Anna has anorexia nervosa and only weighs 88 pounds. Her husband, Matthias, checks her into a treatment facility at 17 Swann Street as a last attempt to try and get Anna healthy again. Anna used to be a professional ballet dancer in France where she grew up. Matthias moved for a job to St. Louis in the States and Anna followed him after she had an injury onstage that left her unable to continue performing. Anna befriends the other women and struggles to remember who she is while fighting for her life.
Anna’s stream of consciousness narration is extremely authentic. At the end of the novel, the author shares that she struggled with an eating disorder and was admitted to a similar facility. Her personal connection reverberates throughout her writing as the tone is so personal and poignant. She makes great points about how eating disorders can affect the family and friends of the person suffering through describing Anna and Matthias’ marriage. The story has just the right amount of ups and downs with great characterization. I really liked how the ending was left open to interpretation, making it realistic. The Girls at 17 Swann Street provides gripping and raw insights into the battle of having an eating disorder.
Anna’s stream of consciousness narration is extremely authentic. At the end of the novel, the author shares that she struggled with an eating disorder and was admitted to a similar facility. Her personal connection reverberates throughout her writing as the tone is so personal and poignant. She makes great points about how eating disorders can affect the family and friends of the person suffering through describing Anna and Matthias’ marriage. The story has just the right amount of ups and downs with great characterization. I really liked how the ending was left open to interpretation, making it realistic. The Girls at 17 Swann Street provides gripping and raw insights into the battle of having an eating disorder.