Book Review by Heidi Simmons
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Chemical Pink
Katie Arnoldi
Fiction
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The Pygmalion narrative is always a fun read. Whether good or bad, it’s great to see a character change, blossom and emerge anew. In Katie Arnold’s Chemical Pink (Overlook, 270 pages), this may be one of the most extreme makeovers in literature.
Under the tutelage of Charles Worthington, Aurora, an amateur bodybuilder and single mother, becomes a champion, but not without serious costs to her body and mind.
Worthington is a wealthy pervert and control freak who wants to create the perfect woman. One whom he can mold, manipulate and misuse. Aurora is a naive girl from Georgia. She feels guilty about her twelve-year-old her daughter, Amy, who lives with Aurora’s resentful and angry mother back home. But the only thing Aurora truly loves is her body.
Aurora works out at the world famous Gold’s Gym in Venice, California, where Worthington spots her. He recruits her — buys her — with an exclusive contract for sex and re-sculpting. He purchases her a Porsche, rents her a beautiful home and hires a hard-ass misogynistic and masochistic pimp trainer. Aurora’s only dispensation is that she’s able to bring her daughter to live with her.
Soon Aurora is put on a drug regiment and bizarre diet to bulk-up. The drugs eventually give her a deep voice and a miniature penis — neither of which is reversible. Tormented and abused, she struggles to build not only her body but also her relationship with Amy. When competition day arrives, she weighs 185 pounds of solid muscle.
I won’t tell you how it ends for Aurora. But this inside look into the world of women’s bodybuilding is not pretty. Not only is Aurora’s body changed forever but so is her life.
Author Arnoldi was a bodybuilder herself. Her knowledge of the sport(?) and sub-culture as well as the abuse and abundance of drug use, gives the story a scary authenticity. However, Arnoldi does not write as if the narrative is a case study. Rather, the bodybuilding world is only the backdrop. If you are looking for training tips, this is not the book. There is the naming of drugs such as Aldactone, Clembuteral, Deca-Durabolin, Humilane R, Nolvadex, Testosterone Propionate to name a few. Arnoldi never defines or mentions the title Chemical Pink, but it can be assumed it is a concoction taken in an attempt to gain a superior physique.
Chemical Pink is really just a story of a hurt and damaged woman who falls victim to a perverse body obsession. Many women deal with this type a problem and they don’t even go to a gym. Aurora’s desire is fueled by her need to be the best at something! And to be loved and respected. Sadly, when her pathology meets up with Worthington’s, it becomes a terrifying and hideous disaster. For both of them.
This is not a book for the squeamish. The sex acts are over-the-top and revolting. The transformation her body experiences are dreadful and horrifying. However, Chemical Pink is an excellent read. Arnoldi is an astute judge of character and a terrific storyteller. She writes with wit and wisdom. The hard to put down book is made up of short chapters that make for a quick read. Chemical Pink may be the most twisted version of My Fair Lady ever!
