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lsparrow's review against another edition
3.0
set in toronto - three young women/roommates negotiate their twenties - careers and relationships both romantic and non. loved all the toronto places and the feel that seems very familiar.
kidzikcan's review against another edition
5.0
What an incredibly affecting read. It's hard to put into words but I really really loved this story and it's message. The foreword asks for the reader to slow down and enjoy the art and I'm so glad it's suggested because this is impeccable comic art. Everything for the composition to the lines and colors is just a master work. I really loved the characters and their struggles, all of it felt very real and raw. So easy to have know real people like this.
My favourite takeaway from all of it was that even the most destructive people deserve love and happiness, I wish Marshall all the best <3
My favourite takeaway from all of it was that even the most destructive people deserve love and happiness, I wish Marshall all the best <3
rakoerose's review against another edition
4.0
“You remember how it felt, don’t you?”
“And I wasn’t any happier.”
As someone who also falls into the category of “not big but not thin” like Anne, this graphic novel made me think back on my high school years and my behaviors back then. Some of them were not healthy, but never to the extent that Anne goes - I’m glad for that. Eating disorders are nothing to trifle with.
This novel really tackles the big issue that is women comparing each other. It’s so strongly encouraged by society for women to think they need to be different or change themselves to be the “ideal”. It’s a toxic mentality that only tends to end in tears. Now, more than ever, I think girls are becoming aware that this mindset is not healthy and we’re being more critical of the negative thoughts. Understanding where they come from (magazines, movies, society, etc) helps to realize that those thoughts don’t have to be your own. You can be totally happy with yourself and just not listen to the popular opinion. The thoughts can still crop up, but being aware of their negativity can reduce their strength if you fight back. Books like this help spread that awareness.
(ps it also helps if you imagine any self-hating thoughts as being told by a 12 year old gamer boy ; I have actually responded to myself mentally by going sure, greg, thanks for your input and moved on - it’s not foolproof, but it works for me!)
I’ve personally worked hard to spin my negative “wish” thoughts into positive ones. Instead of wanting to be someone else, I just love the differences we have. “What a cute skirt!” “They pull off that haircut really well.” When you think everyone else looks bomb and amazing in their uniqueness, you will start to realize you do too.
The message of this graphic novel’s story is to focus on your happiness instead of your weight or physicality. That’s super important for young women to hear. It’s the same thought process I’ve had since before I began high school and probably what saved me from ever falling into any rabbit holes of self hate. I have legs that are strong enough to get me across campus easily. I have arms that are strong enough to help and hug those that I love. That has always mattered so much more than their size.
(I think it also helps that I don’t tend to care what others think about me outside of the people I love, which I know is not possible for some individuals. I’ve always cared more about myself than the vague blob of society - in the end, it’s just going to be me by myself, isn’t it? So what does society’s opinion matter? Idk moving on.)
“Move your goal posts. You want to be thin when you should want to be happy. They’re not the same thing at all.”
To add to this, I think your happiness should also be intrinsically motivated. Don’t do things for the praise of others, do them because you genuinely want to. I want to stress the point of: being thin does not always equal healthy. Jane in this story is super healthy, but also not tiny! Just! Live your life! Everyone is unique! Life is too short!
Being proud of yourself and happy in the skin you’re in is tough and takes a lot of hard work no matter what size you are. But I promise it’s worth it in the end.
Long review short, while this is a big boi of a graphic novel to get through, I enjoyed it and the themes it presents are very important especially for people in their early 20’s or just... people in general. I’m glad I picked it up.
This graphic novel obviously contains massive trigger warnings for anorexia and body image issues.
“And I wasn’t any happier.”
As someone who also falls into the category of “not big but not thin” like Anne, this graphic novel made me think back on my high school years and my behaviors back then. Some of them were not healthy, but never to the extent that Anne goes - I’m glad for that. Eating disorders are nothing to trifle with.
This novel really tackles the big issue that is women comparing each other. It’s so strongly encouraged by society for women to think they need to be different or change themselves to be the “ideal”. It’s a toxic mentality that only tends to end in tears. Now, more than ever, I think girls are becoming aware that this mindset is not healthy and we’re being more critical of the negative thoughts. Understanding where they come from (magazines, movies, society, etc) helps to realize that those thoughts don’t have to be your own. You can be totally happy with yourself and just not listen to the popular opinion. The thoughts can still crop up, but being aware of their negativity can reduce their strength if you fight back. Books like this help spread that awareness.
(ps it also helps if you imagine any self-hating thoughts as being told by a 12 year old gamer boy ; I have actually responded to myself mentally by going sure, greg, thanks for your input and moved on - it’s not foolproof, but it works for me!)
I’ve personally worked hard to spin my negative “wish” thoughts into positive ones. Instead of wanting to be someone else, I just love the differences we have. “What a cute skirt!” “They pull off that haircut really well.” When you think everyone else looks bomb and amazing in their uniqueness, you will start to realize you do too.
The message of this graphic novel’s story is to focus on your happiness instead of your weight or physicality. That’s super important for young women to hear. It’s the same thought process I’ve had since before I began high school and probably what saved me from ever falling into any rabbit holes of self hate. I have legs that are strong enough to get me across campus easily. I have arms that are strong enough to help and hug those that I love. That has always mattered so much more than their size.
(I think it also helps that I don’t tend to care what others think about me outside of the people I love, which I know is not possible for some individuals. I’ve always cared more about myself than the vague blob of society - in the end, it’s just going to be me by myself, isn’t it? So what does society’s opinion matter? Idk moving on.)
“Move your goal posts. You want to be thin when you should want to be happy. They’re not the same thing at all.”
To add to this, I think your happiness should also be intrinsically motivated. Don’t do things for the praise of others, do them because you genuinely want to. I want to stress the point of: being thin does not always equal healthy. Jane in this story is super healthy, but also not tiny! Just! Live your life! Everyone is unique! Life is too short!
Being proud of yourself and happy in the skin you’re in is tough and takes a lot of hard work no matter what size you are. But I promise it’s worth it in the end.
Long review short, while this is a big boi of a graphic novel to get through, I enjoyed it and the themes it presents are very important especially for people in their early 20’s or just... people in general. I’m glad I picked it up.
This graphic novel obviously contains massive trigger warnings for anorexia and body image issues.
alchemicbones's review
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
thegayngelgabriel's review against another edition
4.0
Thoughtful and beautifully made. My favorite characters, though, were the ones on the edges of this story--Jane and Beth and Ryan and Daniel, in particular.
bluenicorn's review against another edition
4.0
"A queer slice-of-life drama about dating and eating." Note that "eating" includes extensive eating disorder discussion that could totally be triggering to someone. But knowing that: this was a really compelling read on multiple levels. Poly and queer relationships are portrayed in a positive way, emphasizing the importance of honesty and communication. The women's friendship is portrayed well, too- in all of its imperfection. ()
But the real "star" here is the approach to eating disorders. There is a very ill, anorexic character- but there is also Anne, our main character, who experiences periods of anorexia, bingeing and purging. "The doctor ruled out anorexia immediately because of my size, Ha." Anne is like many people who live in "normal" or larger sized bodies who also has an eating disorder. "For me it's a week of crumbs and a week of feasts. I've got no balance in this." Marshall, who looks more like what people think anorexics look like, fuels Anne's insecurities but also shows her that thinness is not a panacea. I think it's so important for people to see themselves in books- and this is a glimpse into eating disorders that we don't have enough of.
This was occasionally really hard to read because of the subject matter, but it was good.
Spoiler
I loved when they teamed up for revenge on PriamBut the real "star" here is the approach to eating disorders. There is a very ill, anorexic character- but there is also Anne, our main character, who experiences periods of anorexia, bingeing and purging. "The doctor ruled out anorexia immediately because of my size, Ha." Anne is like many people who live in "normal" or larger sized bodies who also has an eating disorder. "For me it's a week of crumbs and a week of feasts. I've got no balance in this." Marshall, who looks more like what people think anorexics look like, fuels Anne's insecurities but also shows her that thinness is not a panacea. I think it's so important for people to see themselves in books- and this is a glimpse into eating disorders that we don't have enough of.
This was occasionally really hard to read because of the subject matter, but it was good.
arrr's review against another edition
5.0
Difficult discussion of body issues and self love stitched with delightful queer and polyamorous storylines. Beautiful art.
coffee_goblin's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
usernameinvalid's review against another edition
4.0
The colors are gorgeous. The art was beautiful but at times a bit inconsistent. This is a book focusing on body dismorphia, and I think/hope the inconsistencies are purposeful.
This is set in modern day Toronto, where I live, and spotting my city littered through backdrops was joyous.
This is set in modern day Toronto, where I live, and spotting my city littered through backdrops was joyous.