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crabbygirl's review
4.0
A photo essay literally depicting the eating disorders of women, only women. some are teenagers, some young mothers, some even in their 40s and 50s. but always and only women. Threaded thru many of their stories is body dysmorphia, sexual abuse, control issues, anxiety and depression. I couldn't help but reflect it was a natural extension of her photo essay from 4 years earlier: Girl Culture. And it made me reflect on the cycling, seemingly contagious, self abuse that girls and women do to themselves as they try to figure out their place in the world: anorexia, bulimia, cutting, and now the newly emerging insistence that they are 'born in the wrong body'. Strangely, this latter affliction is embraced as a panacea; some magic solution to rid the depression, to erase the sexual abuse, to create the perfect body thru drugs and surgery.
asylumteaparty's review
4.0
This book gives a good insight look at how it is to live with an eating disorder and what a battle it can be to try to get healthy. The stories are moving and the photographs are very real.
vhp's review
2.0
Update: People who get triggered because of my review let me try and break this down as simply as possible. There is healthy food. There is unhealthy food. That is a fact no matter how you try and dress it up. Peanuts may be considered healthy, but for others it is not.
Forcing people, who already have an unhealthy relationship with food, to eat junk food is wrong. Eating poison isn't healthy. I don't care who says you should do it; wether it's a dietician, nutritionist, or a doctor (phft). You're not going to change my mind about my review. You don't know my education on food/health/GMO's/additives, or even psychology, etc. If you disagree with my review, then write your own review, but please do not attack me personally. Your assumptions are just that.
To force people with eating disorders; with dismorphia, to eat junk food, is psychologically cruel and most likely physiologically harmful. Here's a bowl of sugar, eat up. What's the harm? These patients need to learn proper nutritious ways of eating. Forcing them to eat junk food is not learning to have a healthy relationship with food. And why are people triggered by my belly fat comment? That is very interesting. I'd like to tap into that psychology.
There is a healthy way of losing weight and there is a healthy way of gaining weight. Renfrew is NOT the healthy way.
_____________________
I don't agree with Renfrew's treatment. Wth would you force someone with an eating disorder to eat junk food? These girls and women need to learn proper ways of eating. And I understand why they don't allow exercise, but because they aren't allowed they get the fat belly and that isn't
Healthy. Eveything in moderation and it isn't being taught at renfrew. The stories of the girls are similar in many ways. I hope they all succeed in bettering their lives.
Let me just add, since there have been a few people who disagree with my opinion on this book. I do not, nor have I ever, had an eating disorder. However, I do believe that food can be medicine, just as I believe food can be poison. Yes! I believe there are good and bad foods. There's nothing you can say to me to change my opinion on this. And how it references to the Renfew's treatment of people who have eating disorders and a bad relationship with food, shouldn't be fed garbage to heal them; emotionally, psychologically, or physically. I stand by that one hundred percent.
Forcing people, who already have an unhealthy relationship with food, to eat junk food is wrong. Eating poison isn't healthy. I don't care who says you should do it; wether it's a dietician, nutritionist, or a doctor (phft). You're not going to change my mind about my review. You don't know my education on food/health/GMO's/additives, or even psychology, etc. If you disagree with my review, then write your own review, but please do not attack me personally. Your assumptions are just that.
To force people with eating disorders; with dismorphia, to eat junk food, is psychologically cruel and most likely physiologically harmful. Here's a bowl of sugar, eat up. What's the harm? These patients need to learn proper nutritious ways of eating. Forcing them to eat junk food is not learning to have a healthy relationship with food. And why are people triggered by my belly fat comment? That is very interesting. I'd like to tap into that psychology.
There is a healthy way of losing weight and there is a healthy way of gaining weight. Renfrew is NOT the healthy way.
_____________________
I don't agree with Renfrew's treatment. Wth would you force someone with an eating disorder to eat junk food? These girls and women need to learn proper ways of eating. And I understand why they don't allow exercise, but because they aren't allowed they get the fat belly and that isn't
Healthy. Eveything in moderation and it isn't being taught at renfrew. The stories of the girls are similar in many ways. I hope they all succeed in bettering their lives.
Let me just add, since there have been a few people who disagree with my opinion on this book. I do not, nor have I ever, had an eating disorder. However, I do believe that food can be medicine, just as I believe food can be poison. Yes! I believe there are good and bad foods. There's nothing you can say to me to change my opinion on this. And how it references to the Renfew's treatment of people who have eating disorders and a bad relationship with food, shouldn't be fed garbage to heal them; emotionally, psychologically, or physically. I stand by that one hundred percent.
madisonhh666's review
4.0
An amazing "coffee table book" based on the wonderful documentary of the same name. It's triggering and the pictures can be upsetting, but the accounts are riveting and informative.
p_tremuloides's review
3.0
As many other reviewers said, the photography is this book is beautiful (although haunting might be a better word). Lauren Greenfield seems to have developed enough of a camaraderie with the girls and women in Renfrew to take fairly candid shots.
Of course, the book also reads like a warning against (and simultaneously propaganda for) Renfrew. You'll (be forced to)eat while not exerting yourself. You might pick up hints and tricks from mother women at the center. You may create some of your first close female friendships. You may wind up hating other patients at Renfrew because they trigger you. The possibilities are wide and extend well beyond those listed in this review.
This book, however, also acts as thinspiration (look at those girls, they're thinner than me) and provides hints and tricks itself. I remember, when this book came out, that was one of the major criticisms of the images and journal entries. That's a criticism I still want to hold, which is why this book receives 3 stars from me.
Of course, the book also reads like a warning against (and simultaneously propaganda for) Renfrew. You'll (be forced to)eat while not exerting yourself. You might pick up hints and tricks from mother women at the center. You may create some of your first close female friendships. You may wind up hating other patients at Renfrew because they trigger you. The possibilities are wide and extend well beyond those listed in this review.
This book, however, also acts as thinspiration (look at those girls, they're thinner than me) and provides hints and tricks itself. I remember, when this book came out, that was one of the major criticisms of the images and journal entries. That's a criticism I still want to hold, which is why this book receives 3 stars from me.
payton_elayne's review
5.0
A year ago this book would have been heartbreaking and informative while distant and out of reach. Now, as I have a friend with an eating disorder that went to renfrew, the book offers a deeper look into the struggles that I have experienced second-hand. What better way to begin to understand mental illness than to be told about it by one who struggles with it?
Lauren Greenfield’s photographs show a rare look into a disorder that is misunderstood and marginalized in our culture. The candor and insight of the stories from the women in treatment alongside their raw, vulnerable journal entries allows the reader to see the recovery journey of one with ED.
If you are a support for a loved one with ED I recommend this book. Take deep breaths and cry if you need too, but the honesty in this book allowed me to further grasp how I can support my loved ones with ED.
Lauren Greenfield’s photographs show a rare look into a disorder that is misunderstood and marginalized in our culture. The candor and insight of the stories from the women in treatment alongside their raw, vulnerable journal entries allows the reader to see the recovery journey of one with ED.
If you are a support for a loved one with ED I recommend this book. Take deep breaths and cry if you need too, but the honesty in this book allowed me to further grasp how I can support my loved ones with ED.