Chloe Doe

by Suzanne Marie Phillips

Chloe Doe chronicles a 17-year-old girl's tumultuous path to becoming a prostitute and her ultimate transformation back into mainstream society. During her therapy at Madeline Parker Institute for Girls, Chloe slowly reveals aspects of her painful past--the stepfather who abused her sister, the mother who let it all happen, the need to love and be loved--and faces the future she finally decides to build for herself. Told in heart-wrenching language that's sometimes caustic, often ironic, and always authentic, Chloe Doe is certain to find a place among classics about teens that triumph over their loneliness and desperation to find hope.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Contemporary, Abuse, Realistic Fiction, Teen, Sex Work

192 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2007

About the author

Suzanne Marie Phillips is the author of 3 critically-acclaimed novels for young adults, as well as the adult thriller, I Will Come for You.

Reviews

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Lynn Crow for TeensReadToo.com

CHLOE DOE is a wrenching, unflinching portrayal of a girl on the fringes of society. On and off the street since the age of eleven, having worked as a prostitute for most of that time, seventeen-year-old Chloe has little patience for the attempts of The Madeline Parker Institute for Girls to reform her. However, as she speaks with the institute's "shrink" and starts to bond with the other girls, she realizes there may be more to life than what she's assumed is her lot.

Chloe, who narrates the story in chapters set in the institute and flashbacks to her life before she ran away from home, has a sharp, engaging voice that will grip readers quickly and bring them into her world. As her story unfolds, those shocked by her situation will come to understand it. Despite her untouchable front, Chloe slowly reveals all the pain and fear that lie underneath, making her sympathetic even though her outlook is so different from that of most teens. Her love for her older sister in particular makes her human and achingly believable.

The novel doesn't shy away from the harsh details of Chloe's life. Thankfully, it manages to relate her awful and sometimes tragic experiences without falling into melodrama or playing up for shock value. Everything is stated simply and directly. While the narrative rarely goes into graphic detail, enough is shown and the rest is skillfully implied to make it clear that Chloe's path has been far from an easy one. This makes her attempts to open up and escape her narrow, hopeless world-view all the more poignant and heroic. As the scenes in the present and the past lead up to the final revelation of what drove her from her home, the reader will be glued to the page. The ending, when it comes, is hopeful without being maudlin or unrealistic.

That realism, ultimately, is what makes CHLOE DOE worthwhile. It acknowledges both the good and the bad, letting readers make their own judgments about Chloe and her life. Many will find themselves wondering, how would they have reacted, if things had gone a similar way for them? Could they have done better? Could they, in the end, rise above it? Chloe's story will inspire them with the idea that no matter how far one falls, there is always hope.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gritty and engrossing. This is an interesting, workman-like addition to young adult literature. It has elements of mystery and family that make it more than just another gloomy look at a grim character in bleak circumstances. Like E.R. Frank's "America," "Chloe Doe" reveals the ache of its title character. Teen prostitution will make some readers uneasy, as will the appropriately realistic language, and such readers will seek out other material. The book is a quick read, even for people who don't normally enjoy reading. Spanish slang is sprinkled in. I can easily see teen readers of "A Child Called It" looking to this title.

[Angie Fehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

When we first meet Chloe, we learn that she is a teenage prostitute who got caught in a prostitution sting. When it's discovered that she is underage, she is sent to the Madeline Parker Institute For Girls, a sort of correctional facility for "wayward" females. The bulk of this novella is told through conversations Chloe has with her therapist, little by little revealing who and what led her to entering into the sex industry before she's even legal to vote. Chloe also shares stories of other girls at the Institute she comes to know and befriend, how they got to where they are. Some of these stories discuss unplanned pregnancies and even one gruesome botched abortion. Chloe's story though is the real kicker. Not only is it tragic but ohh did it make me angry because I know such stories do really exist in the world.

It's a short novel, so it's hard to say too much without risking spoilers. But when you hear Chloe's story, you can't really blame her for feeling forced into the path she chose. I do wish the story itself had had more dramatic tension. Much of the time feels taken up with almost deadened (as far as feeling) retelling of events. Given what she goes through, I was expecting much more anger, much more fight or edge. You don't really get a big impact until near the end, but even then... tragic as you can imagine such circumstances being, I wasn't really left broken by the telling. I also got a little weary with Chloe constantly feeling the need to push the envelope with her therapist, saying things simply for shock value.

This was a decent drama, but I'd like to check out more of Phillips' work in the future to get a better feel for her writing style. I just felt like this book was a little too short to make a fair opinion on whether I'm a fan of hers just yet.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following her arrest for prostitution, seventeen-year-old Chloe lands in the Madeline Parker Institute for Girls. She's cut off from her family, but mostly from herself. Phillips tells the story of Chloe's disjointed life in a disjointed fashion: fragments revealed through slow therapy, emo-laced poems, and flashbacks. Chloe's mind is cluttered, thus so is her story, which is loaded with the Spanish slang learned in her neighborhood. Similar in some ways to America by E. R. Frank (as well as my own Chasing Tail Lights), Chloe Doe is about a teen with too much experience too soon in life, trying to recapture an innocence.

[Alicia Samson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't care for "Chloe Doe" by Suzanne Phillips, because it was confusing the way it went back and forth. The book is about a girl named Chloe that had a really rough childhood. The book flops back and forth between Chloe's current life in The Madeline Parker Institute for Girls and her opening up to her therapist about her childhood and when her sister was alive. She grew up with a mother that always needed a man and smoked like a chimney. Chloe's mother married many times but they never lasted. Chloe's house was always full of smoke and random men while the fridge was empty. Chloe's mother married Walt after a trip to Las Vegas. Shortly after they married Walt started to rape Chloe's sister Camille. Chloe had a very unique but good relationship with her sister. Chloe's mother didn't believe Camille, she said the bruises were an accident. One day Chloe came home to sister dead, naked and laying in the front yard murdered by Walt. After Camille dies Chloe runs away and eventually becomes a prostitute to pay her bills.

The book is told through the first person point of view of Chloe Doe. Her character struggles to open up to her therapist about her dead sister, her mother, running away from home, and being a prostitute. Chloe also struggles with gaining self confidence and faith. Many teenagers could relate to having a piece of crap mother. Chloe's character is a very independent girl with a low self esteem. Chloe feels she don't need anyone but herself.

"Chloe Doe" takes place in The Madeline Parker Institute for Girls. The setting is important because that's where Chloe gets therapy for her issues she has from her rough childhood. The story takes place in modern times. The time period is significant because many of today's teenagers have problems at home that lead them to running away.

There are a lot of themes in "Chloe Doe," but a main one I noticed was letting go of the past. Chloe's childhood and her sister's murder was the reason she did a lot of the things that led her to The Madeline Parker Institute for Girls. As she opened to her therapist she started to feel about herself and her life.

I would recommend "Chloe Doe" to eighth grade students and above because some of the language and events that occur throughout the story. Both males and females would enjoy this book even though it's about prostitution.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of a girl trying to overcome her past, the writter is very descriptive, and though you most likley did not go through the situations the writter is expressing (hopefully) you'll still have an easy time understanding the way she felt.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sad story, but full of hope.

[Sandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

DO NOT CLICK ON THIS BOOK if you're one of my friends and reading this review in an update email. Or anyone out there reading this review, DO. NOT. MARK. IT. AS. TO. READ.

The reason I hate it so much wasn't that it's boring, badly-written, pointless, stupid, or anything like that. I don't despise it just because of the "No one can save you but you" message.

Why, then? BECAUSE THE WHOLE THING IS DISTURBING AND CREEPY AND I WISH I COULD UNREAD THE PARTS I DID READ!!! Looking at the description on Goodreads, you wouldn't know that. They left out the part about, "Oh yeah, and before she went to Madeline Parker, Chloe Doe…"

After I put it in the library return pile, my hands felt all dirty and infected. DO NOT EVEN CONSIDER CHECKING OUT THIS DESPICABLE BOOK.

Ooh, vague review, makes you want to click on it out of curiosity. DON'T.

Do not even TOUCH it ever, ever, ever!!! Unless you're going to destroy it or use it to kindle a fire. Seriously. I am ashamed the very TITLE is defiling my shelves as we speak.

Aaaaaaaaand I'm done ranting now.

[Lilith Moonfae · Rating 4 out of 5]

WARNING! CONTAINS SENSITIVE TOPICS!

The huge warning above is because I have encountered and read a lot of reviews from younger crowds who were terrified after reading this book, some even going to say that they filthy after having read it and are disturbed by it. It's true, the book is about an issue that we can only hope doesn't happen, but the fact is that it does happen; everyday.

Chloe's journey is one that sends a message of finding strength when in the deepest and darkest moments of life. She has a childhood that is filled with abuse and a mother who does nothing to stop it. She becomes a prostitute in order to survive, a job that she shamelessly says she is good at. There are many parts in the story that are gut wrenching and I had to put it down for a moment to fight back tears. It was the holiday season while I was reading it, I didn't exactly feel like crying!

The message is very important in this book and while for some people it is very hard to swallow, it is a short read that demonstrates perseverance.

[Sabrina Rutter · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a fast read, but the topic is a heavy one. I didn't really like the writing style becuase I couldn't tell if there was a conversation going on, Chloe was thinking, or if there was a conversation going on who was talking. It made my head hurt becuase I kept having to slow down so I could figure this it out.
The premise was excellent and could have made this a tear jerker, but again becuase of the writing style I wasn't able to get into it that deeply.

[Susan L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is well-written and the story unfolds just as it should. The whole plot kind of reminded me of the song "What Would You Do?" by City High with the whole prostitution thing, but it went deeper into Chloe's background which was nice. I would've liked more insight in the end though. And I think there was a "message" in there somewhere, which great stories should not have.

Grade: B+

[Alexandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appreciated this book, but not in a large way. It was something new, and a hard topic to tackle; but the overall execution was lacking in my opinion. The prose was a bit confusing, and I felt no attachment to the characters. I thank the author for giving a go at the subject, but it was not the book for me.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chloe Doe is about a 17-year-old girl and her path to becoming a prostitute to having a normal life. she goes to Madeline Parker Institute for Girls. she talks about her past and events while describing her time there.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A VERY realistic and very sad tale of a teen prostitute. It is raw and painful and the writing style represents this with stream of consciousness, slang, flashbacks, and Chloe's voice. People who like Ellen Hopkins' books should enjoy this one.

[Steve Lowery]

sad yet moving

[Anne Tibbets · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't love many books. I loved this one. Highly recommended.

[Emily Hobson · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. A quick but very sad read. Typical plot, typical characters!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ended-1.16.08

[Zoë Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since the library is closed I'm digging through my giant bookcase of primarily unread books and the shorter ones are definitely calling to me first, which is how I came to finally read Chloe Doe by Suzanne Phillips almost 12 years after it was first published–I don't think I've owned it that long, but it's hard to tell. This is a young adult novel about a 17-year-old girl who became a prostitute, and it switches between her earlier life with her sister growing up, and her time in a home for girls where she is sent after she is caught and where she is receiving therapy. 

The story of Chloe Doe is a tragic and emotional one, and I thought the conversations between her and her therapist were heartbreaking, but there's not much pushing the book forward. I don't necessarily need a strong plot, but I also had a hard time connecting with Chloe and as an adult reading a YA book, I found this one a bit too simple at times. There wasn't a lot of depth to the characters or interactions, and despite the short length, it felt pretty long when I was reading it. I also didn't love the consciousness writing style. Overall, there were some promising elements to Chloe Doe, but I don't feel like I missed out on that much leaving it on my bookcase for so long and I will be donating it now so that hopefully somebody else can enjoy it more than I did. 

[Rachel Goit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chloe Doe has been living on the streets for 3 years. After running away, Chloe resorts to prostitution to earn money, and is eventually taken to a hospital for people like her. Throughout the book we learn or Chloes story and what brought her here.

Although I wasn't a fan of some of the ideas this ended up being a decent book. I read it in less than a day, and I'm sure many of the details flew over my head. And I definitely ended up strongly disliking Chloes mother. Obviously a darker book so, not one I will be quick to rate superbly highly.

Overall Rating: 3.5 stars

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not really sure why this book got such bad reviews. Granted, at the beginning I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it and I was having a hard time understanding what was going on. But as the book progressed and I started to understand where the storyline was going, I really enjoyed reading Chloe’s story. It was heartbreaking and very emotional but ended very hopeful. I would like to look into reading one of this authors books again.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is listed as a Young Adult read, but it is pretty intense for that. It deals with sexual abuse, murder, prostitution and homelessness. There is also the institutional aspect. It’s not graphic in its description, but still better suited for mature readers.

[Aliyah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated how this gritty, YA book was written. It kept me wanting to finish one more chapter. Phillips writes Chloe’s story of survival in a way that seems encouraging and not like a victim of circumstance.

[Jeanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4

[Lindsey Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t great. Goodwill find and a book that will be donated back.

[Sierra 🌸 · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I didn't really like this book. I didn't like the writing style. I didn't like the story. I didn't like the characters. So yeah... With the writing style, I didn't like the way the dialogue was, how Chloe said the stuff that was in quotes and the stuff that wasn't in quotes out loud so that we never really knew what she was saying out loud and what she was just thinking. I also didn't like how vulgar this story was. I mean I don't want to sound like a priss or anything, but the vulgarity just didn't fit for me. It doesn't bother me when it seems necessary and like it fits in with the rest of the story. Here, the moments of obscenity and vulgarity felt like it was thrown in just to make people uncomfortable. Something that really irritated me was the whole Madeline Parker Institute for girls thing. It really irritates me when places like that win. I mean, I don't want Chloe to stay all broken, especially knowing what happened when she was a kid, but I did NOT want Madeline Parker to win. I just hate when places like that try to force changes on people and they're so sure that they're right and I don't want them to be. This sounds super bad, but honestly I was kind of satisfied with what happened to Mary Christine, because of that. That was definitely one time that Madeline Parker did not win. I didn't like the storyline just because it was really sad and I don't like reading about stuff that's sad and heartbreaking like that. **SPOILERS AHEAD** So what happened with Camille was super awful. First of all, I want to know what actually happened. Like at first I really thought she killed herself to get away from Walt. But I guess Walt killed her, which is even worse. But I don't understand what happened. Like why was she naked in the backyard? How exactly did Walt kill her? Just what happened?! Their mom made me so furious. I wanted to kill her. I can't believe she was on Walt's side while he was molesting her daughter let alone after he killed her. I mean what kind of mother wants to stay with a man after he kills her daughter?! I would have ran away, too. I'm just happy that Walt went to prison, because I might have had to burn this book if he got away with that. So I'm happy that Chloe was able to get help, I'm just really mad that it was Madeline Parker that helped her. Something that absolutely drove me nuts the whole time I was reading this book was the cover. A big part of this book is the Spanish words throughout and she talks about how she can almost get away with it because she has brown eyes and brown hair. If you're going to put the main character on the cover of your book and then describe what she looks like, THEY HAVE TO MATCH. The cover of my book has a girl with blue eyes and light hair. That is just extremely lazy publishing in my opinion and it really pisses me off.

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grabbed this book to read off of my shelf because I was looking for something short and fast, boy did I pick right haha. The main reason I bought this book was because the cover intrigued me, and then so did the summary. This is a sad, yet inspiring story of a girl overcoming a bad childhood and a tragedy. I really enjoyed this book because it felt real and I think that a lot of people could relate to it. I did read a few reviews of people saying the subject matter was too graphic, I disagree. I felt like the actions were only assumed not gone into great detail about. We know what happened but without going in depth.
I really think that Chloe was a strong character. She had her childhood stolen, and then was saved I guess you could say. She was trying to, not start over, but to overcome what she had gone through. Chloe showed a tremendous amount of growth.
I wouldn't recommend this to anyone looking for a fluffy read because that is not this book. I will definitely be reading more by this author.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young woman who has been a prostitute is now in a school for troubled girls, where she matches wits with a therapist, he trying to help her find her lost self, and she dragging her feet as she doesn't want to remember why she left home and began living on the street. A bit choppy and disconnected; the story shifts back and forth from the present to her childhood, and everything meets at the end when we discover that her sister was molested and finally murdered by her stepfather and her mother still took his side. Chloe leaves home because she can't trust her mother any more. It does end on a positive beat, with Chloe getting out of the school, finding a decent job and reiterating that she has the courage to continue a straight lifestyle. Edgy, mature themes for older teen readers.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chloe Doe is about a teenage prostitute who is brought to a correctional center for girls. throughout this book you learn about a girl who was driven to the streets after having such a horrifying childhood and home life. Chloe grew up with a step father who both physically and sexually abused her and her sister. He eventually killed her sister and Chloe ran away after becoming so fed up. She began to work on the streets at the age of 14. During the book she finally lets her guard down to her therapist at The Madeline Parker School for Girls. There she learns to let go of her past and move forward. She learns she's capable of much more. This book is moving and raw, and tells a very true story that most of us don't want to believe.

[Sara Comuzzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

una storia forte, cruda, al limite. Chloe che si prostituisce da quando ha 12 anni. che è scappata da casa dopo che il patrigno, uno dei numerosi amanti di sua madre ha ucciso sua sorella, Camille, la sua unica amica. lo stesso patrigno che le ha violentate per notti e notti. e che la madre si ostina a difendere a non vedere blaterando un "è mio marito". che schifo.
Chloe scappa. la vita da strada, la vita da vagabonda, poi da prostituta.
viene presa dalla polizia, e mandata in un ospedale psichiatrico. dove con l'aiuto di uno psichiatra riuscirà a far luce sui suoi demoni.
ben scritto, breve, incisivo, riflessivo. una storia tragica, inumana, violenta.
poi, la speranza, la rinascita, il ricostruirsi.