calliecinque's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
horrorfan95's review against another edition
3.0
Firstly let me start by admitting I myself have suffered from an ED exactly as described in the first half of this book. Although for some it may have been triggering, I personally found it interesting someone finally put it to words in such detail, the way it takes over your entire life. The protagonist is Rachel, a bisexual Jewish woman who works at a talent agency and moonlights as a stand up comic. Rachel suffers from an eating disorder brought on by her overbearing mother but when her therapist tells her to take a short "detox" from their relationship, Rachel finds herself unable to handle a slight change in her everyday lifem The change being a new cashier at her favourite frozen yogurt shop.
Rachel seems to like having control over things as illustrated by her severe eating disorder and strict routine, through out this book she seems to indulge in fantasies one might class as highlighting both penis-envy/mother issues. When she meets the new cashier at the frozen yogurt shop she sees in her, not only her own biggest fear (a larger woman) and her biggest wish (the ability to eat whatever she wants uninhibited) she then gradually swaps her obsession with counting calories and working out to an obsession with a slightly more devout Jewish woman (Miriam) who allows herself to eat anything she pleases as well as having a healthy relationship with her family. Though I thoroughly enjoyed the realistic progression of their relationship, I probably could have done without the mention of smelling shit during oral sex or the constant dreaming of a rabbi blessing their relationship.
When Rachel disagrees with Miriam's misinformed views on the situation between Israel and Palestine causing Miriam's family to kick Rachel from their home, Rachel almost immediately falls into the arms of "Jace" an underdeveloped character and an actor represented by the talent agency Rachel works at. She doesn't particularly enjoy the sex but uses it as a way to reaffirm to her co-worker she isn't "Gay" and is still attractive to men. This ultimately leads to her dismissal from the agency. The book later skips ahead a few years where Rachel no longer suffers from an eating disorder and works as a stand-up comic full-time, she runs into Miriam who has become a mother. Although this is his it ends it feels a bit rushed and I wish we got to learn more about Miriam and Rachel's Mother.
Rachel seems to like having control over things as illustrated by her severe eating disorder and strict routine, through out this book she seems to indulge in fantasies one might class as highlighting both penis-envy/mother issues. When she meets the new cashier at the frozen yogurt shop she sees in her, not only her own biggest fear (a larger woman) and her biggest wish (the ability to eat whatever she wants uninhibited) she then gradually swaps her obsession with counting calories and working out to an obsession with a slightly more devout Jewish woman (Miriam) who allows herself to eat anything she pleases as well as having a healthy relationship with her family. Though I thoroughly enjoyed the realistic progression of their relationship, I probably could have done without the mention of smelling shit during oral sex or the constant dreaming of a rabbi blessing their relationship.
When Rachel disagrees with Miriam's misinformed views on the situation between Israel and Palestine causing Miriam's family to kick Rachel from their home, Rachel almost immediately falls into the arms of "Jace" an underdeveloped character and an actor represented by the talent agency Rachel works at. She doesn't particularly enjoy the sex but uses it as a way to reaffirm to her co-worker she isn't "Gay" and is still attractive to men. This ultimately leads to her dismissal from the agency. The book later skips ahead a few years where Rachel no longer suffers from an eating disorder and works as a stand-up comic full-time, she runs into Miriam who has become a mother. Although this is his it ends it feels a bit rushed and I wish we got to learn more about Miriam and Rachel's Mother.
busyreadingandthings's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
ashe4061's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
3.75
lauren_lenni's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
kindallkm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
avocadotoastbee's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The first thing that comes to my mind is, this book is for people
- with mommy issues
- who like to read smut
- who don't have a history of eating disorders
I fall into two of those categories.
Before I picked up Milk Fed, I knew nothing about the plot. After reading the first few pages, I wasn't sure if I should continue because the depiction of the thoughts and actions of a woman struggling with an eating disorder sounded too familiar and was triggering for me. However, I decided to continue because I liked Melissa Broder's writing style and finished the book in one sitting.
As the book progressed, I noticed that some passages were better written than others. Also, the ending was a little disappointing. This is another sapphic book with no happy ending.
On the other hand, I liked the development of the main character, Rachel, and how Broder portrayed her "overcoming" her eating disorder. It wasn't easy, but a struggle that felt real. Also, Broder's writing style made up for many of the book's shortcomings. She made me laugh several times, even though the topics covered were heavy.
All in all, it's a good book. In my opinion, Milk Fed is made for a niche audience, which explains the differing opinions on this book.
"More than anything, all I'd ever wanted was a total embrace, the embrace of an infinite mother, absolute and divine. I wanted to lose the edges of myself an blend with a woman, enter the amniotic sac and melt away. I wanted a love that was bottomless, unconditional, with zero repercussions. I wanted an infinite yogurt, a mystical and maternal yogurt, something of which I could have unlimited quantities that would not hurt me."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Fatphobia, Mental illness, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Emotional abuse, and Body shaming
Minor: War
earth2lexie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
deadlykillerspindlyfish's review against another edition
3.0
this is so being a modern jewish woman vibes
akhornbeck's review against another edition
3.0
Parts of this were so good but parts of it were so bad! Confusing!