Scan barcode
fangirl325's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
samrw050's review against another edition
4.0
Well written, good story line. Lots of TW. Not a book for me but would recommend to anyone that is not easily triggered and interested in how someone with anorexia processes.
lumilenkka's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nordstina's review against another edition
3.0
Holy trigger warnings, Batman! Tread extremely careful with this book if you have a current or history of disordered eating. Diana Clarke's Thin Girls is about twin sisters Lily and Rose. It has dual storylines of their past and present. As they grew up, they looked identical until high school where they diverged. The weight that Rose lost, Lily gained and their separation was a struggle. In the present, we find Rose in an inpatient eating disorders facility where she has been hospitalized for a year. She appears to be at a stasis- not getting better, not getting worse. When she discovers Lily's life is being destructed, she takes action. Clarke is a good writer, and I enjoyed the two siblings (Rose was more fleshed (no pun intended) out that Lily), but this book is so triggering that I think a lot of readers will struggle with it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Physical abuse
meebo's review against another edition
3.0
This is a pretty brutal read, and it feels weird to give this book a rating. Heavy topics, but I think they’re handled appropriately. I wish there was more “after” recovery parts to instill some hope, but I think all the intended messages came across. The audiobook narrator was a little dry, but it was still okay. 3⭐️ (in a good way)
63/100
63/100
alt_k's review against another edition
4.0
Huge content warning on this book for EDs, domestic violence, rape, and self harm. Given that, the book is really beautiful and powerful. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. There are places at the end that it felt a little rushed to wrap it up, and some places where the writing didn’t make sense or was unnecessary (for example, saying she was called her full name for the first time in a long time, when her full name was used twice on the previous page, earlier in the day). Overall a worthwhile read if the content isn’t triggering or harmful to you personally.
piapaya's review against another edition
5.0
4.5
This explores the relationships that people, especially women, have with their bodies in today’s society. It also addresses queerness, sexuality, and domestic abuse.
I could focus on analyzing Clarke’s craft and plotting, which is rushed at times and then alternatively very slow at others, but this book is still moving and important. It’s also still very readable and swallowed me up (no pun intended). I don’t know if this will be triggering for some people, but it’s insightful, even gratifying as a narrative of eventual recovery.
Fuck diet culture. And stop commenting on women’s bodies.
If those last two sentences resonate with you, read Thin Girls.
This explores the relationships that people, especially women, have with their bodies in today’s society. It also addresses queerness, sexuality, and domestic abuse.
I could focus on analyzing Clarke’s craft and plotting, which is rushed at times and then alternatively very slow at others, but this book is still moving and important. It’s also still very readable and swallowed me up (no pun intended). I don’t know if this will be triggering for some people, but it’s insightful, even gratifying as a narrative of eventual recovery.
Fuck diet culture. And stop commenting on women’s bodies.
If those last two sentences resonate with you, read Thin Girls.
hnfive's review against another edition
5.0
I have a lot of feelings on this book. Not as positive:
- do not read this if you have any history with disordered eating. just don't
- parts of it are graphic and disgusting (the way the twins taste each others emotions was a big ick for me, amongst other graphic descriptions)
- I used to think I wanted to have a twin and I no longer want that
- where were the parents?! (this is covered but inadequately, the parents really failed these two girls spectacularly)
More positive:
- important commentary on feminism, sisterhood, how hard it is to be a woman, diet culture etc.
- really real emotions and a beautiful story of growth
- this book made me think/feel - it will stay with me for a while
- do not read this if you have any history with disordered eating. just don't
- parts of it are graphic and disgusting (the way the twins taste each others emotions was a big ick for me, amongst other graphic descriptions)
- I used to think I wanted to have a twin and I no longer want that
- where were the parents?! (this is covered but inadequately, the parents really failed these two girls spectacularly)
More positive:
- important commentary on feminism, sisterhood, how hard it is to be a woman, diet culture etc.
- really real emotions and a beautiful story of growth
- this book made me think/feel - it will stay with me for a while