Natural Beauty

A Novel

De: Ling Ling Huang

Narrado por: Carolyn Kang

Winner of the Lambda Literary Award in Bisexual Fiction

Longlisted for the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel

Sly, surprising, and razor-sharp, Natural Beauty follows a young musician into an elite, beauty-obsessed world where perfection comes at a staggering cost.

Our narrator produces a sound from the piano no one else at the Conservatory can. She employs a technique she learned from her parents—also talented musicians—who fled China in the wake of the Cultural Revolution. But when an accident leaves her parents debilitated, she abandons her future for a job at a high-end beauty and wellness store in New York City.

Holistik is known for its remarkable products and procedures—from remoras that suck out cheap Botox to eyelash extensions made of spider silk—and her new job affords her entry into a world of privilege and gives her a long-awaited sense of belonging. She becomes transfixed by Helen, the niece of Holistik’s charismatic owner, and the two strike up a friendship that hazily veers into more. All the while, our narrator is plied with products that slim her thighs, smooth her skin, and lighten her hair. But beneath these creams and tinctures lies something sinister.

A piercing, darkly funny debut, Natural Beauty explores questions of consumerism, self-worth, race, and identity—and leaves readers with a shocking and unsettling truth.

An excellent horror novel

I wasn't expecting a scathing critique of the beauty and wellness industry in a horror novel, but it was a pleasant surprise. This book took some absolutely wild turns; I can honestly say I had no idea where it was going next. The only reader I would not recommend it to are those who dislike body horror. I thought it was great, but if you're not into that you're going to have a bad time.

Moving, gruesome, beautiful

I just listened to the other “Beauty industry as horror” 2023 book, Rouge, and was worried that this would be very similar, but oh boy I should not have worried - this is an astoundingly unique book, and (at least for me) much deeper and more moving. It’s about beauty, yes, but also music and illness and ambition and parents and race and culture… all presented with suspense and gore and compelling writing, and with a great narrator.

The vivid imagery!

It starts out a little mundane but ends up so captivating. I listening to it in two days! So good!

Science Fiction vs Concert Pianist

Weird well told story of the quest for beauty and immortality. I enjoyed and recommend.

Great Read Creative

This is one of the most beautifully written books! I get so tired of authors who use repetition to beef up their volume. Wildly imaginative story and kept me anxious to get back to it when life interrupted my listening. The performance was excellent as well and suited the characters perfectly. Highly recommend.

Good debut but predictable

Check trigger warmings but overall was predictable but it brings a good conversation about beauty standards and how we think we could achieve perfection.

Loved the creepy/sci fi aspects!

There are parts that I had to push through (chapter 11), but I think the slow burn is intentional and Id say its worth it. The writing is really beautiful and imaginative at times and I loved all the creepy/horror/sci-fi esque twists and turns.

Pleasantly surprised!

Bought this cause it said it was a Beauty horror and sounded interesting. The story was amazing! Body horror but not too disgusting. Definitely recommend!

unlikable characters, but crazy ass plot

I loved mostly the idea of this book. The delivery at times made me hate this book and want to stop and actually give up, but I continued so it was still enjoyable to that matter. Those last couple of chapters were insane. I did not see a lot of that shit happening honestly, even the turning point was kind of Cray Cray.

Bittersweet

Soft sci-fi horror that makes you think, remember, and consider what you value most in yourself and others. Deeply relatable and emotional, but also really disgusting and weird—in a good way.