Monday, July 5, 2010

[Review] Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Review - Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
"Lyrical, emotional and deep, but flawed not perfect"

Blurb: Lia stands at 5'5" and thinks that weighing 99 lb is unacceptable. She absolutely must be the skinniest person in her school, as she is inadequate in every possible way, except for being strong (starving even though she is always tempted by food). After her ex-best friend, Cassie, dies in a motel alone, "Lia Lia" is haunted by her. Wintergirls follows the disturbing, frustrating and emotional journey of Lia's eating disorder, and how this affects those closest to her.

Review: Laurie Halse Anderson's novel, "Wintergirls" was extremely difficult for me to read, for personal and literary reasons. Both of which I had to get used to in order for me to actually finish it off, and I was determined to finish it. While it was a beautiful, yet disturbing portrayal of the so very real reality of eating disorders, it felt a bit cluttered sometimes. I liked it, I didn't love it. I'm torn between giving it a 3/5 and a 4/5, so I shall sit on 3.5/5.

Anderson uses many colloquial elements that kind of work for a YA novel, but it really did mess up my pace in reading it, as I like reading aloud/to myself/aloud/to myself/etc. The whole premise of the novel was original and interesting, without giving too much away. Halfway during, I got a bit bored, but the last 40 pages or so were amazing, so I was glad I stuck around.

Anderson’s use of imagery and more imagery was phenomenal. She really did paint a picture the whole way through, from beginning to end. Some of the descriptions are disturbing, so you have been warned. I would not recommend little kiddies to read this book, obviously, as this book hits those really hard, pressing issues that exist in today’s society. Even I felt a bit overwhelmed at times.

My review on Goodreads

Rating: 3.5/5

Buy Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson at Amazon, BookDepository.

10 comments:

Sheila (Bookjourney) said... [Reply]

Great review - thanks for this. I think this needs to hit the TBR!

Nikki in Niagara said... [Reply]

I have never read any of Anderson's books. I think they'd just be too hard for me to read. Your review helps me to see this further.

Emily said... [Reply]

I haven't read many reviews of Wintergirls before so thank you! I have mixed feelings about this one and it will probably be one that I never actually buy for myself. Maybe a library book at some point.

The Insouciant Sophisticate said... [Reply]

I agree that this is a difficult book to read. But Anderson is such an excellent writer that I feel it's worth it.

danya said... [Reply]

This one does sound pretty dark & disturbing.

Jen said... [Reply]

I actually liked Wintergirls, even though it was a little hard to get through at times. Speak is my favorite book by this author.

Bella@BeguileThySorrow said... [Reply]

Love your spoiler-free review, thank you for that! I've only read Anderson's Speak and Chains, but I loved both so Wintergirls is on my list, just havent gotten to it yet.

Nikki (Wicked Awesome Books) said... [Reply]

I've heard so many things about this book that I really need to read it. I can understand how it could be quite difficult to get through considering the subject matter.

The only other book I've read of Anderson's was Speak and I loved that, so this will go in my TBR pile.

Katie (The Literary Files) said... [Reply]

I've been meaning to read this for the longest time. Great review and I agree I love imagery in my books! :)

Unknown said... [Reply]

I like this review. I think it's about time I read this. I like an author who knows how to write a powerful story.

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