5 ⭐️’s for this truthful, emotional and hopeful story.
I’ve had my eye on this book since last summer for personal reasons and knew I needed to read it. Like many of you, I’ve witnessed a friend struggle with an eating disorder. It happened in high school when I had little patience and understanding for it. At the time I thought my friend was just seeking attention and it was what the “cool” kids were doing. Well, I wanted no part of it. Years later I’ve found myself trying to understand her point of view. I want to be a more compassionate and understanding person so what better to do than learn about it.
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The narrative style used is quite unique and I’ve heard people say they found it choppy. Nonetheless, it worked for me. It helped me to see from the inside and out and gave me a richer and deeper perspective. This is exactly what I was hoping for. I also appreciate that the author is coming from a place of hope. “I did not choose anorexia. I did not choose to starve. But every morning over and over, I choose to fight it, again.” Recovery from an eating disorder is never ending. It truly is a daily battle.
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From the author herself. “Two flagrant misconceptions about anorexia come to mind: First, that it is just an extreme desire to be thin. Second, that both having it and being cured of it are a choice. This book offers a different perspective of anorexia: It is not about being thin. It is not a bad habit, or a lack or excess of self-control. It is an actual disease. No person chooses to have it, just like no person chooses cancer or diabetes. To have anorexia is to lose your ability to concentrate, your body heat, your hair, your period, your personality, your relationships, your dreams. Sometimes your life.”
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I’ve had my eye on this book since last summer for personal reasons and knew I needed to read it. Like many of you, I’ve witnessed a friend struggle with an eating disorder. It happened in high school when I had little patience and understanding for it. At the time I thought my friend was just seeking attention and it was what the “cool” kids were doing. Well, I wanted no part of it. Years later I’ve found myself trying to understand her point of view. I want to be a more compassionate and understanding person so what better to do than learn about it.
.
The narrative style used is quite unique and I’ve heard people say they found it choppy. Nonetheless, it worked for me. It helped me to see from the inside and out and gave me a richer and deeper perspective. This is exactly what I was hoping for. I also appreciate that the author is coming from a place of hope. “I did not choose anorexia. I did not choose to starve. But every morning over and over, I choose to fight it, again.” Recovery from an eating disorder is never ending. It truly is a daily battle.
.
From the author herself. “Two flagrant misconceptions about anorexia come to mind: First, that it is just an extreme desire to be thin. Second, that both having it and being cured of it are a choice. This book offers a different perspective of anorexia: It is not about being thin. It is not a bad habit, or a lack or excess of self-control. It is an actual disease. No person chooses to have it, just like no person chooses cancer or diabetes. To have anorexia is to lose your ability to concentrate, your body heat, your hair, your period, your personality, your relationships, your dreams. Sometimes your life.”
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