Ellie's Reviews > Skinny

Skinny is sad in a subtly haunting way. The passages from the medical-school guide really emphasized Giselle's mortality and complemented her muted, though persistent, voice. *SPOILERS* I commend the author for her willingness to experiment with character death, because I've always felt that too many eating disorder novels end with la-di-da, Disney-ending recovery or even "life is not perfect, but I'm getting there day by day" recovery. Statistics say that eating disorders this serious rarely end that way and though the ending was sad, I'm glad Kaslik was realistic with it.
In terms of being a reader with an eating disorder, the italicized pieces (Giselle's disease speaking to her) seemed like they were ripped right out of my head. I felt as though I were going crazy along with Giselle, which is something only someone who has had an eating disorder could ever know or understand. Kaslik doesn't sugarcoat what an eating disorder can do to the psyche of its victims, and I commend her for writing so bravely something which seemed very personal. Giselle's eating disorder calls her an exhibitionist and a slut; it asks her, somewhat rhetorically, why she always loves people who never love her back. This seems harsh, but in fact, it's exactly the truth of what we go through every day. Thank you thank you THANK YOU Ibi Kaslik for making the world aware of what 1 in 10 women go through on a daily basis.
If you have an eating disorder, read this (BE ADVISED that it may be triggering). If you love someone with an eating disorder, read this. If you know someone with an eating disorder, read this. If, heaven help you, you've judged someone for their eating disorder, read this. If you're looking to educate yourself on a pervasive, misunderstood affliction which is tragically underrepresented by the media, read this. And even if you just want to read a deep book with a solid plot and a stunning voice, read this book, and keep reading.