A review by mangofandango
Milk Fed by Melissa Broder

challenging fast-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

4.5

This was a really fast read for me, and while it certainly has some idiosyncrasies that may disagree with some people (and be warned, some major triggers for eating disorders and some sexual fantasies that involve incestuous elements), it really worked for me. I felt so much for the main character. It's worth saying, I suppose, that Rachel is problematic, frustrating, and uses people. But even when her choices made me cringe, I felt deep tenderness toward her. I wanted her to eat sundaes and Chinese food forever, and get to feel safely and fully loved and wanted. I wanted her to have a family that accepted her, and to stop talking to her actual mother for real, and to experience comfort and pleasure and freedom. There is so much vulnerability in this story, and bravery despite the intense and understandable protective urges she has to lock everything down and keep herself safe and deeply unhappy. 

I thought this story resolved on the right note, too - not the fulfillment of everything I wanted for Rachel, but a realistic, satisfying, grief-tinged series of baby steps towards hope and comfort.



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