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xosarahirene's review against another edition
4.0
This is a tough read, especially for those who have experienced ED firsthand, but includes many layers of examining mental health that make this a compelling story. Sisterhood, sexuality, trauma, abuse, self image, what constitutes health, and acceptance of identity.
dpageteach00's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
4.0
A very difficult read. Please read the triggers before reading . Major disordered eating talk and tactics which can be very very harmful to those in recovery, as a former anorexic, this book, beautifully depicts the pain, sorrow, and major ups and downs of recovery, and of being in the midst of disordered eating. This story follows two twins with a seemingly normal childhood, until it no longer isn’t. Rosie and Lily have a very codependent relationship, one gains weight while the other loses. This book has an almost satirical view of disordered eating, and the effects of culture and society on young women as mentioned before this is the truest recount of disordered eating, I can recall, saying, and doing many of the things that Rosie did, a great informative read to glimpse into the world of disordered eating, and even more importantly the road to recovery
lauralhart's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a difficult read. Rewarding, yes, but difficult. Triggering. So brutally honest and unflinching. Rose and Lily Winters are one of the most interesting pairs of twins I’ve ever encountered in literature, brought to life lovingly and expertly by Clarke. The way they could taste each other’s emotions but also be so clueless of each other’s situations... brilliant and heartbreaking. And Rose’s relationship with Jemima was such a bright spot, complicated as it was, in an otherwise dark book. There are so many images and lines and moments that will stick with me for a long time, just like the urge to end stigma against mental illness will stick with me for the rest of my life. A stunning saga of recovery and of ultimately finding a safe space both in yourself and in the one you love. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the galley.
lydiastorytime's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the detail and descriptions in this book not just of the beautiful parts of life but also the grotesque parts. I love that it took us through a recovery process and let us see the way siblings try to parent each other when they are neglected. The complex nature of the sisters codependent relationship was so intricately displayed and it touched my heart. I related so much to the mental turmoil of these characters. I was not sure how much I would connect with these characters as someone who has never been thin but the mind of mental illness and disordered eating reached passed the specifics of a disorder. I also feel this book helped me better understand the people in my life I have seen struggle with various eating disorders. This book also shows the way young queer girls often interact with each other and even relate over self hatred. The characters evolved so beautifully in this book without glossing over the pain of healing.
I highly recommend this book but keep in mind tissues will likely be necessary.
I highly recommend this book but keep in mind tissues will likely be necessary.
zmg6's review
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
bronconious's review against another edition
2.0
1 star for accuracy. 1 star for pity. No stars for responsibility.
novelvisits's review against another edition
4.0
Note: I received a copy of this book from Harper (via NetGalley) in exchange for my honest review.
Before I get into my thoughts on Thin Girls, I need to issue a warning. This is NOT a book everyone should read. If you have a history of eating disorders and especially anorexia, you should know there will be MANY triggers in the book and even this review.
However, I enjoyed Thin Girls very much. It’s the story of twin sisters, Lily and Rose, very close as twins often are. In their teens, Rose felt like a bit of an outsider, until she started getting thinner and thinner and suddenly became part of the popular crowd. As Rose lost weight, Lily gained and became the outsider.
“Anorectics experience extreme weight loss. But you lose more than that. Hair, fingernails, teeth. You lose your friends, family, yourself. You lose your sense of the world. Of what is important beyond the non-eating. And, eventually, you lose it all. She’s greedy, anorexia is.”
Rose narrated Thin Girls, providing a very unique perspective. Debut author Diana Clarke did a thorough (and eye-opening) job of portraying Rose’s relationship with food and starvation. As the book opens Rose has been in a treatment facility for nearly a year, and has learned all the tricks to appear as if she’s maintaining her weight. Only when she realizes Lily may be in trouble and need her for a change, does Rose take the steps she needs to be released.
I enjoyed the twin relationship in this story and appreciated that Clarke not only explored the close bond, but also the toxicity, especially for Lily. I thought Rose and Lily’s parents were painted in too broad of strokes, making them sort of non-characters. They were just too flat and difficult to believe. There were also a few tangential aspects of the story that felt a bit contrived, but I cared enough about the twins to roll with it. I’m glad I did because those were minor flaws compared to the rest of the story and the commentary on society’s judging of women’s bodies. Plus, I really liked the ending.
Original Source: https://novelvisits.com/thin-girls-by-diana-clarke-review/
Before I get into my thoughts on Thin Girls, I need to issue a warning. This is NOT a book everyone should read. If you have a history of eating disorders and especially anorexia, you should know there will be MANY triggers in the book and even this review.
However, I enjoyed Thin Girls very much. It’s the story of twin sisters, Lily and Rose, very close as twins often are. In their teens, Rose felt like a bit of an outsider, until she started getting thinner and thinner and suddenly became part of the popular crowd. As Rose lost weight, Lily gained and became the outsider.
“Anorectics experience extreme weight loss. But you lose more than that. Hair, fingernails, teeth. You lose your friends, family, yourself. You lose your sense of the world. Of what is important beyond the non-eating. And, eventually, you lose it all. She’s greedy, anorexia is.”
Rose narrated Thin Girls, providing a very unique perspective. Debut author Diana Clarke did a thorough (and eye-opening) job of portraying Rose’s relationship with food and starvation. As the book opens Rose has been in a treatment facility for nearly a year, and has learned all the tricks to appear as if she’s maintaining her weight. Only when she realizes Lily may be in trouble and need her for a change, does Rose take the steps she needs to be released.
I enjoyed the twin relationship in this story and appreciated that Clarke not only explored the close bond, but also the toxicity, especially for Lily. I thought Rose and Lily’s parents were painted in too broad of strokes, making them sort of non-characters. They were just too flat and difficult to believe. There were also a few tangential aspects of the story that felt a bit contrived, but I cared enough about the twins to roll with it. I’m glad I did because those were minor flaws compared to the rest of the story and the commentary on society’s judging of women’s bodies. Plus, I really liked the ending.
Original Source: https://novelvisits.com/thin-girls-by-diana-clarke-review/
kry_yang's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
this book sucker-punched me in the jugular and kicked me to the ground and left me fighting within an inch of my life
basically that was the emotional rollercoaster that this book took me on. it’s not perfect but it’s dark and raw and honest and evil and good ??? the writing is beautiful but overly generous at times (9-11 metaphor in the final chapters of the book lol) and i wish there were more in here about race & class and how that impacts diet culture.
basically that was the emotional rollercoaster that this book took me on. it’s not perfect but it’s dark and raw and honest and evil and good ??? the writing is beautiful but overly generous at times (9-11 metaphor in the final chapters of the book lol) and i wish there were more in here about race & class and how that impacts diet culture.
b_fruits's review
3.75
Honestly a very solid portrayal of eating disorder culture, but a bit too predictable plot-wise at times. It was very difficult to gain sympathy for the other twin even in her worst circumstances as her character was significantly less developed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Eating disorder
eamily's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25