Reviews

Hunger - Die Geschichte meines Körpers by Anne Spielmann, Roxane Gay

stinky_goblin's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.75

elvirabianchi's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

apazc_'s review against another edition

4.0

Este libro ancla la relación del curso más allá de su propia materialidad, carne en movimiento. Es un entrecruzado entre alma y carne. Aquello que nos atormenta genera un hambre, puede darse en forma de deseo incontrolable por la comida, pero también es soledad, o cualquier tormento que abarque nuestro espíritu.
De cierta forma me ha sanado, es un poco triste reconocer lo mucho que conecto con las palabras que están siendo dichas. No recomiendo leer este libro de corrido. Tómese su tiempo, sobre todo por lo pesado del relato, doloroso y quizás demasiado cercano a casa para el gusto de cualquiera. Sopéselo con toda la calma que pueda y deje que marine en su mente.
Creo que fácilmente puede atacar a quien protesta por el body positive, porque, como mismo explica la autora, este es la memoria de su cuerpo y en ella irrevocablemente yace una cierta vergüenza. Lo crucial es aceptarla y entenderla, preguntarse constantemente ¿de dónde viene? y ese preguntar no siempre significa un aceptar, borrar, sino un comprender.

zoefranka's review against another edition

dark emotional fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder

vesryn's review against another edition

5.0

This was my first novel by Roxane Gay, and WOW it was intense. It was beautiful, moving, poignant. It was just incredible. I flew through this, but it was a difficult read for someone who has also suffered through sexual violence. (Though I don’t mean that as a reason not to read this book, just be aware.) Sometimes I had to put the book down, to give myself room to breathe. The way Gay writes is almost plaintive; that much more accessible. Because of that, it feels all the more personal. Additionally, the way she speaks of “hunger” struck me and has stayed with me even hours after I’ve finished it.

If you’re still debating, you should absolutely read this book. I can’t wait to read her other novels.

christyrice's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

It’s hard to describe how moving I found this book to be. Gay’s brutally honest recounting of her life and her relationship with her body was incredibly powerful. Her prose is beautiful but also accessible. I felt a deep sense of catharsis listening to her describe the complex relationship women, and particularly SA survivors, have with their body. 

Gay’s audiobook narration is also fantastic. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Eating disorder, and Rape

fionab_16's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

librilys's review against another edition

2.0

"Fame" di Roxane Gay è stato pubblicato nel 2017. Ho letto svariati memoir, anche scritti in maniera non così dissimile a questo, che volevo recuperare già da parecchio tempo. Posso dire che non sono rimasta granché colpita. Magari perché la tematica, l'obesità grave, non è tra quelle che mi sono più care. Però è anche vero che la scrittura non è per nulla memorabile. Il libro è scorrevole, si fa leggere e i capitoli sono brevi e si divorano in pochissimo tempo. Non c'è mai un guizzo, qualche frase stilisticamente migliore delle altre, è tutto piuttosto piatto e banale. E inoltre è ripetitivo e molto vittimista. Difficile giudicare un memoir nei suoi contenuti perché sono rappresentativi della storia e della mentalità dell'autrice, certo è che per quanto mi abbia relativamente interessata e tenuta attaccata alle pagine "Fame" non mi ha detto molto di nuovo e soprattutto non me l'ha detto in modo pregevole. Forse mi aspettavo un po' di più rispetto a quello che realisticamente il medio memoir mi poteva dare? Forse sì, o forse no. Però potevo evitare di leggere questa storia. Non l'ho disprezzata e tratta di temi molto delicati e importanti, ma secondo me non è affatto imperdibile.

findyourgoldenhour's review against another edition

5.0

This book broke my heart. The chapters about how our culture deals with obese people, particularly obese women, were smart social commentary. Even women who aren't obese aren't immune: every culture around the globe is invested in controlling women's bodies in some way. There are obvious examples (think burkas and honor killings), but there's also the strict rules in the West about what is acceptable. A billion-dollar diet industry exists because virtually every woman has been taught to hate her body and therefore feels compelled to change it.

These chapters made me angry, but they didn't break my heart.

This book is about a woman who endured a severe childhood trauma. Despite having a family who loves her fiercely, her entire life trajectory was altered by that trauma. The body she inhabits is the result of that trauma, and she lives in a world that judges her body with derision and scorn. I could feel her pain emanating from the page.

allieruth's review against another edition

5.0

another "I should have read this years ago" book. I don't have much to add to the praise it has already been given, but can confirm that it is indeed beautiful, terrible, unflinching - Gay's strong voice and technical skills are simply unrivaled.