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Reviews tagging 'Eating disorder'
Hurts So Good: The Science and Culture of Pain on Purpose by Leigh Cowart
20 reviews
emizulu's review
I couldn't get past the author's thesis, in which they incorrectly imply that all bdsm/kink related masochism is sexual, and that we have to go outside of this community for examples of non-sexual masochism. The tone of the writing is that of someone coming from a place of expertise/authority, so unfortunately I found this undercut my ability to trust in them as an author right out of the gate.
Furthermore, I take issue with their claim that the ballet experiences outlined in the book were masochistic instead of abusive. They clearly outline a definition for masochism that mandates consent, but when the author started ballet, they were a child and unable to consent. They were then raised in an abusive ballet culture (as explicitly detailed in-book), which again raises questions as to whether we can unquestioningly accept their adult consent at face value.
This lack of nuance/introspection, coupled with the author's failed attempt to write this book from a place of expertise, made it a real struggle to finish. I gave myself the gift of not having to.
Furthermore, I take issue with their claim that the ballet experiences outlined in the book were masochistic instead of abusive. They clearly outline a definition for masochism that mandates consent, but when the author started ballet, they were a child and unable to consent. They were then raised in an abusive ballet culture (as explicitly detailed in-book), which again raises questions as to whether we can unquestioningly accept their adult consent at face value.
This lack of nuance/introspection, coupled with the author's failed attempt to write this book from a place of expertise, made it a real struggle to finish. I gave myself the gift of not having to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Acephobia/Arophobia
arlangrey17's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Self harm, and Vomit
reading_rainbows's review against another edition
This book needs multiple content warnings: Graphic sexual descriptions in intro and final chapter, eating disorders discussed throughout, body horror especially in chapter 2&3. There is a content warning before the author specifically discussed their eating disorder, which is way too late.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Eating disorder, Gore, Self harm, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
chrishham's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
maurits's review
informative
slow-paced
2.5
Informative and interesting, but it could have been way shorter. What, exactly, is the point of describing an ultramarathon if you're not gonna use it to make a point?
Also, there's a lot of little anecdotes that could have been skipped.
A point about a trigger warning: There is a part in the book where the author describes a normal day at the worst point in their eating disorder in excruciating detail. I don't have an eating disorder, but I found it hard to get through. If you do have an eating disorder, this will certainly trigger you. Never before have I seen such a graphic depiction of an eating disorder.
Also, there's a lot of little anecdotes that could have been skipped.
A point about a trigger warning: There is a part in the book where the author describes a normal day at the worst point in their eating disorder in excruciating detail. I don't have an eating disorder, but I found it hard to get through. If you do have an eating disorder, this will certainly trigger you. Never before have I seen such a graphic depiction of an eating disorder.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
daniellekat's review
Loved the premise, but with each page I hate the author a little more. The writing is repetitive and Cowart takes every opportunity to use as many words as possible to state a point. This reminded me a lot of the writing of Caitlin Doughty (very "I'm quirky and witty so let me write a book") - not a good thing in my case, but if you're a fan of CD this might be for you. I did enjoy that this made me think about pain in ways I hadn't previously considered, but there is no way I get through another 150+ pages with Cowart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Child abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, and Self harm
carrie_e's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Fascinating look at pain and masochism in a variety of contexts…sexual, athleticism, and religious to name a few. We get a lot of science and history as well as the author’s very frank personal experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
lybarron's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Body horror, Gore, and Blood
francosteen's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
Fascinating read and written in a fun, sometimes emotional, informative and obviously a personal, voice.
A look at masochism in so many different forms, where you can truly see that many of us engage with it in various ways ourselves.
A look at masochism in so many different forms, where you can truly see that many of us engage with it in various ways ourselves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Self harm, and Sexual content
boundlessbookbumblebee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder