Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Genre: YA Realistic Fiction, Standalone
Published: 2009
Personal Rating: 4/5 (very good)
Yearly Count: 72
Eighteen-year-old Lia struggles with the eating disorder, anorexia. Her detailed trials and tribulations are brought to our attention through this first person narrative.
The interview with Laurie Halse Anderson at the end of the audiobook really makes this book come alive. It assists in our understanding that just because the story of Wintergirls is fiction, doesn't mean that the emotions and thoughts of this troubled girl are fiction, as well. Anderson included her personal research and the challenging thoughts she has had of her own body image.
The depth of Lia's despair was devastating and being in her mind was a very scary place to be. Listening to the magnitude of particular thoughts that propelled her into action was difficult, especially knowing outsiders can only do so much to help. While negative, repetitive thoughts are part of the disorder, for me as a reader, it became a bit redundant. Lia is a great example of the exhausting effects those types of repetitive thoughts can have on an individual and how they effect those closest to them.
I'm really looking forward to this book. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteI've read Speak, and I appreciate that Anderson is willing to tackle difficult subjects.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this...thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteThis was such a powerful and intense book to read that I can imagine that it would be even more powerful listening to the book. I agree with you that Lea was a great example of how this disorder effects an individual and those around them.
ReplyDeleteI can see how listening to though can be tiring, but I am glad it worked fr you. It's on my list to read eventually.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad that there are so many people suffering with so many diverse problems. I'm sure books like this one help us be more accepting and less judgmental.
ReplyDeleteI read Speak and I think she has a way of portraying difficult feelings in a very realistic way. I'll look out for this one!
ReplyDeleteI picked this book up a while back because of all the great reviews. YOurs is another-it sounds like a difficult book to read but well worth it.
ReplyDeleteThis was one of my top reads so far this year. And I too listened to the book. You're right that the interview was a great addition.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize this book was about anorexia--sounds like an important read for young adults. I had a friend in high school who struggled with eating disorders. Have you read Speak by Anderson? Wait, she wrote Speak, right?
ReplyDeleteBermudaonion ~ It's a good one!
ReplyDeleteCharley ~ That she does and does it well.
Missy ~ I hope you find it as interesting as I did.
Bonnie ~ I'm coming over there to read your review - I don't remember commenting on it. Hmmmm
Nichole ~ Her thoughts are redundant, but that is what she struggled with so the redundancy makes sense.
Booklogged ~ Yes, I agree on both accounts. It just makes me wonder if so much exposure pushes kids to try new ways to cope (in a negative way).
Joanna ~ I agree that she does a very good job of portraying difficult feelings. However, I didn't think Speak was spectacular like most people claim it to be. I thought Just Listen by Sarah Dessen was better.
Dar ~ It gives such great insight to the deep emotions and struggles a person with this disorder has to endure.
Beth F ~ There have been numerous times that an interview has had an impact on my reaction to the book. I think author's should do more of those. It makes their work more personalized.
Trish ~ I didn't either until I began the book. And, yes - I listened to Speak. I commented about it above. :)
I've loved all the books I've read written by this author, and this one looks just as good, if not better, than all the others!
ReplyDeleteI really want to get this. I loved Speak and am looking forward to reading Catalyst soon. If I like that I think I will go on a buy everything she has had published kick!
ReplyDeleteMelanie ~ I hope it reaches your expectations! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteRhinoa ~ I haven't heard much about Catalyst. Maybe I'll go check that out. Anderson is a solid author for sure.
I'm curious to know how they handled the crossed out text in the audio. How does a visual trigger come across in the audio? Wondering . . . Anyways, great book, great author!
ReplyDeleteMaw Books ~ For me, the audiobook did not go over very well - especially at first. The sentences would begin with a tone, then I guess it was the crossed out words, then what she really says. I did not know there were crossed out words and wouldn't have until you mentioned it. I thought they were probably italicized. I did figure out it was her thinking and what she actually says, but it was awkward not knowing. The first time, I heard the beep but didn't catch the phrasing and let it go. The second time, I was wondering what was going on, so I backtracked and heard the two phrases that were almost identical, so I thought it was an error. Then, after that I realized it was her real thoughts. Also, I think the real thoughts were spoken a little faster, at least that's how I heard them. I wish they had made a statement in the beginning to notified the listener - that would have been extremely helpful.
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