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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I will not restate other's trigger warnings for the eating disorder content in the book. It does mention weight and calories, however I found it to not be glamorized and as someone well into recovery I found it enlightening without being triggering. I would tread carefully if disorder eating/ED are issues you face, but I don't think they would entirely preclude you from reading this beautiful, dark book. I don't often underline fiction books, but there were so many poignant one-liners here that I felt I had to save them for later. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from the author.
4.5 stars. This book was beautifully written but was haunting at the same time. I found myself entranced by it in multiple ways: the writing, the characters, its commentary of “wellness programs” and more. I would recommend some caution to anyone who has ever suffered from an ED or disordered eating—it was definitely very triggering at times. However, it was one of the best portrayals of how society has corrupted people (women especially) into constantly thinking and analyzing everything they eat, and how that manifests in different types of EDs, not just anorexia/bulemia—which are often the only ones discussed in books about disorders eating.
I couldn’t put this book down. This book focuses on twins Rose and Lily, who both develop unhealthy relationships with eating, albeit opposite relationships. Rose stops eating, and Lily can’t stop eating. After a year of living in an underfunded eating disorder clinic, Rose decides she has to get out even if she’s not better, because Lily has begun a relationship with an abusive man who turns her on to dieting. Suddenly, Lily and Rose are starting to look more alike again.
Diana Clarke’s prose is so unique. The book is Rose’s inner monologue, which doesn’t always make sense, and often jumps backward in time and to random facts she has acquired through reading. The book explores Rose’s issues with her body, not just in regard to her weight but also how to feel comfortable existing as an individual when there is another body in the world that looks like hers. It is also a story of how society’s expectations even beyond weight, such as compulsory heterosexuality, can be the impetus to the type of self-controlling behaviors characteristic of anorexia.
I look forward to reading Clarke’s future work.
Diana Clarke’s prose is so unique. The book is Rose’s inner monologue, which doesn’t always make sense, and often jumps backward in time and to random facts she has acquired through reading. The book explores Rose’s issues with her body, not just in regard to her weight but also how to feel comfortable existing as an individual when there is another body in the world that looks like hers. It is also a story of how society’s expectations even beyond weight, such as compulsory heterosexuality, can be the impetus to the type of self-controlling behaviors characteristic of anorexia.
I look forward to reading Clarke’s future work.
emotional
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rose and Lily are identical twins. They are both struggling with positive body image, which seems to be even more intense having a walking talking mirror that they each feel the need to compete with as well as stand apart from.
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This was a strange book. The first half-ish felt really dystopian to me (not complaining) and almost too scary to be real. Which is why I think I enjoyed it so much. It was also so true to real life, not a this is what could happen scenario, but a this is what happens. How the main media, social media, and society perpetuate the need for perfection that is unattainable.
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The second half of the book was such a huge shift in the way it felt from the first half. I loved the way it was done. I definitely struggled reading this. As someone who struggles with body positivity and mental illness at times I felt reading was exhausting. But I also felt that it was well done. I don’t feel it villainozed the characters or that it romanticized eating disorders. These characters were flawed, human and relatable
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This was a strange book. The first half-ish felt really dystopian to me (not complaining) and almost too scary to be real. Which is why I think I enjoyed it so much. It was also so true to real life, not a this is what could happen scenario, but a this is what happens. How the main media, social media, and society perpetuate the need for perfection that is unattainable.
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The second half of the book was such a huge shift in the way it felt from the first half. I loved the way it was done. I definitely struggled reading this. As someone who struggles with body positivity and mental illness at times I felt reading was exhausting. But I also felt that it was well done. I don’t feel it villainozed the characters or that it romanticized eating disorders. These characters were flawed, human and relatable
A true gut punch to my emotions. This book is trigger heavy as it does deal with eating disorders. What struck with is the dual timelines of the two sisters and how they almost went in completely different directions. This story broke my heart and certainly left a lasting impact on me.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book definitely needs a content warning for eating disorders; it has the potential to be very triggering. I wish some resources had been included at the end of the book.
I like Clarke's writing style. Her concepts and how she explored eating disorders was unique and engaging and made me think about my own relationship with food and society and my body.
I like Clarke's writing style. Her concepts and how she explored eating disorders was unique and engaging and made me think about my own relationship with food and society and my body.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Xenophobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Vomit
Minor: Rape
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
woooooof, huge huge gigantic trigger warning for this book. Do not come anywhere near it if you have struggled with eating disorders in the past or currently.
That being said, this is a strong debut. The writing is provocative and the pacing is intense, I didn’t want to stop reading. This one will take a while to process.
That being said, this is a strong debut. The writing is provocative and the pacing is intense, I didn’t want to stop reading. This one will take a while to process.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Couldn't put it down. One that will stay with me for a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, Vomit
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Rape