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haleybre's review against another edition
4.0
The characters and plot were great, just thought it would be more focused on the eating disorder. Much of the book talked about bullying at school and Donnie's friends, Chris and Bean, didn't have much backstory to go on.
laurenmars's review against another edition
5.0
This was so, so good. I identified with Donny throughout, although he seemed really immature for a high school boy at times (which I realize seems like somewhat of an oxymoron after writing this sentence, but he seemed to be more like a nine-year-old boy at times), but I understood and could sympathize with his pain to the extent that I cried at the end.
perfect_escape's review against another edition
5.0
This was a really good book. I'm pretty sure I got teary-eyed. I really feel bad for Donnie. [3 I recommend this book, particuarly to teenagers.
gugu's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gabyreadsalot's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5 stars!
TW: Anorexia, Death of a loved one, Self Harm
In the past, I've been very open with my struggles with both anxiety and depression, and my journey to seek recovery; anyone who knows me well enough to call me a friend has probably dealt with my numerous panic attacks, cry sessions and self-doubts, it's not something I try to hide, since it's simply a part of me.(if you can't love me at my worst then you can't love me at my best am i right?) However, what most people DON'T know is that my journey to recovery actually began with eating disorder tendencies, and my realization that something was seriously wrong with me and my desire to change was due to how those tendencies manifested themselves, almost costing me my life. I feel that simply because I was never diagnosed or hospitalized, my struggles are less certified. So though I don't consider myself in recovery for any eating disorder, and I would never say I understand something in that community's struggle, it's something that I hold very dearly in my heart.
I've always been thin, and though I don't love my body, it was never something I would sacrifice my physical health for to change. I went through a period of depression where my appetite completely ceased and even when it returned I didn't want to eat. I didn't have the motivation to sit down and prepare a meal, and eventually I didn't want to eat at all. I felt hyper-aware of the food I was eating and for a period of time, I even tracked what i was eating and the nutrients I was getting. My relationship with food, though neither orthorexic or anoxeric, was clearly unnatural. I LIKED feeling hungry, I felt successful. It was only when I was sent to the hospital after I fainted due to malnutrition that I realized that simply because I was content with my body weight didn't mean my relationship with food wasn't flawed. Just because I didn't vomit my meals up or I was below a target weight didn't mean something was wrong with me. I made significant improvements and though I wouldn't consider myself perfect, i feel less controlled by the foods i eat and I'm glad about that.
However, some people aren't lucky like me; they won't view that fainting spell as a warning bell that they need to change their behaviour, they just view it as a subtle transparent checkpoint towards their morphed view of perfection, not realizing that simply because they don't fit the stereotypical views of eating disorder that their struggles are any less serious. or important.
It was this very idea that I stupidly ignored when first starting this book; the characters seemed childish and annoying(which like isn't completely wrong) and the victim didn't seem to be severe enough to warrant an important story dedicated to them, however that's what makes this book that important; the very notion that any warning sign, any sign that things aren't going as they should should be viewed as important before they spiral out of control and become impossible to solve.
The mundane simplicity of the story initially turned me off but it ultimately drew me in, the development of Karen's mental health journey from a seemingly normal one, to utter loss of control is more accurate than sudden colossal damage. It opened my eyes to what my life could've become; Karen fainted and instead of following the same path as I did, she turned the other way and that is SO important. It took me a long time to realize how valid my parents concerns for me were, the constant doctor's visits(that ultimately diagnosed me with something else lol) that I hated helped me grow into this person I am instead of the one I could've become.
This story isn't only reflective of me though; it's reflective of all the Karen's in the world and Donnie's in the world; all the victims and family members of mental health that don't seek charge of mental health issues because they don't deem them serious enough, but any issue is a valid issue, it can only get worse without intervention. Treat every issue equally, and let less people suffer the same fate.
I hated this book enough at one point that i wished to DNF it, but I'm so glad I didn't as i learned so much from it and I'm hoping you will too.
TW: Anorexia, Death of a loved one, Self Harm
In the past, I've been very open with my struggles with both anxiety and depression, and my journey to seek recovery; anyone who knows me well enough to call me a friend has probably dealt with my numerous panic attacks, cry sessions and self-doubts, it's not something I try to hide, since it's simply a part of me.(if you can't love me at my worst then you can't love me at my best am i right?) However, what most people DON'T know is that my journey to recovery actually began with eating disorder tendencies, and my realization that something was seriously wrong with me and my desire to change was due to how those tendencies manifested themselves, almost costing me my life. I feel that simply because I was never diagnosed or hospitalized, my struggles are less certified. So though I don't consider myself in recovery for any eating disorder, and I would never say I understand something in that community's struggle, it's something that I hold very dearly in my heart.
I've always been thin, and though I don't love my body, it was never something I would sacrifice my physical health for to change. I went through a period of depression where my appetite completely ceased and even when it returned I didn't want to eat. I didn't have the motivation to sit down and prepare a meal, and eventually I didn't want to eat at all. I felt hyper-aware of the food I was eating and for a period of time, I even tracked what i was eating and the nutrients I was getting. My relationship with food, though neither orthorexic or anoxeric, was clearly unnatural. I LIKED feeling hungry, I felt successful. It was only when I was sent to the hospital after I fainted due to malnutrition that I realized that simply because I was content with my body weight didn't mean my relationship with food wasn't flawed. Just because I didn't vomit my meals up or I was below a target weight didn't mean something was wrong with me. I made significant improvements and though I wouldn't consider myself perfect, i feel less controlled by the foods i eat and I'm glad about that.
However, some people aren't lucky like me; they won't view that fainting spell as a warning bell that they need to change their behaviour, they just view it as a subtle transparent checkpoint towards their morphed view of perfection, not realizing that simply because they don't fit the stereotypical views of eating disorder that their struggles are any less serious. or important.
It was this very idea that I stupidly ignored when first starting this book; the characters seemed childish and annoying(which like isn't completely wrong) and the victim didn't seem to be severe enough to warrant an important story dedicated to them, however that's what makes this book that important; the very notion that any warning sign, any sign that things aren't going as they should should be viewed as important before they spiral out of control and become impossible to solve.
The mundane simplicity of the story initially turned me off but it ultimately drew me in, the development of Karen's mental health journey from a seemingly normal one, to utter loss of control is more accurate than sudden colossal damage. It opened my eyes to what my life could've become; Karen fainted and instead of following the same path as I did, she turned the other way and that is SO important. It took me a long time to realize how valid my parents concerns for me were, the constant doctor's visits(that ultimately diagnosed me with something else lol) that I hated helped me grow into this person I am instead of the one I could've become.
This story isn't only reflective of me though; it's reflective of all the Karen's in the world and Donnie's in the world; all the victims and family members of mental health that don't seek charge of mental health issues because they don't deem them serious enough, but any issue is a valid issue, it can only get worse without intervention. Treat every issue equally, and let less people suffer the same fate.
I hated this book enough at one point that i wished to DNF it, but I'm so glad I didn't as i learned so much from it and I'm hoping you will too.
toryhallelujah's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I don't think I've ever read an eating disorder book before that wasn't from the sufferer's POV...although it's unfair to just say that EDs affect just one person, as Skin makes abundantly clear -- they affect families and friends and communities. I was heartbroken by the younger brother trying to save his big sister, because I could so clearly picture MY little brother doing the same for me.
I doubt there's ever been a more despicable human being written than the father of this family. It's no wonder his daughter was as fucked-up as she was, poor thing.
Compelling.
I doubt there's ever been a more despicable human being written than the father of this family. It's no wonder his daughter was as fucked-up as she was, poor thing.
Compelling.
meganmilks's review against another edition
4.0
answers "does the anorexic die?" plot question within first three pages and centers on the younger brother and the impact of his sister's illness on him and his family. also the mechanisms of power and discontent within their family that contribute to her illness. vrettos is terrific with character and psychology. something was disorienting about the pacing and the sequencing of time; the story came off as choppy in parts.
akweley_mazarae's review against another edition
3.0
Rating: 3.4
This book was extremely powerful, partially because of it's subject matter, but to me, more because of the point of view...the only things that bothered me about it had nothing to do with the author at all, really, but with I guess what you could call "white privilege"...I'm not talking about eating disorders (that's something I can understand), but more about the way the kids talked to their parents...perhaps that's a part of American culture, but it was something that severely bothered me. That, and the way the siblings interacted with each other. But the characters were relatable and understandable, and it really does touch your heart.
This book was extremely powerful, partially because of it's subject matter, but to me, more because of the point of view...the only things that bothered me about it had nothing to do with the author at all, really, but with I guess what you could call "white privilege"...I'm not talking about eating disorders (that's something I can understand), but more about the way the kids talked to their parents...perhaps that's a part of American culture, but it was something that severely bothered me. That, and the way the siblings interacted with each other. But the characters were relatable and understandable, and it really does touch your heart.
librarykate's review against another edition
3.0
This book is sad. It starts with the death of the sister and then is told in flashback from the point of view of Donnie, the brother. Throughout the story, Donnie tries desperately to hold his family together and as he does this, he finds himself slowly disappearing. After Karen dies, Donnie has the chance to become who he would have been without her anorexia. This is the first book about eating disorders that I have read where the girl with an eating disorder dies, yet for that reason, it is realistic. The story is about Donnie and his journey and watching what is happening to his life and his sister.
bookmerized's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you Goodreads for suggesting this book. The narrator is Donnie, an unpopular boy, who is living in the midst of his parents fighting, his own image, and his sister's anorexia. I loved that this was from a teenage boy's perspective. I really felt connected to some of the language and the feelings regarding death. This book broke my heart beautifully.