Reviews with content warning for Chronic illness - The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting: The Tragedy and The Glory of Growing Up

this is a very hard review to write.

I absolutely adore Evanna's writing—it is visceral, evocative, creative, whimsical, playful, and honest. and because I love her voice, I found the material, as rough and heart-wrenching as it was, bearable and even at times amusing.

there is nothing amusing about the subject matter in this book. it is written by someone formerly defined by and forever to be associated with anorexia. it is not written lightly, which i think should be appreciated. it does not shy away at all; the mind of someone with an eating disorder is exactly as this book portrays—angry, ashamed, depressed, manic, obsessive, cruel, yet at the same time incredibly passionate, playful, mischievous, lively, thoughtful, sensitive, and even kind. this book is not necessarily for the disordered eaters, but for the outsiders—the parents, family, friends, colleagues, bystanders, and general public that will never truly understand what it means to be in or out of control of one's body. it is a messy and poignant look at the thought patterns, buried far beneath one's physical appearance, that dictate every aspect of a disordered eater's life with such seductive and dark finesse...

...and the reality that these thoughts never go away. an eating disorder can be treated (ethically, I pray) and the recovery label "achieved," but just like any chronic illness, will never truly leave the person.

and that's ok.

Evanna is proof that choosing recovery—making those hundreds of small decisions every day to choose health and happiness over control and "peace of mind"—is hard but possible. I respect and admire that immensely.

I admire this book a lot and hope this is not the last we've seen of Evanna as a storyteller.
5 out of 5 stars.

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ajnagle's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

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bookswithlauren's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

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azebrareads's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

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saraohneb's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.5

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pamsbookshelf's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark hopeful informative inspiring tense slow-paced

4.5

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knightscottage's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Edit: My favourite book for the year 2021.
Wow. I knew it was going to be a heavy read. Evanna has a way with writing and I truly hope this is only the beginning of a new career path.

It focuses on her sinking into the depths of anorexia at age 11, and her hospitalisations and eventual forced institutionalisation to a very strict recovery centre.

Evanna deliberately leaves out triggers for people struggling with eating disorders such as size weight etc.. A very wise move. I am myself a survivor so I was cautious whilst reading. I empathised with so much of her feelings. Thank goodness she has a supportive family behind her.

It is a confronting read. Brutally Honest and at times very raw.

Reading this has only made me love and admire Evanna all the more. I wish I could give her a hug!
Her resilience strength acceptance of self and courage is to be commended.
Bravo Evanna! 5 stars!

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