"Anorexia is the same girl with the same story, told over and over again. It does not matter what she is called; her name designates nothing. My name is Anna but anorexia got rid of it, my feelings, body, husband, life."
"I was ambitious once. I was a dancer, a dreamer. I was loved, I was in love, I loved life, I once had books to read and places to see, babies I wanted to make. I want to want those again, Because I think I want to live."
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Anna Roux is a 26-year-old former professional ballet dancer, originally from Paris, France. Anna and her beautifully supportive husband Matthias have moved to the States for Matthias’s job. After suffering a devastating leg injury, and with a natural proclivity to depression and unhealthy body image already, Anna launches into a downward spiral landing her at 17 Swann Street -- an unusual peach pink house, and also a treatment facility for women with eating disorders.
Throughout the novel, Anna and the other patients face setbacks and struggles, but cling tight to the ever-present search for recovery. They build remarkable friendships and relationships throughout this moving and powerful story, but probably none quite as beautiful as the relationship between Anna and Matthias.
This evocative, realistic portrayal of the lives of those suffering mental illnesses is haunting and heartbreaking, but with a glimmer of hope all throughout. This novel is a very fast read, and I highly recommend to anyone who is interested in realistic fiction.
"I was ambitious once. I was a dancer, a dreamer. I was loved, I was in love, I loved life, I once had books to read and places to see, babies I wanted to make. I want to want those again, Because I think I want to live."
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Anna Roux is a 26-year-old former professional ballet dancer, originally from Paris, France. Anna and her beautifully supportive husband Matthias have moved to the States for Matthias’s job. After suffering a devastating leg injury, and with a natural proclivity to depression and unhealthy body image already, Anna launches into a downward spiral landing her at 17 Swann Street -- an unusual peach pink house, and also a treatment facility for women with eating disorders.
Throughout the novel, Anna and the other patients face setbacks and struggles, but cling tight to the ever-present search for recovery. They build remarkable friendships and relationships throughout this moving and powerful story, but probably none quite as beautiful as the relationship between Anna and Matthias.
This evocative, realistic portrayal of the lives of those suffering mental illnesses is haunting and heartbreaking, but with a glimmer of hope all throughout. This novel is a very fast read, and I highly recommend to anyone who is interested in realistic fiction.