A review by millhousethecat
Milk Fed by Melissa Broder

challenging dark emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This is a book about the ways hunger drives us, in all forms; whether it be a hunger for food, sex, love, or spirituality. It’s wild and wicked and, I’d imagine, for some, incredibly triggering. I’m not sure I’d recommend it to anyone; I’ll just say that you should make sure you are fully aware of what you’re getting yourself into if you pick it up. 

I’m surprised by the heaps of praise it received when it was released. To me it feels indulgent in a childish way. It can be quite funny at times, with sexual content leaning towards lewd, but it mostly felt almost foolhardy in its embarrassment, its pretentiousness. 

That said, I did give it three stars, so I saw some value. 

——

Rachel is struggling. Her entire existence revolves around eating. Her obsessive rituals that include specific foods and calorie counting give her some sense of control. At 24, she’s not happy with her job, her friends, her family, or her future.

Her therapist tells her to detox from her mother for 90 days. Her mother, the woman responsible for her discordant relationship with food. 

During this exile, Rachel meets Miriam, an overweight orthodox Jewish woman her age who works at her favorite frozen yogurt shop. It’s Miriam who begins feeding Rachel - food, god, sex, a loving, functional family. And as Rachel relinquishes control, she begins to lose herself completely. 

The ending is too quick and neat, and had me knocking the book down a star after some thought. 

I’m still very conflicted here. It’s a helluva book though, I’ll say that. Audiobook is by the author - I’d recommend that if you can.