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

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While I have read every Harry Potter book and watched the movies inspired by them, I was never a Potterhead or HP fangirl. In fact, I started reading the books long after seeing many of the movies in and out of theaters when I was in high school. My love of the series has since then been dampened by JK Rowling’s openly expressed transphobia. Therefore, when a friend and coworker mentioned she was reading Evanna Lynch’s memoir, The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting, I showed polite interest – mainly because Luna Lovegood was my favorite character in the series. By the end of the conversation, however, my friend and I agreed that I would borrow the library’s copy once she returned it herself.

In her memoir, Lynch reflects on moments in her childhood that shaped and affected her inquisitive, creative mind. She gives her readers insight into the beginning stages of developing an eating disorder (ED), the many modes of treatment attempted to lead her toward recovery, and how she continues to support her own mental health and happiness as an adult. Among the many aspects of this book that are brilliant, Lynch has made me more aware – of myself and my own childhood, of those who live with an ED and how I might best support them, and of the many treatments that exists, some more harmful than others. Most importantly, Lynch reminds us of the person who often becomes overshadowed by their ED.

Lynch has one of the most honest, relatable authorial voices I have ever experienced. Her opposition toward womanhood and her refusal to grow up during childhood put words to paper of feelings I recall having myself but I was never able to exactly articulate them. While this is a memoir recording Lynch’s childhood, I believe it speaks to many of us and how we felt growing up. With that said, some of the darkest moments that Lynch shares humbled me and my own issues with body dysmorphia, my own turbulent relationship with food and mental health. Lynch does not write this book to alienate anyone, however, whether you have lived with an ED or not. She simply reflects on the progress, the setbacks, the treatments that supported her recovery and those that harmed it. She speaks openly and beautifully about her experiences, and I greatly appreciate her decision to invite us into her darkness.

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ohhellokelli's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring sad medium-paced

4.0

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maggiemaryamos's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

3.25

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fjcookie's review against another edition

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challenging dark hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

I loved this. but, it is definitely a very dark, heavy read which stuck with me for ages and I really felt I had to distance myself from it to be able to process and move on from it. having said that, it is definitely worth the read and is so wonderfully written and had some really lovely moments and quotes in there

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burnyayhayley's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

This book is incredibly well written. Every chapter is imbued with empathy and forethought for the circumstance of the reader, a deep desire to not upset anyone for the sake of proclaiming details of a disorder. I found this to be consistently apparent in the writing, and even though I am not vulnerable in the way Lynch imagines I might be, I appreciated only knowing what I needed to. Her writing was genuinely sweet and often funny— there were many points I laughed aloud or which filled me with delight— not exactly expected from an eating disorder memoir.
My favourite part is how much of the recovery journey is detailed. It remains always imperfect, but she is so honest about what she was feeling when she was expected to be something else, and she includes the perspectives of doctors and her beloved psychotherapist, which lends a more nuanced understanding of both the disorder and the flawed treatments in place for it. I feel, now I have finished reading this book, that I not only know Evanna Lynch (and even her HP counterpart) better, but that I am more equipped with language and knowledge to understand the way an eating disorder impacts the psyche. I wish I could have read this book ten years ago, really, as it could have done my perspective a lot of good. But I am very glad to have read it now.
I highly recommend this book to anyone. Of course bear in mind the CW, but Lynch is careful to care for you throughout, so I don't feel scared to say: I think you can read this book and be assured she is right there with you, and not intending to bring anyone harm. I feel it provides a lot more healing than it does harm. Truly, Bravo.

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theespressoedition's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective slow-paced

5.0

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jennabarry3's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

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