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A review by abbyreads8
Bodies by Susie Orbach
3.0
In Bodies, readers are shown the powerful commonality among the way the Western world looks at our bodies: through the lens of change. From diet to plastic surgery to body integrity disorder, the first thing most of us see when we look at our body is how we can change it. Orbach explores this further, delving into the causes that lead our bodies into these vulnerable places. Using research and observations from her own psychological practice, she ties most of this bodily dissatisfaction to the relationship between babies and their mothers- anxiety, pain, or any sort of negative emotion felt by a mother can subconsciously transfer to her child, which Orbach argues can fester and affect the trajectory of the child’s entire life.
Overall, I felt like this was a solid, well-written discussion of body image in the Western world. There were several points that really hit home for me, especially those pertaining to the disconnect between ourselves and our bodies. Orbach raises a fascinating point that we have come to a crisis in which the body has become a site for commerce and production- instead of bodies producing, we produce bodies. Her anecdotes about her patients are also compelling, and are a nice addition to the various psychological research she cites throughout the book.
I did have some trouble with the book’s view that eating disorders, body integrity disorder, self-harm, and trans folk are all one in the same in terms of body dissatisfaction. There are a lot of nuances she misses within each of these things, and some of it is quite problematic.
Overall, Bodies was a quick, powerful read that will make you stop and think in a profound way.
3.5 Stars
Overall, I felt like this was a solid, well-written discussion of body image in the Western world. There were several points that really hit home for me, especially those pertaining to the disconnect between ourselves and our bodies. Orbach raises a fascinating point that we have come to a crisis in which the body has become a site for commerce and production- instead of bodies producing, we produce bodies. Her anecdotes about her patients are also compelling, and are a nice addition to the various psychological research she cites throughout the book.
I did have some trouble with the book’s view that eating disorders, body integrity disorder, self-harm, and trans folk are all one in the same in terms of body dissatisfaction. There are a lot of nuances she misses within each of these things, and some of it is quite problematic.
Overall, Bodies was a quick, powerful read that will make you stop and think in a profound way.
3.5 Stars