Thinandbeautiful.com by Liane ShawRelease: Sept 28, 2009
Stand alone book
Link goes to and description go to Goodreads.com
"Seventeen-year-old Maddie has always felt a hole in her life, but she has finally found a way to fill it with her quest to mold her body into her ideal, thinnest shape. When she comes across the world of Pro Ana websites, where young people encourage each other in their mission to lose ever more weight, she realizes she is no longer alone. Finally, she has found a place where she is understood. Maddie quickly becomes addicted to the support and camaraderie she finds on thinandbeautiful.com. Now in a rehab facility where they are trying to "fix" a problem she doesn't think she has, Maddie is forced to keep a diary tracing how she arrived at this point. Angry that she is barred from accessing her online friends, Maddie resists therapy. Only when a tragedy befalls one of her comrades in arms is she shocked into admitting that she does need help."
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
My Review:
This is a book that really gets you inside the head of someone with an eating disorder. The thoughts seem authentic and Shaw uses her own experience with EDs as a basis. Maddie isn't always likable, but she is relatable.
It is not an easy read, we travel with her as she pushes her friends and family away, see through the lens of distorted body image, and begin on the difficult road of recovery.
I understand why all of the flashbacks where there
This is a really tough issue to write about without glorifying the disease but Shaw did a great job, and I would recommend to anyone who wants to see what the struggle is like, and to see hope at the end of the tunnel.
I would love to hear what you think!
I've never heard of this book, but it definitely sounds like a book I would love to read. I've suffered from ED for years, and I know the appeal of thin sites that aren't claiming to be pro-ana, but help people find others who are.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be a therapeutic read...perhaps something I should try. Brilliant review. :)
I have never heard of it but I was recently reading Karin Slaughter's book Undone where the victims were all suffering from this and it really got me thinking, so it sounds like a book I would like to read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review...
It really is a delicate issue.
I have this on my shelf and am really looking forward to reading it. I'm glad you enjoyed it! It does sound like a difficult read, but a good one.
ReplyDeleteI never heard of this book but it looks really good! I read Purge by Sarah Darer Littman a year ago and it deals with the same issue. Great Review!
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this one. I definitely want to check it out. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteAlison Can Read
Also haven't heard of this one, but it sounds like a very tough, intense and riveting read. Going to be on the lookout for this one! Great review as always!
ReplyDeletenever heard if this one. Now i'm curious...it sounds great!
ReplyDeleteI'm gathering that this was done in a responsible, sympathetic way - I have not long since read a similar story in which the message was very clearly you had to be super thin, no matter what the cost, if you wish to make it in this life.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation though I think I would also find lots of flashbacks annoying as well.
I think it was done well, and showed her realization of wrong thinking of her body perception.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that there's a 'mysterious' website involved makes me curious. Kind of like the website in 'By The Time You'll Read This, I'll Be Dead' (but that site has a different purpose).
ReplyDeleteNice review! :)
this sounds like its really respectful towards the issue and may be able to help people with the problem, or help people understand others who may have an eating disorder. thanks for the great review!
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