I just finished reading this book about an hour ago and felt I needed to express here how amazing it is.
In Starvation, Fennig masterfully tells the story of a teenage boy whose external expectations, complicated romantic relationship, and personal trauma lead him down a path to anorexia. What makes this book so special is that it works so well on two very different levels. The first level is educational. Fennig dots her narrative with details on what it's like for some to navigate the world with an eating disorder. What does it feel like to do what others find as easy as breathing (namely eating food) when your crushing anxiety makes your body shake and convulse with each mouthful? How can an eating disorder and depression make what is illogical seem not only logical, but self-evident (namely that eating even a tiny amount of food is unhealthy, and why don't my parents and boyfriend understand that?)? What does in-patient treatment for eating disorders look like and what does it feel like? Fennig uses her expertise to answer all of these questions and more, providing the reader with insight and empathy on/for those going through extremely difficult times.
The second level is the narrative and characters. While I expected to learn a lot about eating disorders while reading this book, I was surprised and delighted by how rich the narrative surrounding the main character, Wes McCoy, was. This book is not just about eating disorders, it's about family dynamics, the pressure to succeed, how societal and structural factors make getting help hard (ahem, the American healthcare system), and the desperation with which we try to help those we love and how crushed and small it can make us feel when we realize that their recovery is not in our control. On top of that, the characters that Fennig surrounds Wes with are not 1-dimensional plot devices. They are filled with the richness with which the author instills the entire book, especially Wes' girlfriend, Caila, his best friend, Collin, and his mother.
Making a long story very short: this book is terrific and I strongly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about eating disorders or who is simply looking for a fantastic fiction book to read. Support a young author and get this book today!
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An heartbroken book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 26, 2022