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A review by bookmarked642
Bone & Bread by Saleema Nawaz
5.0
A huge thanks to Edelweiss+ for providing me with a copy of this novel.
As I've mentioned many times on my blog, I have anorexia. I struggle with mental health issues and I believe books on the topic are extremely important. This took my interest for that reason, but I didn't expect this unique view. Beena's sister, Sadhana, is diagnosed with anorexia at 14 - after a rather traumatic, difficult childhood. Beena recaps their early days, while simultaneously narrating her current-day life. At first, Beena only vaguely references Sadhana's illness, but it soon becomes clear that her heart attack was brought on by the eating disorder.
This book is about Sadhana's struggle, her sister's sire attempts to help her, and her grief at Sadhana's eventual passing, but it is also about so much more. It is about Beena's teenage pregnancy and single motherhood. It is about the death of their parents, one by one, before they were even midway through their teens. It is about Sadhana's on-off struggles, Beena's exhaustion at being her carer, their relationship and arguments and love. It is also about Sadhana's life, separate to Beena's, her secret girlfriend. It's about life overall, really. And while the anorexia is a huge part of it, it isn't the whole story.
It was written fantastically, and the opinions Beena gives on Sadhana's illness are really quite unique. She expresses her anger and frustration, and the tiring nature of caring for her sister throughout her life. She does not express the sympathy and sadness toward sufferers that is often portrayed in books.
Sometimes, I did find Beena a bit too harsh - and Sadhana, too, actually. But overall the characterisation was great, and the relationship between the girls is so complex it feels real. 4.5 stars.
As I've mentioned many times on my blog, I have anorexia. I struggle with mental health issues and I believe books on the topic are extremely important. This took my interest for that reason, but I didn't expect this unique view. Beena's sister, Sadhana, is diagnosed with anorexia at 14 - after a rather traumatic, difficult childhood. Beena recaps their early days, while simultaneously narrating her current-day life. At first, Beena only vaguely references Sadhana's illness, but it soon becomes clear that her heart attack was brought on by the eating disorder.
This book is about Sadhana's struggle, her sister's sire attempts to help her, and her grief at Sadhana's eventual passing, but it is also about so much more. It is about Beena's teenage pregnancy and single motherhood. It is about the death of their parents, one by one, before they were even midway through their teens. It is about Sadhana's on-off struggles, Beena's exhaustion at being her carer, their relationship and arguments and love. It is also about Sadhana's life, separate to Beena's, her secret girlfriend. It's about life overall, really. And while the anorexia is a huge part of it, it isn't the whole story.
It was written fantastically, and the opinions Beena gives on Sadhana's illness are really quite unique. She expresses her anger and frustration, and the tiring nature of caring for her sister throughout her life. She does not express the sympathy and sadness toward sufferers that is often portrayed in books.
Sometimes, I did find Beena a bit too harsh - and Sadhana, too, actually. But overall the characterisation was great, and the relationship between the girls is so complex it feels real. 4.5 stars.