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hoopoebird's review
3.0
I have wanted to read this book ever since I saw Portia's interview with Ellen a few years ago. While it is a good read and kept me captivated, it definitely could have been executed better. As someone who has struggled with disordered eating, it was hard to me to read at times, but for others who may have never thought this way, it is a look into the mind of an anorexic. It clearly illustrates the unhealthy thought patterns and eating practices that come with having an eating disorder. I found the end of the book to be incredibly refreshing - returning to a positive mindset, treating food as nourishment and exercise as a way to get better at something. I think this book is worth a read - but don't expect it to be amazing.
heatherawatson's review
4.0
A lot more interesting than I thought this was going to be, but for no real reason i've always liked Portia De Rossi. Okay, fine, I was a casual Ally McBeal fan but that should be more than made up by the fact that I've watched all of Arrested Development, like, three times. Still, this was a good story and took me to another place for awhile. As a big food lover, this was like learning about another culture. It took reading this book to realize that (stereotypes aside) I really do live in this culture in LA. I hope more people read this book.
mel_fck's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
gothiclibrarian's review
4.0
This book floored me, left me charged, heartbroken, renewed and devastated. In a nutshell, this book is a memoir of Portia De Rossi's struggle with anorexia, fame and her own sexuality, and the overwhelming need not only to fit in, but to be seen as a "normal" person in Hollywood.
I loved this one. I couldn't put it down. It was completely heartbreaking and inspiring and so many things. I've been a fan of Portia de Rossi since I saw her on Arrested Development (I was in middle school when she was in the midst of Ally McBeal). So when I found out that she was writing about her life I was very excited. However, I was not expecting a novel of this caliber.
I've never had an eating disorder but I'm sure we've all read a YA title of two that deals with one. (Just Listen by Sarah Dessen and Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson come to mind. Great reads, btw). But to read a YA title is vastly different from reading about it someone's memoir.
There are several parts of the novel that just break my heart. At one point she was consuming just 300 calories a day because she was terrified of being a size 8. Some women DREAM of being a size eight. My heart broke for her when she described the cycles of binges and not eating and too much exercise. Near the middle of the novel she begins to think that maybe she really is TOO THIN and people start commenting on how great she looks.
I really hate that as a society we put more importance on looks rather than who a person really is. (In a lot of cases). I think one thing that this novel taught me is that it's better to try to be healthy and be who you're naturally supposed to be (rounder thighs and all) than to make yourself miserable and sick because someone thinks that being skeletal is hotter.
This memoir will stick with me for a very long time. I'll definitely be counting my blessings. I'm happy, I'm healthy, my boyfriend loves me very much, in spite of my imperfections, and I love myself. I really am blessed. This memoir has changed my life for the better.
I loved this one. I couldn't put it down. It was completely heartbreaking and inspiring and so many things. I've been a fan of Portia de Rossi since I saw her on Arrested Development (I was in middle school when she was in the midst of Ally McBeal). So when I found out that she was writing about her life I was very excited. However, I was not expecting a novel of this caliber.
I've never had an eating disorder but I'm sure we've all read a YA title of two that deals with one. (Just Listen by Sarah Dessen and Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson come to mind. Great reads, btw). But to read a YA title is vastly different from reading about it someone's memoir.
There are several parts of the novel that just break my heart. At one point she was consuming just 300 calories a day because she was terrified of being a size 8. Some women DREAM of being a size eight. My heart broke for her when she described the cycles of binges and not eating and too much exercise. Near the middle of the novel she begins to think that maybe she really is TOO THIN and people start commenting on how great she looks.
I really hate that as a society we put more importance on looks rather than who a person really is. (In a lot of cases). I think one thing that this novel taught me is that it's better to try to be healthy and be who you're naturally supposed to be (rounder thighs and all) than to make yourself miserable and sick because someone thinks that being skeletal is hotter.
This memoir will stick with me for a very long time. I'll definitely be counting my blessings. I'm happy, I'm healthy, my boyfriend loves me very much, in spite of my imperfections, and I love myself. I really am blessed. This memoir has changed my life for the better.
emilyb_chicago's review
3.0
This reads like Portia is having a conversation with you. I expected this to be more of a publicity thing and that the reality of bulimia and anorexia would be softened. I was wrong, this feels so honest, brutal in places, so you can't help but connect with her and you can almost see where she is coming from.
If you are curious about the mindset behind eating disorders, a great read.
I knew this book was affecting me because every time I started reading I had to have a cookie -- an odd reaction even to me to a story of bulimia and anorexia.
If you are curious about the mindset behind eating disorders, a great read.
I knew this book was affecting me because every time I started reading I had to have a cookie -- an odd reaction even to me to a story of bulimia and anorexia.
jesslolsen's review
4.0
I have mixed feelings about this book. I remembered watching Ally McBeal growing up and while reading the book I had trouble placing the character I remembered from the show, to the adult with extreme body issues that I read about in the book. It was actually heartbreaking at times to read about her struggles every day - how exhausting that must have been!
So while I found the story fascinating, I agree with other reviewers with regard to the plot - so much time was spent on her anxieties and showing the worst days, yet very little time was spend on HOW she actually recovered.
Definitely a book I would suggest that anyone read who struggled with their weight - it really highlights the importance of being healthy rather than striving for that Hollywood idea of 'perfection'.
So while I found the story fascinating, I agree with other reviewers with regard to the plot - so much time was spent on her anxieties and showing the worst days, yet very little time was spend on HOW she actually recovered.
Definitely a book I would suggest that anyone read who struggled with their weight - it really highlights the importance of being healthy rather than striving for that Hollywood idea of 'perfection'.
blondierocket's review
3.0
This is another one of those books I reserved immediately after it was released and never got a chance to read it the first time I had it. Ever since watching “Ally McBeal” I have been intrigued by Portia de Rossi and she seemed like a quiet soul and not much was said about her.
It was a very interesting book to read, to hear the struggle and wonder how someone can overcome such obstacles or even how they begin. I found myself learning a lot from her experience and how the human brain can trick us into thinking things and feeling that just because someone says something we don’t have to take it so literal or to the extreme.
I love how the book covers everything for the beginning to recovery and does not leave any details out and shows that despite the most dire of circumstances, goodness and happiness can come out in the end.
I very much enjoyed this book and the openness and candid nature in which Portia de Rossi bares it all for everyone to read.
It was a very interesting book to read, to hear the struggle and wonder how someone can overcome such obstacles or even how they begin. I found myself learning a lot from her experience and how the human brain can trick us into thinking things and feeling that just because someone says something we don’t have to take it so literal or to the extreme.
I love how the book covers everything for the beginning to recovery and does not leave any details out and shows that despite the most dire of circumstances, goodness and happiness can come out in the end.
I very much enjoyed this book and the openness and candid nature in which Portia de Rossi bares it all for everyone to read.