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emldavis001's review
2.0
(4.5) This book was quite difficult because like Elena I also struggle with an Eating Disorder. There were a few times where I had to stop reading to calm myself down. Overall, it was a great book and I'm very glad I decided to read it.
morningside32's review
dark
emotional
reflective
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Eating disorder, and Self harm
catbrigand's review
4.0
I'm a few years younger than Elena Dunkle, and I am a teacher of middle and high school students. I'm depressed to say that among my students, anorexia is still considered a sexy disease. We value thinness and attention to appearance. Anorexia is still seen as a very glamorous illness, an expression of dedication, and a very easy way to drop weight. This memoir shows just how horrifying it really is, the lasting effects (Ms. Dunkle will live with the damage for the rest of her life), and how incredibly difficult it is to overcome. I wish I could give this to all of my students who've quipped about solving their perceived weight issues with skipping meals.
isabella1018's review
3.0
This was really eye opening. I don’t know much about eating disorders, but I feel like this really gave me a snapshot.
heba2's review
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Self harm
the_horror_maven's review
*DNF*
As an eating disorder survivor, I found this book to be extremely triggering. While I understand that it is a memoir, it was too specific and basically came off as a manual for how to be anorexic. The language was also incredibly fatphobic, and Elena was shallow, unrelatable, and unlikeable. I honestly couldn't bring myself to care about her. I'm sorry to say I couldn't force myself to power through this one - it was just dreadful. If you are looking for a good book about eating disorders, try The Girls at 17 Swann Street. The writing is beautiful, and the eating disorder treatment center was almost identical to what I experienced during my various times in intensive treatment. I rarely am insulted by books as I try to empathize with all viewpoints, but I can honestly say that Elena Vanishing was insulting and damaging - and I didn't even finish it.
As an eating disorder survivor, I found this book to be extremely triggering. While I understand that it is a memoir, it was too specific and basically came off as a manual for how to be anorexic. The language was also incredibly fatphobic, and Elena was shallow, unrelatable, and unlikeable. I honestly couldn't bring myself to care about her. I'm sorry to say I couldn't force myself to power through this one - it was just dreadful. If you are looking for a good book about eating disorders, try The Girls at 17 Swann Street. The writing is beautiful, and the eating disorder treatment center was almost identical to what I experienced during my various times in intensive treatment. I rarely am insulted by books as I try to empathize with all viewpoints, but I can honestly say that Elena Vanishing was insulting and damaging - and I didn't even finish it.
vanesst's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Miscarriage
Moderate: Cursing, Blood, Alcohol, Body shaming, Medical content, Rape, Self harm, and Vomit
hayleybeale's review
3.0
I found this intense memoir, about the many years that Elena Dunkle is being treated for anorexia, quite grueling to read. It's well-written and compelling, but puts the reader in the head of a young woman who is obsessed with her number - her weight - and driven by a harsh inner voice. See my full review here.