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A Trick of the Light
Telling a story of a rarely recognized segment of eating disorder sufferers—young men— A Trick of the Light by Lois Metzger is a book for fans of the complex characters and emotional truths in Laurie Halse Anderson's Wintergirls and Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why . Mike Welles had everything under control. But that was before. Now things are rough at home, and they're getting confusing at school. He's losing his sense of direction, and he feels like he's a mess. Then there's a voice in his head. A friend, who's trying to help him get control again. More than that—the voice can guide him to become faster and stronger than he was before, to rid his life of everything that's holding him back. To figure out who he is again. If only Mike will listen.
189 pages, Hardcover
First published June 18, 2013
About the author
Lois Metzger
16 books72 followersLois Metzger was born in Queens, New York City. Three of her five young-adult novels take place in Belle Heights, an invented Queens neighborhood that is boring on purpose to stand in stark contrast to the dramatic life of her characters. She has also written two nonfiction books about the Holocaust, and has edited five anthologies of original short stories. She lives near Washington Square Park in New York with her husband, son, and a tuxedo cat. Someone once told her that black-and-white cats were the best, which she thought made no sense. Now she's a believer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 267 reviews
June 18, 2013
A Trick of the Light is a short and terrifying read. Very few things are more dangerous than lack of self-confidence, more frightening than a distorted self-image. In truth, if I were to make a list of the oddest books I’ve read in my life, this one would be at the very top. It is such a strange little book that will probably have a niche audience, but easily found myself among its fans.
It’s not the plot or the characters that will make or break this book for most readers, it’s the choice of a narrator. Instead of making Mike the narrator of this story, Metzger decided to give voice to his eating disorder, a constant nagging presence in his head. In its own words, this voice knows Mike better than he knows himself and it thinks it has Mike’s best interests at heart. The voice is stalkerish and creepy, and even life-threatening at times.
Mike and I are closer than twins; we are one, a team sharing the same space. He is the physical manifestation of me, and I am the best part of him.
This is my first book by Lois Metzger so I can’t be sure whether her writing style is usually this sparse or if she made it so to emphasize the rawness of the story, but I must confess she did an extraordinary job. Her sentences are bared to the bone, her dialogues constructed to resemble a play. By stripping her narration of all that is inessential she made the cynicism and the ill intentions of the voice that much stronger.
Only 10 % of people with eating disorders are male, which made Mike’s story all the more interesting. He is just a boy – a bit angry, a bit neglected, caught in the middle of his parents’ separation and divorce. He finds comfort in food and then he despises himself for it, so when a voice inside his head starts convincing him that he can be better, stronger, better, invincible – if only he would stop eating and start exercising even more – Mike is quick to obey.
The voice does not like competition and it works diligently to isolate Mike, to convince him that his parents and his friends hate him. It keeps filling Mike’s head with hate and aggression, until the only thing he really trusts becomes a distorted mirror in his bedroom. Anorexia is a serious illness that destroys the body methodically, and Metzger gave it a voice that is both relentless and mean. In less than 200 pages, she told a story that will creep you out and stay with you for a very long time.
It’s not the plot or the characters that will make or break this book for most readers, it’s the choice of a narrator. Instead of making Mike the narrator of this story, Metzger decided to give voice to his eating disorder, a constant nagging presence in his head. In its own words, this voice knows Mike better than he knows himself and it thinks it has Mike’s best interests at heart. The voice is stalkerish and creepy, and even life-threatening at times.
Mike and I are closer than twins; we are one, a team sharing the same space. He is the physical manifestation of me, and I am the best part of him.
This is my first book by Lois Metzger so I can’t be sure whether her writing style is usually this sparse or if she made it so to emphasize the rawness of the story, but I must confess she did an extraordinary job. Her sentences are bared to the bone, her dialogues constructed to resemble a play. By stripping her narration of all that is inessential she made the cynicism and the ill intentions of the voice that much stronger.
Only 10 % of people with eating disorders are male, which made Mike’s story all the more interesting. He is just a boy – a bit angry, a bit neglected, caught in the middle of his parents’ separation and divorce. He finds comfort in food and then he despises himself for it, so when a voice inside his head starts convincing him that he can be better, stronger, better, invincible – if only he would stop eating and start exercising even more – Mike is quick to obey.
The voice does not like competition and it works diligently to isolate Mike, to convince him that his parents and his friends hate him. It keeps filling Mike’s head with hate and aggression, until the only thing he really trusts becomes a distorted mirror in his bedroom. Anorexia is a serious illness that destroys the body methodically, and Metzger gave it a voice that is both relentless and mean. In less than 200 pages, she told a story that will creep you out and stay with you for a very long time.
November 30, 2013
Of late, I have been blown away by the quality literature written and marketed for young adults. Some of the characteristics of "quality" for me in relation to this genre are:
Eating disorders are conditions defined by abnormal eating habits that may involve either insufficient or excessive food intake to the detriment of an individual's physical and mental health. Bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa are the most common specific forms. Bulimia nervosa is a disorder characterized by binge eating and purging. Anorexia nervosa is characterized by extreme food restriction to the point of self-starvation and excessive weight loss.
Though primarily thought of as affecting females, an estimated 10 – 15% of people with eating disorders are males. Staggeringly males are often overlooked, understudied and underreported because "it's a girl's disease".
A Trick of the Light follows Mike Welles' struggle with anorexia nervosa. Told in a formidable voice, the story is narrated by the anorexia itself; a very different and intriguing way to tell his story. Given the precise cause of eating disorders is not entirely understood, the disorder narration was extremely compelling in giving the reader an insight into the psyche of a sufferer and how eating disorders have ways of manipulating the truth. A Trick of the Light also takes the reader through the consequences of eating disorders if not caught and treated. I learnt a great deal from this book.
I applaud Lois Metzger in her decision to tell this story and for highlighting the misconception that eating disorders can only happen to girls. It is a crucial topic – so often boys are overlooked when it comes to issues such as these. A Trick of the Light is raw and real – it is a book that both teens and parents will connect with.
- the reader walks away from the book with a lot to think about.A Trick of the Light by Lois Metzger ticks all of the above. It is a powerful read that sheds light on an important issue - eating disorders.
- the characters are memorable and the dialogue authentic.
- there is an effective, clear writing style.
- meticulous research goes in to fact and detail.
- ideas are original and realistic, not tedious and predictable.
Eating disorders are conditions defined by abnormal eating habits that may involve either insufficient or excessive food intake to the detriment of an individual's physical and mental health. Bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa are the most common specific forms. Bulimia nervosa is a disorder characterized by binge eating and purging. Anorexia nervosa is characterized by extreme food restriction to the point of self-starvation and excessive weight loss.
Though primarily thought of as affecting females, an estimated 10 – 15% of people with eating disorders are males. Staggeringly males are often overlooked, understudied and underreported because "it's a girl's disease".
A Trick of the Light follows Mike Welles' struggle with anorexia nervosa. Told in a formidable voice, the story is narrated by the anorexia itself; a very different and intriguing way to tell his story. Given the precise cause of eating disorders is not entirely understood, the disorder narration was extremely compelling in giving the reader an insight into the psyche of a sufferer and how eating disorders have ways of manipulating the truth. A Trick of the Light also takes the reader through the consequences of eating disorders if not caught and treated. I learnt a great deal from this book.
I applaud Lois Metzger in her decision to tell this story and for highlighting the misconception that eating disorders can only happen to girls. It is a crucial topic – so often boys are overlooked when it comes to issues such as these. A Trick of the Light is raw and real – it is a book that both teens and parents will connect with.
June 18, 2013
What a strange little book this was. Narrated by anorexia, A Trick of the Light is a lightning fast story about a boy who's has a run-in with this illness. I felt it was a little like an afternoon special on fast forward, but I did enjoy the book nonetheless. It touches on a topic that is so often misunderstood, told in the unique voice of the illness itself. Because for someone with anorexia, it becomes exactly that: an entity that takes over your thoughts, your life.
This choice of narrator is excellent as it shows the aggressive nature of the disease. It puts in the forefront how brutally insistent it becomes and I appreciated the ugly truth of it all. Mike, like so many teenagers, has problems with his self image which quickly turns unhealthy when he meets a girl who tells him her secrets: how to eat as little as possible, and how to hide this habit from others. Finally, getting through to him at last, anorexia exclaims. As quickly as this book moves, the narrator makes it easy to understand how this illness can take over your thoughts so thoroughly and dangerously. It's incredibly sad to understand how someone can lose themselves to such a treacherous disease. I also liked that it was a boy dealing with it, as society can make it sound like it's only girls who have critically distorted self-images.
This plot goes from point A to Point B to resolution in under 200 pages, thus it doesn't go very in-depth in regards to the emotional and physical consequences the disease evokes. It's more a quick foray into the life of someone who briefly succumbed to it. While it's not unrealistic, it doesn't bring us into the abyss that Mike is trapped in. I instead felt like I was simply reading a recap.
A Trick of the Light does raise an important message, now more than ever in this Photoshopped media world we're living in. It's a moving, uniquely told story about a highly destructive disorder.
--
A copy was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
This choice of narrator is excellent as it shows the aggressive nature of the disease. It puts in the forefront how brutally insistent it becomes and I appreciated the ugly truth of it all. Mike, like so many teenagers, has problems with his self image which quickly turns unhealthy when he meets a girl who tells him her secrets: how to eat as little as possible, and how to hide this habit from others. Finally, getting through to him at last, anorexia exclaims. As quickly as this book moves, the narrator makes it easy to understand how this illness can take over your thoughts so thoroughly and dangerously. It's incredibly sad to understand how someone can lose themselves to such a treacherous disease. I also liked that it was a boy dealing with it, as society can make it sound like it's only girls who have critically distorted self-images.
This plot goes from point A to Point B to resolution in under 200 pages, thus it doesn't go very in-depth in regards to the emotional and physical consequences the disease evokes. It's more a quick foray into the life of someone who briefly succumbed to it. While it's not unrealistic, it doesn't bring us into the abyss that Mike is trapped in. I instead felt like I was simply reading a recap.
A Trick of the Light does raise an important message, now more than ever in this Photoshopped media world we're living in. It's a moving, uniquely told story about a highly destructive disorder.
--
A copy was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
June 27, 2013
NOT for Girls Only
A Trick of the Light by Lois Metzger is about the fifteen year old Mike who's suffering from Anorexia.
When his parents' relationship is falling apart and things are getting confusing in school, Mike is starting to listen to the voice in his head encouraging him "to get faster, stronger, thinner and rid of everyone holding him back".
The voice in his head, his Eating Disorder, is also the narrative voice of the story; and if telling a story about illness by illness itself is not a unique way of telling it, I don´t know what else shall be.
The authors' choice of voice was a brilliant one as it gave a unique inside in the way mental illness influences somebody and overtakes all thoughts to the point that you're not able with the voice anymore.
Besides the narrative voice, I liked the fact that this book dealt with a male suffering from Eating Disorder.
As society nowadays still sees Anorexia as a female problem, this book raised an important message:
Hence, I really liked the concept and the idea of A trick of the Light however, I feel some parts weren't that great executed.
For the greatest part it felt like the author was in kind of a rush to tell her story, though the book already is pretty thin with its 200 pages.
The plot went from point A to point B to point C without detours or great suprises. It was actually quite predictable and pretty much what I expected to happen from the start.
The books' shortness leads to the problem that the story doesn't go really in-depth in terms of the emotional and physical consequences of Mike's illness.
I never felt emotionally attached to Mike which is a consequence of the reasons named and the form of dialogue Metzger choose. She acutally just writes the conversation down without further explaining how and why the person's saying this and that:
Mike: "..."
Mom: "..."
Mike: "..."
etc.
To sum it up, I had my problems with this book but I liked it neverthess! It's a quick read & interesting read with a great perspective.
If you're interested in the topic and do not expect a super emotional read, I'd recommend it!
A Trick of the Light by Lois Metzger is about the fifteen year old Mike who's suffering from Anorexia.
When his parents' relationship is falling apart and things are getting confusing in school, Mike is starting to listen to the voice in his head encouraging him "to get faster, stronger, thinner and rid of everyone holding him back".
The voice in his head, his Eating Disorder, is also the narrative voice of the story; and if telling a story about illness by illness itself is not a unique way of telling it, I don´t know what else shall be.
The authors' choice of voice was a brilliant one as it gave a unique inside in the way mental illness influences somebody and overtakes all thoughts to the point that you're not able with the voice anymore.
Besides the narrative voice, I liked the fact that this book dealt with a male suffering from Eating Disorder.
As society nowadays still sees Anorexia as a female problem, this book raised an important message:
Hence, I really liked the concept and the idea of A trick of the Light however, I feel some parts weren't that great executed.
For the greatest part it felt like the author was in kind of a rush to tell her story, though the book already is pretty thin with its 200 pages.
The plot went from point A to point B to point C without detours or great suprises. It was actually quite predictable and pretty much what I expected to happen from the start.
The books' shortness leads to the problem that the story doesn't go really in-depth in terms of the emotional and physical consequences of Mike's illness.
I never felt emotionally attached to Mike which is a consequence of the reasons named and the form of dialogue Metzger choose. She acutally just writes the conversation down without further explaining how and why the person's saying this and that:
Mike: "..."
Mom: "..."
Mike: "..."
etc.
To sum it up, I had my problems with this book but I liked it neverthess! It's a quick read & interesting read with a great perspective.
If you're interested in the topic and do not expect a super emotional read, I'd recommend it!
March 21, 2020
Click here to see this review and others on my blog Reading With Daniella
A Trick of the Light is a book that I’ve been wanting to read for years, and I’m so glad that I finally picked it up. It was a very well-written, unique, and thought-provoking story. It was down-right terrifying at times, as well as quite eye-opening.
The idea to write this book from the perspective of anorexia was so brilliant and unique. I can’t think of any other books I’ve read that are narrated by something other than a character, although I believe The Book Thief does something similar with death being the narrator. I think that this writing style added so much dimension to the book and made for a very fascinating and entirely unforgettable read.
This is the first and only book I have ever seen that is about a boy with an eating disorder. It’s really unfortunate that this demographic is never represented in literature, because even though a lot of people seem to view anorexia and other eating disorders as things that only girls struggle with, a lot of men do too. According to the statistics in the book (which is a few years old), of the 10 million people in the USA with eating disorders, 10% of them are male. That means that there are one million men in the USA struggling with an eating disorder, and yet you never see books or movies or anything about it, or at least I don’t. That is why representation is so, so important!! Mental illness does not discriminate - it can affect anyone of any age and gender, and it’s time that we start seeing more diversity when it comes to mental illness representation in books.
Furthermore, I liked how short the book was because I was able to fly right through it. However, I feel like the ending was rushed and I would have liked to have seen that part drawn out a bit longer.
A Trick of the Light certainly left an impression on me; this is a story that I will remember for many years to come.
A Trick of the Light is a book that I’ve been wanting to read for years, and I’m so glad that I finally picked it up. It was a very well-written, unique, and thought-provoking story. It was down-right terrifying at times, as well as quite eye-opening.
The idea to write this book from the perspective of anorexia was so brilliant and unique. I can’t think of any other books I’ve read that are narrated by something other than a character, although I believe The Book Thief does something similar with death being the narrator. I think that this writing style added so much dimension to the book and made for a very fascinating and entirely unforgettable read.
This is the first and only book I have ever seen that is about a boy with an eating disorder. It’s really unfortunate that this demographic is never represented in literature, because even though a lot of people seem to view anorexia and other eating disorders as things that only girls struggle with, a lot of men do too. According to the statistics in the book (which is a few years old), of the 10 million people in the USA with eating disorders, 10% of them are male. That means that there are one million men in the USA struggling with an eating disorder, and yet you never see books or movies or anything about it, or at least I don’t. That is why representation is so, so important!! Mental illness does not discriminate - it can affect anyone of any age and gender, and it’s time that we start seeing more diversity when it comes to mental illness representation in books.
Furthermore, I liked how short the book was because I was able to fly right through it. However, I feel like the ending was rushed and I would have liked to have seen that part drawn out a bit longer.
A Trick of the Light certainly left an impression on me; this is a story that I will remember for many years to come.
June 18, 2013
Review first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7
I received a copy from FSB Associates in exchange for an honest review
A Trick of the Light by Lois Metzger is a very powerful and honest novel that explores the dark world of eating disorders and how young males can be just as affected as young females. Whereas I've read novels with teenage girls losing themselves piece by piece to the addicting and disastrous nature of wanting to be "thin,", none were as disturbing and honest as this one.
Told in an unconventional way, A Trick of the Light is a quick, surprisingly informative, shocking novel with a protagonist that can really be anyone you know, which makes Metzger's novel more memorable.
Mike, the protagonist, is a kid who not only has body issues, but a difficult home life, where his parents are a little too busy doing things for themselves, or wallowing in their own self-pity to realize their son isn't exactly OK. We immediately sympathize with Mike because of his living conditions, but much like he does with others around him as he descends into his eating disorder, he pushes us away by being snappy or rude. This is also the disorder's way of pushing us away, because really, we're helpless while we watch Mike's health fall more and more into dangerous levels.
The prose is quickly paced and addicting, despite the dark theme. Though the novel is short, we learn a lot about how an eating disorder can materialize while we're at our weakest and when we need order in the chaos of life.
I also enjoyed (and cringed) at the honesty found in A Trick of the Light when it comes to obesity vs anorexia, but I also liked reading how even those challenged by what they see in the mirror can find a way to look beyond the surface of a person, no matter their size.
This may be a little weird, but sometimes it felt like Mike was actually a girl suffering from an eating disorder, but then I'd be reminded by a comment, or action that he was in fact a boy. I think this tendency to read his character as androgynous plays into the idea that eating disorders don't pick a specific gender: they are present in every gender and at any age.
The most interesting part is how Mike's love for film is a constant in his world, even as he becomes more and more focused on his physical image. I was also happy to see the power and encouragement that followed Mike when he thought that no one else cared about him, playing into the idea that we aren't as alone as we think we are.
Metzger's novel is an inspiring and must-read young adult book. The message is clear of just how dangerous it has become to be a young adult in today's contemporary world where size zero is ideal, and where eating with gusto is frowned upon. A Trick of the Light also challenges us to not judge others by their outward appearances in terms of how they feel emotionally, and how complex their home lives may be--we can never truly know how someone is doing if they are unwilling to tell us the truth.
I also think that A Trick of the Light shows us how difficult it is to say no to eating disorders once they have a hold of us. The issues that come with eating disorders, such as: the obsession with looking better, the inability to see ourselves the way others do, and the unrealistic goals we may set for ourselves, are incredibly difficult to overcome, no matter how much we want to stop. In a way, a certain part of the novel shows just how difficult and overpowering eating disorders can be, and that message alone shows how honest Metzger's novel is, because she doesn't offer easy solutions, but realistic ones that leave us to wonder if the solutions are long-term, or short-term.
I recommend A Trick of the Light to any readers who like a thought-provoking young adult contemporary novel. The narrative, which I will not spoil for you, is haunting and terrifying, and the description of just how overpowering eating disorders can be will definitely surprise readers.
I received a copy from FSB Associates in exchange for an honest review
A Trick of the Light by Lois Metzger is a very powerful and honest novel that explores the dark world of eating disorders and how young males can be just as affected as young females. Whereas I've read novels with teenage girls losing themselves piece by piece to the addicting and disastrous nature of wanting to be "thin,", none were as disturbing and honest as this one.
Told in an unconventional way, A Trick of the Light is a quick, surprisingly informative, shocking novel with a protagonist that can really be anyone you know, which makes Metzger's novel more memorable.
Mike, the protagonist, is a kid who not only has body issues, but a difficult home life, where his parents are a little too busy doing things for themselves, or wallowing in their own self-pity to realize their son isn't exactly OK. We immediately sympathize with Mike because of his living conditions, but much like he does with others around him as he descends into his eating disorder, he pushes us away by being snappy or rude. This is also the disorder's way of pushing us away, because really, we're helpless while we watch Mike's health fall more and more into dangerous levels.
The prose is quickly paced and addicting, despite the dark theme. Though the novel is short, we learn a lot about how an eating disorder can materialize while we're at our weakest and when we need order in the chaos of life.
I also enjoyed (and cringed) at the honesty found in A Trick of the Light when it comes to obesity vs anorexia, but I also liked reading how even those challenged by what they see in the mirror can find a way to look beyond the surface of a person, no matter their size.
This may be a little weird, but sometimes it felt like Mike was actually a girl suffering from an eating disorder, but then I'd be reminded by a comment, or action that he was in fact a boy. I think this tendency to read his character as androgynous plays into the idea that eating disorders don't pick a specific gender: they are present in every gender and at any age.
The most interesting part is how Mike's love for film is a constant in his world, even as he becomes more and more focused on his physical image. I was also happy to see the power and encouragement that followed Mike when he thought that no one else cared about him, playing into the idea that we aren't as alone as we think we are.
Metzger's novel is an inspiring and must-read young adult book. The message is clear of just how dangerous it has become to be a young adult in today's contemporary world where size zero is ideal, and where eating with gusto is frowned upon. A Trick of the Light also challenges us to not judge others by their outward appearances in terms of how they feel emotionally, and how complex their home lives may be--we can never truly know how someone is doing if they are unwilling to tell us the truth.
I also think that A Trick of the Light shows us how difficult it is to say no to eating disorders once they have a hold of us. The issues that come with eating disorders, such as: the obsession with looking better, the inability to see ourselves the way others do, and the unrealistic goals we may set for ourselves, are incredibly difficult to overcome, no matter how much we want to stop. In a way, a certain part of the novel shows just how difficult and overpowering eating disorders can be, and that message alone shows how honest Metzger's novel is, because she doesn't offer easy solutions, but realistic ones that leave us to wonder if the solutions are long-term, or short-term.
I recommend A Trick of the Light to any readers who like a thought-provoking young adult contemporary novel. The narrative, which I will not spoil for you, is haunting and terrifying, and the description of just how overpowering eating disorders can be will definitely surprise readers.
December 19, 2016
Wow. This book has honestly left me speechless. It tells an amazing story about something you wouldn't expect. It has some pretty heavy content, but the story is unbelievable. And yet it's completely believable. Because you know these things happen. They're just not as widely heard of. You know, it took me until around the last 40-50 pages to figure out who/what was telling the story. But once I figured it out, the story felt extremely real. This book is truly touching and is a story I wish that everyone could read.
March 8, 2024
Certainly a YA. Makes me not want to have children for fear that they end up as insufferable and helpless as Mike. I GET IT THOUGH - just tough to hear him turn into an asshole because of his disease.
June 20, 2013
MY THOUGHTS:
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT
Mike Welles is a responsible teen, he plays baseball, has good friends and makes decent grades. Then, the unthinkable happens, his parents marriage starts falling apart and with it, his world. One by one, he pushes his friends away and withdraws. Mike starts stress eating and packs on a few pounds. Amber, a girl he has known since kindergarten, reaches out to him, telling him slyly about how she handles her home issues by controlling what she can: her appetite. Through his eating, Mike learns to gain control over one part of his life, while the rest of it disintegrates.
As Mike finds himself loosing control over his home life, his disease takes over, speaking to him and dominating all of his thoughts. Even though he doesn't realize it, friends and teachers have contacted his parents about how much Mike has changed. For all their faults, his parents really do care and when they see what is happening to him, they get him help. The voice of his anorexia makes it so easy for Mike to disconnect and almost fold back into himself as he stops eating. Sent to a hospital for eating disorders, he finally quiets the voice in his head.
This book is amazingly heart-wrenching and told in such a quiet way, that you it makes you realize how insidiously an eating disorder can sneak up on some one. I really liked Mike and he was very sympathetic in that you could see his world unravel and the unique voice he has since most books about eating disorders are written from a female protagonist's point of view. I hadn't realize that so many males deal with this issue until I read the acknowledgements and did a bit of research to find that there are a lot of guys with this problem. Parents: This is an important read for everyone and yes, even though it is about a very sad topic, it contains a lot of important messages and should spark some wonderful discussions.
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT
Mike Welles is a responsible teen, he plays baseball, has good friends and makes decent grades. Then, the unthinkable happens, his parents marriage starts falling apart and with it, his world. One by one, he pushes his friends away and withdraws. Mike starts stress eating and packs on a few pounds. Amber, a girl he has known since kindergarten, reaches out to him, telling him slyly about how she handles her home issues by controlling what she can: her appetite. Through his eating, Mike learns to gain control over one part of his life, while the rest of it disintegrates.
As Mike finds himself loosing control over his home life, his disease takes over, speaking to him and dominating all of his thoughts. Even though he doesn't realize it, friends and teachers have contacted his parents about how much Mike has changed. For all their faults, his parents really do care and when they see what is happening to him, they get him help. The voice of his anorexia makes it so easy for Mike to disconnect and almost fold back into himself as he stops eating. Sent to a hospital for eating disorders, he finally quiets the voice in his head.
This book is amazingly heart-wrenching and told in such a quiet way, that you it makes you realize how insidiously an eating disorder can sneak up on some one. I really liked Mike and he was very sympathetic in that you could see his world unravel and the unique voice he has since most books about eating disorders are written from a female protagonist's point of view. I hadn't realize that so many males deal with this issue until I read the acknowledgements and did a bit of research to find that there are a lot of guys with this problem. Parents: This is an important read for everyone and yes, even though it is about a very sad topic, it contains a lot of important messages and should spark some wonderful discussions.
April 14, 2017
3.5 stars. This book had a unique take on anorexia– not only because it focuses on a major boy character, but also because of the unique style. Here, anorexia is a character narrating the story.
It's a wonderfully creative idea, but does it work? Yes and no. Aside from the lovely writing and the important subject matter, there's not much that sets this apart from any other YA contemporary. A solid YA contemporary, but not much more.
While the main characters are realistic, they're not fully developed. While Metzger makes Mike's character believable, she doesn't take that extra step to develop a memorable main character.
Thankfully, this does have a few high notes. Lois Metzger's unique style is definitely worth appreciating. It's strange and slightly removed, but after you get used to it, it's enjoyable.
Unfortunately, while there are things I like about this story, it's not a must-read by any means. It's definitely a solid story, it just didn't impress me all that much.
It's a wonderfully creative idea, but does it work? Yes and no. Aside from the lovely writing and the important subject matter, there's not much that sets this apart from any other YA contemporary. A solid YA contemporary, but not much more.
While the main characters are realistic, they're not fully developed. While Metzger makes Mike's character believable, she doesn't take that extra step to develop a memorable main character.
Thankfully, this does have a few high notes. Lois Metzger's unique style is definitely worth appreciating. It's strange and slightly removed, but after you get used to it, it's enjoyable.
Unfortunately, while there are things I like about this story, it's not a must-read by any means. It's definitely a solid story, it just didn't impress me all that much.
January 19, 2013
I picked this book up and within five pages I had forgotten where I was. The premise is intriguing and built into the writing style itself. First person present-tense narrative, from a voice inside the protagonist's mind. Who does this voice belong to? I had no clue what was happening to Mike until it became obvious to the people around him, and in that way I was taken along for the ride at exactly the right pace. Written expertly, with just the right amount of information given. I would recommend this book to anyone! I don't want to spoil the reading process by telling you the important issue the book addresses (if you haven't guessed it already), but I'll just say that I was pleasantly surprised by the importance and relevance of this story. And I loved all the characters. They were all so real.
October 5, 2018
This book is different from anything I read. The writing is different from the point of view of anorexia. The main character is a male dealing with anorexia. Which is different. Interesting and fast read but felt like I couldn’t connect with any of the characters and was hard to put myself in their shoes. 3.5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
May 17, 2018
Before I start this review, I want to say that I struggled with anorexia for nearly five years of my life, and its trauma is still something I deal with on a day-to-day basis.
I picked up this book purely because it's about a boy with an eating disorder. That topic is underwritten and often overlooked, even though it's estimated that around 10% of people with eating disorders are men. And as of right now, anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.
When I picked this book up I was surprised to find that it's told from the point of view of the disorder itself. It's told in first person from Anorexia. I know this isn't an own-voices book, so I went into it a little weary, but the first scene already had me thrown off.
Anorexia is portrayed as something Mike catches. An eating disorder isn't a cold. Like any mental illness, it develops with time. Sometimes because of trauma and you need control, or sometimes because you're obsessed with food. But it isn't contagious. Throughout the story, I felt as if the narration kept Mike at bay. We didn't get to feel a lot of his emotions, and it played out like a LifeTime movie. He gets an eating disorder in one day, drops fifty pounds in a snap, and then suddenly gets better. Hate to break it to you, it don't work like that.
Even three years after my initial treatment, I still have to cross out calorie facts so I don't count everything I eat. I have to set food timers because my sense of hunger is so warped. I can barely eat a donut without feeling disgusted with myself and still have to stop myself from drinking an excessive amount of coffee. The healing process is slow, torturous, and unforgiving. It doesn't happen in a day.
Also, Amber, the only other character we can call main, is entirely two-dimensional. She's nothing but a walking, talking stereotype of media portrayed anorexia. We also never get any closure on her.
.
The only reason this gets a two star and not one is because telling it through the disorder's POV was really creative and unique. There was such an opportunity there but I feel like it was wasted with boring narrative and unrelatable 2D characters. Didn't like it, and probably won't be picking up another book by this author.
I picked up this book purely because it's about a boy with an eating disorder. That topic is underwritten and often overlooked, even though it's estimated that around 10% of people with eating disorders are men. And as of right now, anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.
When I picked this book up I was surprised to find that it's told from the point of view of the disorder itself. It's told in first person from Anorexia. I know this isn't an own-voices book, so I went into it a little weary, but the first scene already had me thrown off.
Anorexia is portrayed as something Mike catches. An eating disorder isn't a cold. Like any mental illness, it develops with time. Sometimes because of trauma and you need control, or sometimes because you're obsessed with food. But it isn't contagious. Throughout the story, I felt as if the narration kept Mike at bay. We didn't get to feel a lot of his emotions, and it played out like a LifeTime movie. He gets an eating disorder in one day, drops fifty pounds in a snap, and then suddenly gets better. Hate to break it to you, it don't work like that.
Even three years after my initial treatment, I still have to cross out calorie facts so I don't count everything I eat. I have to set food timers because my sense of hunger is so warped. I can barely eat a donut without feeling disgusted with myself and still have to stop myself from drinking an excessive amount of coffee. The healing process is slow, torturous, and unforgiving. It doesn't happen in a day.
Also, Amber, the only other character we can call main, is entirely two-dimensional. She's nothing but a walking, talking stereotype of media portrayed anorexia. We also never get any closure on her.
.
The only reason this gets a two star and not one is because telling it through the disorder's POV was really creative and unique. There was such an opportunity there but I feel like it was wasted with boring narrative and unrelatable 2D characters. Didn't like it, and probably won't be picking up another book by this author.
December 26, 2014
Chronique originalement postée sur Sous ma Couverture
À peine reçu pour Noël, autant vous avouer que je me suis (quasiment) littéralement jetée dessus. Je l'attendais depuis septembre, vous savez ? Non ? Maintenant, vous le savez.
Et je ne sais pas ce qui m'a attiré dans ce roman, mais l'anorexie touchant les garçons est un sujet tellement rare que je ne me suis jamais demandé si ça existait.
Enfin bref.
La première chose qui a gravé le début d'un coup de coeur dans ma tête était la narration. La splendide narration ! Narrateur externe mais pas trop, "ça" reste un mystère pendant quelques pages, jusqu'à ce que la vérité me saute aux yeux. Le narrateur est le subconscient de Mike, une petite voix ô combien ambitieuse et motivée à le mettre sur le bon chemin, celui de l'anorexie.
J'ai beaucoup aimé les thèmes abordés, même s'ils peuvent passer inaperçus. Mais si on ouvre bien les yeux, on se pose les questions que le narrateur cache à Mike à coups de phrases bien placées et encourageantes. La maigreur et la grosseur, la beauté et la laideur, mais aussi la solitude, les fréquentations qui paraissent bonnes mais qui sont mauvaises, et inversement... L'histoire de Mike nous présente l'anorexie dans presque toute sa splendeur, du côté psychologique aux séquelles. Mais ne vous attendez pas à trop, il n'y a que 183 pages.
Cependant, j'ai beaucoup aimé voir sa chute dans ces troubles de l'alimentation, ses différents stades et son évolution, mais aussi les conséquences physique qu'il a subit, un apport à ma culture médicale moindre.
Malgré tout, je n'ai pu m'empêcher d'encourager Mike à aller mieux, et à ouvrir les yeux. Peut-être qu'il m'a écouté? Ou peut-être pas. Faudra le lire pour savoir ça.
Ce que j'ai le moins aimé : L'intensité, qui reste moindre. J'aurais voulu être plus touchée par l'histoire.
Ce que j'ai le plus aimé : Les pensées de Mike débouchant sur l'anorexie.
À peine reçu pour Noël, autant vous avouer que je me suis (quasiment) littéralement jetée dessus. Je l'attendais depuis septembre, vous savez ? Non ? Maintenant, vous le savez.
Et je ne sais pas ce qui m'a attiré dans ce roman, mais l'anorexie touchant les garçons est un sujet tellement rare que je ne me suis jamais demandé si ça existait.
Enfin bref.
La première chose qui a gravé le début d'un coup de coeur dans ma tête était la narration. La splendide narration ! Narrateur externe mais pas trop, "ça" reste un mystère pendant quelques pages, jusqu'à ce que la vérité me saute aux yeux. Le narrateur est le subconscient de Mike, une petite voix ô combien ambitieuse et motivée à le mettre sur le bon chemin, celui de l'anorexie.
J'ai beaucoup aimé les thèmes abordés, même s'ils peuvent passer inaperçus. Mais si on ouvre bien les yeux, on se pose les questions que le narrateur cache à Mike à coups de phrases bien placées et encourageantes. La maigreur et la grosseur, la beauté et la laideur, mais aussi la solitude, les fréquentations qui paraissent bonnes mais qui sont mauvaises, et inversement... L'histoire de Mike nous présente l'anorexie dans presque toute sa splendeur, du côté psychologique aux séquelles. Mais ne vous attendez pas à trop, il n'y a que 183 pages.
Cependant, j'ai beaucoup aimé voir sa chute dans ces troubles de l'alimentation, ses différents stades et son évolution, mais aussi les conséquences physique qu'il a subit, un apport à ma culture médicale moindre.
Malgré tout, je n'ai pu m'empêcher d'encourager Mike à aller mieux, et à ouvrir les yeux. Peut-être qu'il m'a écouté? Ou peut-être pas. Faudra le lire pour savoir ça.
Ce que j'ai le moins aimé : L'intensité, qui reste moindre. J'aurais voulu être plus touchée par l'histoire.
Ce que j'ai le plus aimé : Les pensées de Mike débouchant sur l'anorexie.
January 9, 2015
This book was one of the hardest books I've read in a long time, and I'm not talking about the vocabulary, length, or anything like that. The book doesn't even hit 200 pages, and yet it was a grueling read that I had to put down a lot; not because I wanted to, but because I had to look away. Of course eating disorders is not something that one can just look away from, but as a person who had a period in her life where she struggled with food, this book brought too many painful memories from my past back.
This book is so important. There are books out there with girls and eating disorders, but until this book I hadn't seen one with boys. It's sometimes all too easy to forget that teen boys suffer from the same illnesses as teen girls, especially when media is dominated by images of thin young women. However it affects them just the same and they deserve a voice as well.
Told from the perspective of the disease anorexia, the book follows the very beginnings until Mike is starting the road to recovery. It's a long process, and the book, while hopeful at the end, does not necessarily guarantee a perfect ending for Mike. But it's a start, and, as Mike says, it's a small step in the right direction.
The book rang so true to me. Mike eating just a few bites from meals and hiding the rest, working out excessively, trying to control some aspect of his life when the rest is chaos. It was so painful to read. Other people who have dealt with an eating disorder may also find this book a struggle to get through because of the sympathy for Mike. Those who have not had to deal with it will likewise find it difficult because it's so hard to understand why someone does what they do. I kept my students updated on this book as I read it because they were intrigued and they couldn't fathom how a person starves themselves like that. They said it didn't make sense. And it doesn't. Not all the time. The person going through it can rationalize it, but until you experience it - God forbid - then it really is hard to understand.
This book is so important. There are books out there with girls and eating disorders, but until this book I hadn't seen one with boys. It's sometimes all too easy to forget that teen boys suffer from the same illnesses as teen girls, especially when media is dominated by images of thin young women. However it affects them just the same and they deserve a voice as well.
Told from the perspective of the disease anorexia, the book follows the very beginnings until Mike is starting the road to recovery. It's a long process, and the book, while hopeful at the end, does not necessarily guarantee a perfect ending for Mike. But it's a start, and, as Mike says, it's a small step in the right direction.
The book rang so true to me. Mike eating just a few bites from meals and hiding the rest, working out excessively, trying to control some aspect of his life when the rest is chaos. It was so painful to read. Other people who have dealt with an eating disorder may also find this book a struggle to get through because of the sympathy for Mike. Those who have not had to deal with it will likewise find it difficult because it's so hard to understand why someone does what they do. I kept my students updated on this book as I read it because they were intrigued and they couldn't fathom how a person starves themselves like that. They said it didn't make sense. And it doesn't. Not all the time. The person going through it can rationalize it, but until you experience it - God forbid - then it really is hard to understand.
May 16, 2018
This book is one of my favorite books.This book holds so many emotions and you can feel the rawness of the writer Lois Metzger.I can really connect with this book and i can actually feel the emotions of the story coming out. I would recommend everyone to give this book a try you wont regret it.
December 13, 2017
A Trick of the Light was definitely an interesting read. It is about a fifteen year old with confidence issues, with two twists; it is about a boy and it is narrated by his eating disorder.
The fact that the main character, Mike, was a boy was sort of groundbreaking in my opinion. There is a statistic in the book that says ten percent of people suffering from an eating disorder in America is male. That isn't a very large percent in comparison to females. That said, of course males have eating disorders, as it isn't something limited to only females. Books written about eating disorders are not extremely popular, since it tends to fall under the absurd category of things that are not 'safe' to talk about according to some people. With this in mind, one can only imagine that finding a book about a boy suffering is even harder.
The topic of males suffering from anorexia is briefly brought up in the book as well.
In relation to the narrator, I believe it was extremely refreshing to have it be the disorder itself, as some people with anorexia claim that their is a voice in their head telling them to do it. This book gives voice to that voice, loud enough for others to hear.
These were two things that I liked, but my list isn't just limited of those. I've read a few other books about eating disorders, and I find it rare for them to include certain effects it can have on the body, such as always feeling cold and the growth of fine body hair in order to compensate for the lack of body fat to stay warm. This was interesting to read about because these, the latter at least, are some of the symptoms you don't hear about as often.
The book itself offered a realistic insight on the life of a teen, specifically male, living and dealing with an eating disorder, which made it an excellent read.
The fact that the main character, Mike, was a boy was sort of groundbreaking in my opinion. There is a statistic in the book that says ten percent of people suffering from an eating disorder in America is male. That isn't a very large percent in comparison to females. That said, of course males have eating disorders, as it isn't something limited to only females. Books written about eating disorders are not extremely popular, since it tends to fall under the absurd category of things that are not 'safe' to talk about according to some people. With this in mind, one can only imagine that finding a book about a boy suffering is even harder.
The topic of males suffering from anorexia is briefly brought up in the book as well.
In relation to the narrator, I believe it was extremely refreshing to have it be the disorder itself, as some people with anorexia claim that their is a voice in their head telling them to do it. This book gives voice to that voice, loud enough for others to hear.
These were two things that I liked, but my list isn't just limited of those. I've read a few other books about eating disorders, and I find it rare for them to include certain effects it can have on the body, such as always feeling cold and the growth of fine body hair in order to compensate for the lack of body fat to stay warm. This was interesting to read about because these, the latter at least, are some of the symptoms you don't hear about as often.
The book itself offered a realistic insight on the life of a teen, specifically male, living and dealing with an eating disorder, which made it an excellent read.
June 18, 2013
Mike is a star baseball player at his high school. He has a best friend and he is a good student. However the one thing he lacks a little is in the looks department. Not to say that Mike is fat but he is a little overweight. Things go downhill for Mike when his dad leaves for another woman and his mom closes herself off from Mike.
Mike has a voice inside his head screaming at him to be heard. Mike ignores the voice until he can no longer avoid it. This is when things go downhill quickly for Mike.
I had no clue what the subject matter of this book was about. So I was surprised when I learned that it was about eating disorders. A subject matter that I don’t think there is enough light shed on it. It is a sad disorder but not one that can not be beat and have a happy ending. Luckily I have never struggled with this problem.
In this book the author takes Mike as the person struggling. Yes, males can also have this problem. As the author learned and points out that about 10 million people in the US have this problem and 10 percent of them are male.
In this book the “disease” is the voice and narrator. I thought this was a good twist to helping to tell this story. I really hated the “voice”. I found the “voice” to be abrasive and it did not care what harm and bad choices it gave to Mike. Very scary that what can start out as just a diet or minor issue can blow up very fast into a major situation.
Mike has a voice inside his head screaming at him to be heard. Mike ignores the voice until he can no longer avoid it. This is when things go downhill quickly for Mike.
I had no clue what the subject matter of this book was about. So I was surprised when I learned that it was about eating disorders. A subject matter that I don’t think there is enough light shed on it. It is a sad disorder but not one that can not be beat and have a happy ending. Luckily I have never struggled with this problem.
In this book the author takes Mike as the person struggling. Yes, males can also have this problem. As the author learned and points out that about 10 million people in the US have this problem and 10 percent of them are male.
In this book the “disease” is the voice and narrator. I thought this was a good twist to helping to tell this story. I really hated the “voice”. I found the “voice” to be abrasive and it did not care what harm and bad choices it gave to Mike. Very scary that what can start out as just a diet or minor issue can blow up very fast into a major situation.
July 3, 2013
*WARNING. CONTAINS SPOILERS*
I thought A Trick of the Light was brilliant... after I figured out what was going on. In the beginning, the narrator is weird, and kind of creepy because you don't know who it is, whether it's a real person or not. After the first few chapters (and help from the back of the book) I realized that it was a voice in his head, but when I realized that the voice in his head was basically anorexia, I flipped out. I've seen anorexia portrayed many different ways through writing, but this was one of the more creative ones I've read. Never having been anorexic myself, i don't know if it really feels like how it's portrayed in the book, but I still got a better sense of what it is like, and how sad that situation is.
I think A Trick of the Light is really good for tweens and teens to read, especially boys. Most people don't think that boys become anorexic; it's not really a big issue in their culture, but this book reminds you that they can, and they do.
I thought A Trick of the Light was brilliant... after I figured out what was going on. In the beginning, the narrator is weird, and kind of creepy because you don't know who it is, whether it's a real person or not. After the first few chapters (and help from the back of the book) I realized that it was a voice in his head, but when I realized that the voice in his head was basically anorexia, I flipped out. I've seen anorexia portrayed many different ways through writing, but this was one of the more creative ones I've read. Never having been anorexic myself, i don't know if it really feels like how it's portrayed in the book, but I still got a better sense of what it is like, and how sad that situation is.
I think A Trick of the Light is really good for tweens and teens to read, especially boys. Most people don't think that boys become anorexic; it's not really a big issue in their culture, but this book reminds you that they can, and they do.
April 18, 2017
At first, I fell in love with the cover. then I went to the biggest bookstore in my country and asked about it, ended up being given a shelf number rushed to it, bought the book, and went back home... it's then that I realized that I got the wrong book and it wasn't by Lois Metzger.
So I ended up going to the nearest bookstore, ordered it and waited for 1-2 weeks or so for the book to arrive. And the moment it did, I immediately opened it and read it.
And I DON'T REGRET A SINGLE THING THAT I WENT THROUGH FOR THIS BOOK.
This book speaks to you. It talks to you and you hate who's talking to you, but you can't help but carry on reading.
It's captivating. It introduced a new concept and it's an eye opener.
loved it and definitely recommend it to everyone no matter what genre you prefer to read.
So I ended up going to the nearest bookstore, ordered it and waited for 1-2 weeks or so for the book to arrive. And the moment it did, I immediately opened it and read it.
And I DON'T REGRET A SINGLE THING THAT I WENT THROUGH FOR THIS BOOK.
This book speaks to you. It talks to you and you hate who's talking to you, but you can't help but carry on reading.
It's captivating. It introduced a new concept and it's an eye opener.
loved it and definitely recommend it to everyone no matter what genre you prefer to read.
March 21, 2013
Read an advance copy. Best YA book of the year. Gripping from the first page to the last. Funny and sad, sad and funny. I loved the way the narrator was also a trick of the light. Have already read it twice. A great group of characters. Has the kind of voice that stays in your head for days. This one deserves every award. Reminds me of OKAY FOR NOW and SPEAK.
March 21, 2013
I got an advance reading copy of this book. Tremendous story, great characters. This is a very serious subject but it is told with grace and humor. Highly recommend. My son liked it too.
November 17, 2013
A Trick of the Light is a novel by Lois Metzger.
This is one of the most intriguing, most original, and most insightful book I have read.
I had no idea that boys can get eating disorders.
This is one of the most intriguing, most original, and most insightful book I have read.
I had no idea that boys can get eating disorders.
July 8, 2023
This was a quick, but emotional story. Told from the POV of the disease, it's one teenager's descent into an eating disorder. While traditionally thought of as primarily affecting females, especially teens, at least 10% of those who suffer from it are male.
What makes this unique is the voice. Mike is a normal teenage boy when his life starts going off the rails - his mom is depressed and can barely function; his dad is withdrawn from family life. So he starts hearing a voice - and that voice starts telling him he's okay but if he listens, he can make him stronger, strong body, strong mind, infinitely strong. The only problem is that this voice also isolates him from his friends, family, and teachers. It tells him that those folks don't really know him. It's that internal voice that does not have your interests at heart...you know the one. It tells you that you could be / do better, you're not enough as you are. In this novel that voice is creepy and it is so hard for Mike to break its spell. This is a quick but sobering read.
Quote I liked:
It's always the most interesting people who have a hard time fitting in, but they go on to lead the most extraordinary lives.
What makes this unique is the voice. Mike is a normal teenage boy when his life starts going off the rails - his mom is depressed and can barely function; his dad is withdrawn from family life. So he starts hearing a voice - and that voice starts telling him he's okay but if he listens, he can make him stronger, strong body, strong mind, infinitely strong. The only problem is that this voice also isolates him from his friends, family, and teachers. It tells him that those folks don't really know him. It's that internal voice that does not have your interests at heart...you know the one. It tells you that you could be / do better, you're not enough as you are. In this novel that voice is creepy and it is so hard for Mike to break its spell. This is a quick but sobering read.
Quote I liked:
It's always the most interesting people who have a hard time fitting in, but they go on to lead the most extraordinary lives.
February 5, 2022
It’s always the most interesting people who have a hard time fitting in, but they go on to lead the most extraordinary lives.
This was such a good book. So emotional, written so well. I know I've said this before in reviews of similar books, but I feel like these books always just hit so close to home. In my own life, for the past couple years, I've dealt with my own mental health on this stuff. I've been getting better and I want to, but it will always be a struggle. Anyway, as this clearly isn't about me, let's get into it.
The way this book is written in itself is wonderful. It's an intriguing choice. Mike, the main character, is struggling with anorexia. SHOCKER, can you imagine that males can also deal with body image and it's not just females? Yes, males are people with legitimate feelings also! Anyway, the story is told by a voice in Mike's head. I thought this was really neat. I just really loved it and thought it helped us see what Mike was dealing with, day in and day out.
Here is a review someone else wrote that I thought was great. Hope it was okay to share: Maja (The Nocturnal Library)'s Review.
I think I might go see what other books this author has written.
“You must master the chaos so the chaos doesn’t master you.”
Content:
Language:
This was such a good book. So emotional, written so well. I know I've said this before in reviews of similar books, but I feel like these books always just hit so close to home. In my own life, for the past couple years, I've dealt with my own mental health on this stuff. I've been getting better and I want to, but it will always be a struggle. Anyway, as this clearly isn't about me, let's get into it.
The way this book is written in itself is wonderful. It's an intriguing choice. Mike, the main character, is struggling with anorexia. SHOCKER, can you imagine that males can also deal with body image and it's not just females? Yes, males are people with legitimate feelings also! Anyway, the story is told by a voice in Mike's head. I thought this was really neat. I just really loved it and thought it helped us see what Mike was dealing with, day in and day out.
Here is a review someone else wrote that I thought was great. Hope it was okay to share: Maja (The Nocturnal Library)'s Review.
I think I might go see what other books this author has written.
“You must master the chaos so the chaos doesn’t master you.”
Content:
Language:
May 11, 2017
A trick of the light deals with real life events and it covers something everyone can relate to. In the book, Mike has a eating disorder called anorexia. His family, friends, and teachers notice and go to his mother. She tries to take him to the doctor but he says there is nothing wrong with him. Reading this far I can even tell that something is different he is unhappy. The entire book would have been like that until amber is hospitalized but he has lost so much weight that he blacks out and is forced to be treated and undergoes therapy. I recommend this book for people who like real life situations. I love this book for the main reason that its relate able.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2023
This one was a hard one for me to rate. The subject matter is incredibly deep and important— it brings to light the little-discussed topic of male eating disorders. But as a book, I was left desiring more where the writing is concerned. I love a deeply emotional book and for me, this book lacked the details and descriptions and character development that a story like this one could have had. But it still handled the heavy topic with great care and understanding.
May 9, 2018
Some of this short novel reads like an episode of Intervention. I don't remember Wintergirls being that disturbing, but I guess I'm due for a reread of that novel. It's important to realize that eating disorders affect both men and women, boys and girls.
June 3, 2024
heb m binnen 3 uur uitgelezen lol
May 11, 2015
My initial rating was four stars, but I'm changing that. I have struggled deciding what to rate it since reading it. The thing is, I wanted to like this one. I really, really wanted to like this one. However, it did not meet my expectations. It is a very important book. Eating disorder awareness tends to focus heavily on the stereotypes we are fed in health class, and even in Psychology courses in college. The eating disordered featured in books, movies, articles... she is almost always a female, straight, teenager, middle class, and fits pretty much every stereotype society holds about people with anorexia and bulimia. Awareness outside of this image is crucial. This book provides that. Through Mike, the reader realizes that anorexia is not just "for girls". Mike's struggle with anorexia feels very real, and the timeline is very believable (sadly, I speak from experience). His physical as well as mental deterioration exists on a realistic timeline, considering the amount of food he is consuming. The book provides a very real, and at times horrifying, view of anorexia and how it begins to affect the sufferer not only mentally, but physically. It shows us the isolation experienced, it shows us the mood swings, and the fear of not only gaining weight (because it isn't just about body image), but the fear of food, of recovery.
In this way, A Trick of the Light met all my expectations. It never presented anorexia in a shallow way, as many of the books on the subject do. It presented a very real depiction of the disorder. There was something lacking, though, and I struggle sometimes putting my finger on exactly what that is. I figured it out when I sat down and really thought about it. The characters are what bothered me. Not Mike. Mike was an honest, accurate portrayal of someone in the midst of developing an eating disorder. I never doubted Mike was suffering, I never questioned the time line, I never felt like he was a cliche of a patient with anorexia. The characters I am speaking of are The Voice and Amber.
We'll start with The Voice. I like how Lois Metzger wrote from the voice's perspective. The Voice is common in eating disorders. It becomes so loud during the height of them that it seems to be the only voice you can hear. She captured this well. Reading the story from the voice's perspective gets old after a while, though. The book drags in some areas, reading more like a screenplay than a novel. There's, also, the fact that telling an entire story from the point of view of anorexia personifies anorexia. This, to me, is a major problem. Anorexia should not be personified. While the voice is very real to many sufferers, it is not a real person. There should always be something to distinguish that, and I feel that Lois missed the mark there. The way the book is written makes Anorexia seem separate from Mike. While Mike is not anorexic (the PC way is to say he has anorexia) it is still crucial to realize anorexia is not a separate entity.
Then there is Amber. FREAKING AMBER. Amber is why I hesitate to give this book more than three stars. While Lois did her best to make sure Mike was not a cliche, she did women with eating disorders a great injustice. Mike is the good guy in this book. He is the victim of anorexia, unable to prevent it from consuming his life. Amber, on the other hand, is painted as someone who chose to have anorexia. She is the bad guy. Amber puts many ideas into his head that he likely would not have thought of on his own. She, at many points in the book, reads like the vain, shallow, cliche that is presented in media quite frequently of women with anorexia. Amber offended me. I think that is the best way to say it - her character is offensive. Amber had no depth. She existed solely to guide Mike into the depths of his disorder. And she was a stereotype of women with anorexia. While this book does a lot to bring awareness to males with eating disorders, it does nothing to bring awareness to the fact that females with eating disorders are not stereotypes. I felt like Lois Metzger researched "pro ana" on Google and created Amber from whatever bits and pieces she could find about it.
Amber and The Voice really made this book hard to get through. Perhaps my review is a little biased. Having been through the torment of starvation, being that I struggle daily with an eating disorder, knowing what I know now... I viewed this book through the scope of bias. Through experience I judged it. I wanted to like it, I really did. I believe that is why my initial rating was four stars. The more I think about Amber, though, the more I feel three stars is more fitting.
In this way, A Trick of the Light met all my expectations. It never presented anorexia in a shallow way, as many of the books on the subject do. It presented a very real depiction of the disorder. There was something lacking, though, and I struggle sometimes putting my finger on exactly what that is. I figured it out when I sat down and really thought about it. The characters are what bothered me. Not Mike. Mike was an honest, accurate portrayal of someone in the midst of developing an eating disorder. I never doubted Mike was suffering, I never questioned the time line, I never felt like he was a cliche of a patient with anorexia. The characters I am speaking of are The Voice and Amber.
We'll start with The Voice. I like how Lois Metzger wrote from the voice's perspective. The Voice is common in eating disorders. It becomes so loud during the height of them that it seems to be the only voice you can hear. She captured this well. Reading the story from the voice's perspective gets old after a while, though. The book drags in some areas, reading more like a screenplay than a novel. There's, also, the fact that telling an entire story from the point of view of anorexia personifies anorexia. This, to me, is a major problem. Anorexia should not be personified. While the voice is very real to many sufferers, it is not a real person. There should always be something to distinguish that, and I feel that Lois missed the mark there. The way the book is written makes Anorexia seem separate from Mike. While Mike is not anorexic (the PC way is to say he has anorexia) it is still crucial to realize anorexia is not a separate entity.
Then there is Amber. FREAKING AMBER. Amber is why I hesitate to give this book more than three stars. While Lois did her best to make sure Mike was not a cliche, she did women with eating disorders a great injustice. Mike is the good guy in this book. He is the victim of anorexia, unable to prevent it from consuming his life. Amber, on the other hand, is painted as someone who chose to have anorexia. She is the bad guy. Amber puts many ideas into his head that he likely would not have thought of on his own. She, at many points in the book, reads like the vain, shallow, cliche that is presented in media quite frequently of women with anorexia. Amber offended me. I think that is the best way to say it - her character is offensive. Amber had no depth. She existed solely to guide Mike into the depths of his disorder. And she was a stereotype of women with anorexia. While this book does a lot to bring awareness to males with eating disorders, it does nothing to bring awareness to the fact that females with eating disorders are not stereotypes. I felt like Lois Metzger researched "pro ana" on Google and created Amber from whatever bits and pieces she could find about it.
Amber and The Voice really made this book hard to get through. Perhaps my review is a little biased. Having been through the torment of starvation, being that I struggle daily with an eating disorder, knowing what I know now... I viewed this book through the scope of bias. Through experience I judged it. I wanted to like it, I really did. I believe that is why my initial rating was four stars. The more I think about Amber, though, the more I feel three stars is more fitting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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