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ampersandinc's review against another edition
4.0
warning: Elena describes her miscarriage at 17 at home in her bathroom.
mizzy8090's review against another edition
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
ljmellon's review against another edition
3.0
I found myself wanting more from this book.
Here we discover the story of Elena who is struggling with an eating disorder. The book is kind of a memoir, but was adapted slightly to become more of a story. All the main events are true as well as the letters featured in the story. Only small sections of the book have been fabricated as such to make it into more of a novel. It has been co written by Elena and her mother, Elena would try to retell the events and therefore her mother turned it into a book.
I really believe I would have preferred it if this book kept completely true to its word and was published completely as a non fiction book, the true story of Elena Dunkle. I found it fascinating reading of her hardships and the mental distress she went through throughout the years of suffering with anorexia.
I found the writing style a bit messy at times as it chopped and changed all over the place interrupting the flow and timeline of the events occurring. A story this powerful did not need to have events inserted to make more interesting or flow better. The real treasure and focus of this book is the a heartbreaking story and timeline that Elena undertook to find her way to recovery.
Overall I have mixed feelings with this book. Found it very fascinating following the seriousness of this issue but struggled a little with the writing style.
Here we discover the story of Elena who is struggling with an eating disorder. The book is kind of a memoir, but was adapted slightly to become more of a story. All the main events are true as well as the letters featured in the story. Only small sections of the book have been fabricated as such to make it into more of a novel. It has been co written by Elena and her mother, Elena would try to retell the events and therefore her mother turned it into a book.
I really believe I would have preferred it if this book kept completely true to its word and was published completely as a non fiction book, the true story of Elena Dunkle. I found it fascinating reading of her hardships and the mental distress she went through throughout the years of suffering with anorexia.
I found the writing style a bit messy at times as it chopped and changed all over the place interrupting the flow and timeline of the events occurring. A story this powerful did not need to have events inserted to make more interesting or flow better. The real treasure and focus of this book is the a heartbreaking story and timeline that Elena undertook to find her way to recovery.
Overall I have mixed feelings with this book. Found it very fascinating following the seriousness of this issue but struggled a little with the writing style.
maceyhoff3's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
juliasapphire's review against another edition
3.0
Trigger Warnings: Eating Disorders, Self Harm, and Rape
I personally read novels involving mental illness quite often. Though I have never really read books involving eating disorders. In Identical by Ellen Hopkins there is an eating disorder element but it was not the main focus. Those who are wondering this is a memory of Elena Dunkle who is sharing her experience with anorexia. We see her relationship with food and the voice in her head always telling her she is never enough. We see how this effects her parents and family a bit as well.
Those who are unaware about anorexia, I will insert a bit of info on it provided from eatingdisorderhope.com:
This book again is extremely triggering so if you are recovering from an eating disorder make sure you are ready enough to pick up a book like this.
The writing was just average or a bit under. It was a gripping read and I read it very quickly! Some things I feel could have been taken out and some things just didn't connect- I guess. I also found something to be missing for me, there is usually an extra something with books like this but this lacked that for me. I do believe that this really gives others insight to the disorder. Some things did feel jumpy but overall it gets it's message across.
I found the rape aspect in this novel came out of no where. I thought it was just there to give an "explanation" for her eating disorder. I know this is a memoir and by no means am I bashing this girl but I feel like the resolution was sudden and didn't feel fleshed out enough.
I would still recommend this to those interested in novels involving eating disorders. I do want explore more books similar to this. I felt this was powerful and hard hitting but was ultimately missing something.
“Where does thin become fat? Where does success become failure? Where does a great future become a horrible past full of heartache and regret?”
I personally read novels involving mental illness quite often. Though I have never really read books involving eating disorders. In Identical by Ellen Hopkins there is an eating disorder element but it was not the main focus. Those who are wondering this is a memory of Elena Dunkle who is sharing her experience with anorexia. We see her relationship with food and the voice in her head always telling her she is never enough. We see how this effects her parents and family a bit as well.
"Anger is honest. Hatred is backhanded compliment. Envy is the best git of all. But let them turn you into a victim, and you're labeled for life. Pity is the sea you drown in"
Those who are unaware about anorexia, I will insert a bit of info on it provided from eatingdisorderhope.com:
"Anorexia Nervosa is a psychological and possibly life-threatening eating disorder defined by an extremely low body weight relative to stature (this is called BMI [Body Mass Index] and is a function of an individual’s height and weight), extreme and needless weight loss, illogical fear of weight gain, and distorted perception of self-image and body."
This book again is extremely triggering so if you are recovering from an eating disorder make sure you are ready enough to pick up a book like this.
The writing was just average or a bit under. It was a gripping read and I read it very quickly! Some things I feel could have been taken out and some things just didn't connect- I guess. I also found something to be missing for me, there is usually an extra something with books like this but this lacked that for me. I do believe that this really gives others insight to the disorder. Some things did feel jumpy but overall it gets it's message across.
I found the rape aspect in this novel came out of no where. I thought it was just there to give an "explanation" for her eating disorder. I know this is a memoir and by no means am I bashing this girl but I feel like the resolution was sudden and didn't feel fleshed out enough.
I would still recommend this to those interested in novels involving eating disorders. I do want explore more books similar to this. I felt this was powerful and hard hitting but was ultimately missing something.
runninglaur's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely has a young adult voice but tells a genuine story well.
naenaebug's review against another edition
3.0
A good viewpoint into what goes on inside with an ED rather than looking at it from the outside.
bivie's review against another edition
3.0
A different perspective on recovery from eating disorders than is normally portrayed in books. Was interesting and quick read.