Thursday

Book Review: Thin

Thin- Grace Bowman
I saw this book in a charity shop the day that I published my response to Company's Skinny Club article. It was such a topical issue for me that I was compelled to read the book. As somebody with personal experience of disordered eating, I was interested to read about it from another's point of view. It tells the story of Grace Bowman- A high-achiever who developed anorexia at the age of 18 and began her recovery a couple of years later. 

The first thing of note is that Bowman admits she is not a doctor. She does not have the answers and, as she is writing from personal experience, she confesses that the book will not be written in a clear, linear fashion. It's interesting that her tale is told in a variety of styles- play script, first-person and third-person narrative, informative. This adds to the sense of disconnection and unease that echoes the feelings of a person in the grip of an eating disorder.
I found that I related to Grace in a lot of ways- Her desire to achieve more constantly, to prove people wrong, to perfect her already high personal standards. I'm sure everybody who reads this book would find a way to identify with her, whether that's her desire to please people, her egotistic need to be the best or her ambitious drive. It does pose the question as to what causes eating disorders and what stops anyone of us developing one. If we relate to so many aspects of her personality, could we just as easily slip into anorexia?
However, I did struggle with her tale of recovery. Bowman explains that she got bored of anorexia and just decided to get better. Although I don't doubt this, it seems over-simplified. I'm sure there must have been more behind this but, of course, to understand the recovery, we need to understand the causes. Perhaps there could have been more exploration into this area.

I also found that the second half of the book began to get very repetitive and unnecessarily long-winded. It was easy to switch off for the waffle and it felt like she was just adding more to fill up the word count. It's a shame as I think the book would have had a lot more power if it was more concise and focused. 

13 comments :

  1. I was really intrigued until I read how she recovers. I definitely agree with that it sounds way too simple to just move on from something that takes over your life with the snap of your fingers. I might read it regardless, it does sound like a powerful story regardless. :) x

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  2. I read this book a few years ago and fell a little bit in love with it.

    It is such an honest book and written so beautifully.

    I agree with your points, especially with the second half getting repetitive but I still felt a little connection..though she could have and should have put a little more effort in..then again it could have become a little harder for her too write by the end? I don't know haha :)

    Katie xo

    kehmrb13.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. That's an interesting way of looking at it.

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  3. This sounds a really interesting read - gonna have to hunt myself down a copy and have a read.

    Emma x
    http://beautyandrags.blogspot.co.uk/

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  4. great review.

    will have to pick this up

    check my blog if you fancy

    www.timewithtiffany.blogspot.co.uk

    x

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  5. looks like an interesting book, I did paper on anorexia for English at school and it was the best one I ever wrote so I do find it interesting to read books on the subject even though I have no personal experience x

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    1. That's interesting. What was your paper about exactly?

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  6. Very interesting review. I think you've sparked my interest. Would like to check this out of the library. Thanks!

    Best,
    Danielle
    http://awriterinlove.blogspot.com

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    1. Let me know what you think if you do read it.

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  7. how did you get your website looking so great???

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    1. I commissioned the design from Kaelah Bee of The Clueless Girl's Guide/

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