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4.42 AVERAGE
4.42 AVERAGE
This quiet graphic memoir about a girl’s life with an eating disorder will tear you apart. The art—all shades of gray—is gorgeous, with a ball of black squiggle following her everywhere she goes, telling her not to eat a thing. Lighter Than My Shadow is the story of Katie Green’s struggle and recovery, and, as the forward notes, the book she wishes had been there for her.
From the Best Books We Read in December 2017 at Book Riot.
From the Best Books We Read in December 2017 at Book Riot.
WOW, this graphic novel is a fucking gut punch. This was profoundly uncomfortable to read precisely because of its honesty, vulnerability, and rawness; and because of how I could see echoes of my own psychological struggles around body image & control in Katie's story. Katie's visual storytelling really captures the emotional experience of Katie's eating disorders & sexual trauma, which makes Katie's gradual recovery that much more triumphant.
This was a powerful and emotional graphic novel tale of anorexia, eating disorders, mental health, and so much more.
She starts out as a picky eater. Then this-this is the journey of a woman who went through so much. Trying to compete with her perfectionism and being the best Katie cuts out all junk food for Lent. But by lent's end, Katie is still engaging in eating habits that are classic signs of anorexia nervosa. She thinks she is fat. She chews her bites in a number of times before swallowing. She is fanatic about her food and what she puts in her body. But she is not admitted to a hospital instead she is sent to therapy and is to follow a meal plan.
And she makes a great recovery. Only to slip again, as is the journey with an eating disorder (ED) can go. Then everything comes to a head and then she starts back to zero in the feelings of control. This is huge for Katie and I am not going to spoiler anymore about the memoir.
The art, at times, seems very similar. As in figures look too similar. Targeted for an older audience due to its content but is not explicated. Following the graphic memoir was easy, fun, and engaging. Relatable into how the feeling of having an ED, as in the feeling that your stomach is booing right before your eyes or the negative talk that the mind has.
I loved this book and all that was in it. It was compelling to look into a person with anorexia that didn't fall into the lines of hospital/residential treatment/PHP/IOP programming. A pretty thick memoir (over 500 pages) of getting to know a great woman named Katie and her journey with an eating disorder.
And she makes a great recovery. Only to slip again, as is the journey with an eating disorder (ED) can go. Then everything comes to a head and then she starts back to zero in the feelings of control. This is huge for Katie and I am not going to spoiler anymore about the memoir.
The art, at times, seems very similar. As in figures look too similar. Targeted for an older audience due to its content but is not explicated. Following the graphic memoir was easy, fun, and engaging. Relatable into how the feeling of having an ED, as in the feeling that your stomach is booing right before your eyes or the negative talk that the mind has.
I loved this book and all that was in it. It was compelling to look into a person with anorexia that didn't fall into the lines of hospital/residential treatment/PHP/IOP programming. A pretty thick memoir (over 500 pages) of getting to know a great woman named Katie and her journey with an eating disorder.
I wasn’t expecting to finish this book today but I didn’t really feel like doing anything else I liked it but again with the emotional roller coaster!
This graphic novel was just amazing. I loved the art and how the colour of the pages were used in the story. A big comic book but totally worth the time.
Engrossing personal story with a lot of potential triggers. Finding yourself and exploring your independence can be dangerous.
This book is hefty. Over 500 pages of memoir.
And the style resembles [a: Lucy Knisley|731384|Lucy Knisley|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1361051635p2/731384.jpg]'s work, but gets a lot darker in content. There's a little of Tyranny by [a: Lesley Fairfield|2894131|Lesley Fairfield|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1309388308p2/2894131.jpg] in there, style- as well as content-wise. The visual metaphor work is good.
For me, as someone who reads a lot of GN memoirs, the newest aspect was the plotline.
Good stuff.
I'd list a bunch of "read-withs," but you can basically just look at my Graphic Memoir shelf.
Spoiler
Especially when there are creeps out there waiting for you to find them.This book is hefty. Over 500 pages of memoir.
And the style resembles [a: Lucy Knisley|731384|Lucy Knisley|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1361051635p2/731384.jpg]'s work, but gets a lot darker in content. There's a little of Tyranny by [a: Lesley Fairfield|2894131|Lesley Fairfield|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1309388308p2/2894131.jpg] in there, style- as well as content-wise. The visual metaphor work is good.
For me, as someone who reads a lot of GN memoirs, the newest aspect was the
Spoiler
new age healing/sexual abuseGood stuff.
I'd list a bunch of "read-withs," but you can basically just look at my Graphic Memoir shelf.
When I saw this comic in hoopla, I had two thoughts. This is either going to make me cry or trigger my overthinking. Surprisingly, it did neither. It just made me think a hit and then made me feel sad for the main character in the story. I also wanted to hug her and tell her to not give up an to keep fighting.
But I also need to do the same. With my over thinking & anxiety (followed along by slight depression). I do multiple things to help but sadly when I stop it kind of pops back up. Yet it's okay I've cried a few times this week and got my feelings out. I really just want to get back into journaling and drawing regularly. It made me feel better and happy since I had some time alone. So basically, this comic was a way more wake up call for me to not give in and to really get my damn life together. (I would definitely reread this again.)
But I also need to do the same. With my over thinking & anxiety (followed along by slight depression). I do multiple things to help but sadly when I stop it kind of pops back up. Yet it's okay I've cried a few times this week and got my feelings out. I really just want to get back into journaling and drawing regularly. It made me feel better and happy since I had some time alone. So basically, this comic was a way more wake up call for me to not give in and to really get my damn life together. (I would definitely reread this again.)
4.5 stars - While this graphic memoir has incredible storytelling and an expressive art style, it definitely comes along with a list of trigger warnings. To name a few: eating disorders, mental illness, ptsd, and sexual assault.
This was often tough to read but well worth it in the end. I can see this being extremely valuable for readers of any age going through or having recovered from their own hardships.
This was often tough to read but well worth it in the end. I can see this being extremely valuable for readers of any age going through or having recovered from their own hardships.
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced