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sarahmccorm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I felt like I struggled to really get into any long term reading sessions with this book. Lately when I read I want to sit and read 50-100 pages each session. But with this book I felt like I could only chug out 15-30 pages each time I picked it up. Not sure if that was personal or more so based off of the stylistic choices of the author. Her chapters are very short, around 5 pages per chapter. That probably had something to do with my productivity with this book, because the setting or discussion going on changed so often with each chapter.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Fatphobia, Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Sexual content
This book is largely about the main character Rachel struggling with her extremely toxic relationship with her mother, which culminated in her developing an intense eating disorder. Throughout the book she discusses this at length. There are large discussions of fatphobia and homophobia from various characters throughout the book, and sometimes from the main character herself. There is a LOT of sex in this book as well, so content warning for that.avocadotoastbee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
- with mommy issues
- who like to read smut
- who don't have a history of eating disorders
I fall into two of those categories.
Before I picked up Milk Fed, I knew nothing about the plot. After reading the first few pages, I wasn't sure if I should continue because the depiction of the thoughts and actions of a woman struggling with an eating disorder sounded too familiar and was triggering for me. However, I decided to continue because I liked Melissa Broder's writing style and finished the book in one sitting.
As the book progressed, I noticed that some passages were better written than others. Also, the ending was a little disappointing. This is another sapphic book with no happy ending.
On the other hand, I liked the development of the main character, Rachel, and how Broder portrayed her "overcoming" her eating disorder. It wasn't easy, but a struggle that felt real. Also, Broder's writing style made up for many of the book's shortcomings. She made me laugh several times, even though the topics covered were heavy.
All in all, it's a good book. In my opinion, Milk Fed is made for a niche audience, which explains the differing opinions on this book.
"More than anything, all I'd ever wanted was a total embrace, the embrace of an infinite mother, absolute and divine. I wanted to lose the edges of myself an blend with a woman, enter the amniotic sac and melt away. I wanted a love that was bottomless, unconditional, with zero repercussions. I wanted an infinite yogurt, a mystical and maternal yogurt, something of which I could have unlimited quantities that would not hurt me."
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Fatphobia, Mental illness, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Emotional abuse, and Body shaming
Minor: War
siriface's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Homophobia
charlottedow's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Eating disorder
norabeideineroma's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Islamophobia, Biphobia, Homophobia, Eating disorder, Lesbophobia, Antisemitism, and Alcohol
mlachevre's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Biphobia, Body shaming, and Dysphoria
elderwoodreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Incest, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Alcohol, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Biphobia, Blood, Excrement, Genocide, Vomit, War, and Xenophobia
maxattack's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Fatphobia, Vomit, Sexual content, Mental illness, Body shaming, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Cursing
Minor: Biphobia, Classism, Lesbophobia, Physical abuse, and Violence
The main “love interest” is a mere fetishization of a “type” of human beingvicdasilva's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Body shaming
annietaber's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Eating disorder, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Biphobia, Excrement, Abandonment, and Homophobia