Reviews

Appetites: Why Women Want by Caroline Knapp

brenna_kcw's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

I really enjoyed this memoir, especially the attention to providing both anecdotes and empirical information. I thought some of the ways she talked about childbirth were a bit heavy handed. It was a reflective read and I’d be curious to read her other memoirs. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder

Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Misogyny

jade_isyue's review

4.0

this book took me by the throat and throttled me.

kcmc59's review

5.0

I have always had issues with weight and body image. This book was one of the most helpful and insightful to me. I wept through the first chapter because I kept hearing myself described - and I didn't feel crazy because of it.

mangosteem's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

3.75

amandayounglund's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.5

victoriathuyvi's review against another edition

5.0

Imagine a world where women are not taught to be preoccupied with their bodies and looks and suppressing their needs and desires. Just imagine...

missterremoto's review against another edition

5.0

Caroline le ha dado voz a algo que no he hablado con nadie, y se lo agradezco.

bookie_cookie's review against another edition

5.0

Even though Appetites was written nearly 20 years ago, it still serves up a painfully accurate reflection on how women’s appetite for freedom and identity are influenced by our family and society. Knapp dives into her own struggle with anorexia to offer a lens on how food can be a source of control in a world that always gives its opinion on who and how women should be.

anneliehyatt's review against another edition

5.0

If you are a woman, this book is a must-read. Knapp's dissection of a woman's appetites both illuminated many of the patterns I had noticed in myself and my female friends -- in the way we speak about ourselves to each other, and the way we speak about each other. It also helped me dissect my relationship with my mother. During the time of the pandemic, when many of us hunger for many things that we can simply not fill, the desire to be fed is more demanding than ever. It makes me look forward for breaking out of my endless cycle of self-analysis and actually changing my life once I am able to.

I can't recommend this highly enough, both in terms of content and in terms of Knapp's beautiful writing.

raizelmf's review against another edition

5.0

This book is so important to me I'm so happy it exists.