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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
obvious and not so obvious content warnings: anything and EVERYTHING to do with eating disorders, disordered eating, diet culture and weight mention, bullying, homophobia and internalized homophobia, abuse, dysfunctional family dynamics, alcohol abuse, loss of loved ones (ed and non-ed related), mentions of rape
the prose was beautiful, with some dreamlike quality in some parts. but in the end, when i put the book down, i had to ask myself "uhh what?" I'm not saying nor do I think books need to impart some lesson, but I couldn't stop but feel this book, in some part was doing what it set out to criticize. is it really recovery to end up with your former bully, even if they were also sick back then? does abuse come to an end when your abuser leaves you alone at last?
as for the eating disorder part, i think it was triggering (i am not easily triggered by
fictionalized or non-fictionalized accounts of disordered eating as long as they're not in the pro- camp) but reading a book where every ten page or so you get a comparison of two different weights, one categorized as thin and the other as fat, and descriptions of emaciated white girls (the book itself points out non-white non-female people struggling with food as a rarity) is irresponsible when it's about characters whose lives are put in danger as a result of irresponsible diet culture. like i think the only reason I continued despite feeling like this was that i hate to dnf books so i tried to finish as quickly as possible and then forget.
the prose was beautiful, with some dreamlike quality in some parts. but in the end, when i put the book down, i had to ask myself "uhh what?" I'm not saying nor do I think books need to impart some lesson, but I couldn't stop but feel this book, in some part was doing what it set out to criticize. is it really recovery to end up with your former bully, even if they were also sick back then? does abuse come to an end when your abuser leaves you alone at last?
as for the eating disorder part, i think it was triggering (i am not easily triggered by
fictionalized or non-fictionalized accounts of disordered eating as long as they're not in the pro- camp) but reading a book where every ten page or so you get a comparison of two different weights, one categorized as thin and the other as fat, and descriptions of emaciated white girls (the book itself points out non-white non-female people struggling with food as a rarity) is irresponsible when it's about characters whose lives are put in danger as a result of irresponsible diet culture. like i think the only reason I continued despite feeling like this was that i hate to dnf books so i tried to finish as quickly as possible and then forget.
I'm conflicted. This book is incredibly well-written. Truly superb writing. However, I'd hesitate to recommend this book. First off, a trigger warning about detailed and graphic descriptions of eating disorder behaviors (which is likely discernible to the reader by the title/book jacket alone). That aside, I found the depiction of eating disorder treatment to be mostly unrealistic. Parts of the experience are spot-on, but the cluelessness of the treatment center and its methods were extreme. Recovery is grossly simplified - I'm sorry, but it takes a lot more than just slightly eating more food to recover.
I really appreciated that it was a non-straight protagonist struggling with sexuality issues connected with her eating disorder, but ultimately felt like it ultimately fell into the very cliche it calls out (emaciated white girl who suppresses sexual desires into anorexia), which is a minority of those who struggle with eating disorders.
I really appreciated that it was a non-straight protagonist struggling with sexuality issues connected with her eating disorder, but ultimately felt like it ultimately fell into the very cliche it calls out (emaciated white girl who suppresses sexual desires into anorexia), which is a minority of those who struggle with eating disorders.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
really good book, i cried right before the ending, barely a fantasy book- still loved it!
The realist most triggering book about disordered eating. So good but major TW ~ all my ED babes take care of yourself and maybe don’t read this book until you feel very much RECOVERED.
Otherwise, highly recommend. Such an horrifyingly honest portrayal of disordered eating and it’s weight (no pun intended). Intricate, smart and full of beautiful writing about a really real and ugly reality. If you’re unfamiliar with the lived experience of individuals with eating disorders, read this. Open your eyes and your hearts.
Otherwise, highly recommend. Such an horrifyingly honest portrayal of disordered eating and it’s weight (no pun intended). Intricate, smart and full of beautiful writing about a really real and ugly reality. If you’re unfamiliar with the lived experience of individuals with eating disorders, read this. Open your eyes and your hearts.
i enjoy how many people disliked this book seemingly just because it could potentially be triggering. that line of thought when it comes to art is so incredibly asinine. if this book might be triggering for you (which would be plain upon reading the summary), it’s your responsibility to not read it. and if you decide to read it anyway and get triggered, that’s still your responsibility to deal with. art is meant to challenge and interrogate the intricacies of life which will necessarily include difficult and triggering and traumatic subjects. without that, without the ability to discuss and examine these things in creative and interesting ways, what’s the goddamn point?
this book was spectacular. the way it examined the arc of relationships, of eating disorders, and the intricacies therein was so well done. this is also exactly the style of writing i love to read and i don’t even know what to call it besides the broad category of literary fiction. but it’s perhaps a little irreverent? is dipping a single toe into the waters on the outskirts of surrealism? i’m not sure. but it was enchanting to read. and yes, it wasn’t always easy to read. but again, i don’t always look for something that’s going to be all sunshine and roses. i’m interested in unique and true reflections and examinations of life and feeling my own experiences through that. if you’re not interested in that, maybe don’t read this book.
this book was spectacular. the way it examined the arc of relationships, of eating disorders, and the intricacies therein was so well done. this is also exactly the style of writing i love to read and i don’t even know what to call it besides the broad category of literary fiction. but it’s perhaps a little irreverent? is dipping a single toe into the waters on the outskirts of surrealism? i’m not sure. but it was enchanting to read. and yes, it wasn’t always easy to read. but again, i don’t always look for something that’s going to be all sunshine and roses. i’m interested in unique and true reflections and examinations of life and feeling my own experiences through that. if you’re not interested in that, maybe don’t read this book.
I could not get into the characters - wanted to like but it didn’t happen for me unfortunately
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
heartbreaking and dark, this is an incredible perspective on eating disorders. the author explores how trauma is maintained, how healing and recovery are not linear, how forgiveness can be found, how cruel our society is to women. no character is likable but all of them are human. this is not an easy read but powerful and well-written. 5/5