#hunger point

[bookmania]

My only relief is to sleep. When I’m sleeping, I’m not sad, I’m not angry, I’m not lonely, I’m nothing.

Jillian Medoff, Hunger Point

[hungryfictions]

my favorite books of 2021 so far

[biblivio]

Hunger Point, Jillian Medoff

Harpercollins, 1/1997

TRIGGER WARNING:

This book deals with themes regarding suicide, eating disorders, depression, and death of a loved one.

Plot: 

Frannie Hunter just moved back home. On top of her own depression, Frannie’s driven and perfectionist sister is anorexic, her mother is having an affair with her boss, her father doesn’t seem to care and there’s talk of sending her elderly grandfather to a home. Still Frannie navigates this all with wry humor and sharp observation. Just when things take a dire and dark turn, Frannie’s personal life is turned around-- now if only she can seem to care about it. 

Frannie Hunter just moved back home. On top of her own depression, Frannie’s driven and perfectionist sister is anorexic, her mother is having an affair with her boss, her father doesn’t seem to care and there’s talk of sending her elderly grandfather to a home. Still Frannie navigates this all with wry humor and sharp observation. Just when things take a dire and dark turn, Frannie’s personal life is turned around-- now if only she can seem to care about it. 

Reflection:

This was not an easy read, and I don’t think it was meant to be. There was a wryness to Frannie’s voice that did add some levity, but by no means does this book shy away from some truly profound internal darkness.

Not only does this book capture the toxic nature of diet culture that is still unfortunately prevalent over twenty years after it was first published, it’s also one of the most accurate depictions of depression I’ve ever read—at least how I experience my mental illness, I realize it isn’t the same for everyone.

As someone who has struggled with depression and body image issues for a large portion of my life, this book was complicated. I feel very similar to Frannie in a lot of ways, more so than most of the protagonists in books I read and that was very uncomfortable for me. But when the book ends, Frannie is healing: going to therapy, working on her relationships, etc. It’s a relatively optimistic ending, the kind that someone who has experienced Frannie’s trauma can realistically hope for, and seems achievable. So while this book felt really bleak, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and if any of this resonated, there’s light for you too.

If you need help, do not hesitate to call these resources:

National Eating Disorder Hotline: [phone]

Suicide Prevention Hotline: [phone]

[book-caps]

Jillian Medoff,  Hunger Point

[wmiqaqueen]

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[diet-coke-zero]

I read Hunger Point by Jillian Medoff. It wasn’t super hard to get through but I didn’t like it. I really hated the protagonist and I kept pushing forward, hoping the ending would be fulfilling, but no. Yikes.

[layingon-forestfloors]

Susan May Pratt, age 16.