Title: Wintergirls
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
First published March 19, 2009
278 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780670011100 (ISBN10: 067001110X)
Rating: 3.96
Overview
Emmy and Lily have been inseparable since they were little, two wintergirls trapped in bodies they can’t seem to control. They’ve spent their lives competing to be the best, but when Lily is suddenly gone, Emmy is left with nothing but guilt and memories.
In Wintergirls, acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson tells the story of Emmy’s journey to recovery, as she battles her own demons and tries to hold onto the one thing that can save her–hope. With Anderson’s signature style and unflinching honesty, Wintergirls is a powerful and moving exploration of the devastating effects of anorexia, and the strength it takes to overcome it.
About the Author
Laurie Halse Anderson is an accomplished author with a diverse range of works for young readers, teens, and adults. Her books have sold over 8 million copies collectively, including her latest release, SHOUT.
This memoir-in-verse delves into her experience surviving sexual assault at the age of thirteen and serves as a manifesto for the #MeToo movement. SHOUT has garnered critical acclaim and remained on the New York Times bestseller list for seven consecutive weeks.
Anderson’s accolades include four nominations for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, two National Book Award finalist nods for Speak and Chains, and a short-listing for the prestigious Carnegie medal for Chains. Her other works, Shout and The Impossible Knife of Memory, were long-listed for the National Book Award.
Anderson has been recognized for her dedication to protecting intellectual freedom by the National Coalition Against Censorship and the National Council of Teachers of English. She is also a member of RAINN’s National Leadership Council and advocates for diversity in publishing.
When she’s not writing, Anderson resides in Philadelphia, where she indulges in cheesesteaks. Keep up with her on social media by following @halseanderson on Twitter, halseanderson on Instagram, and lauriehalseanderson on Facebook.
For more information about Anderson and her works, visit madwomanintheforest.com.
Editoral Review
Laurie Halse Anderson’s “Wintergirls” is a poignant and harrowing tale about the struggle of teenage girls dealing with mental health issues, specifically anorexia nervosa. The author is well-known for her young adult contemporary books that tackle complex themes often overlooked in mainstream literature.
Her writing style has won critical acclaim, including multiple awards such as the National Book Award Finalist for “Speak.”
“Wintergirls” tells the story of Lia, a girl struggling to cope with her friend’s death while battling anorexia. The narrative takes the reader on a visceral journey into Lia’s mind as she grapples with guilt, self-hatred, and an intense desire to control her body.
Anderson’s portrayal of Lia’s thought patterns and feelings towards food and her body is hauntingly accurate, highlighting the complexities of eating disorders that often go unnoticed. The book is set in winter, underscoring the bleak and cold world in which Lia lives, both internally and externally.
The novel is much more than just a story about a girl with anorexia – it delves into deeper themes of grief, loss, and the power of mental illness. Anderson is unflinching in her portrayal of Lia and her struggle with self-harm, giving readers a raw and emotional depiction of the disorder.
The writing is powerful and vivid, taking the reader on a journey into the dark world of anorexia. One of the strengths of “Wintergirls” is the development of Lia’s character.
Anderson carefully crafts Lia’s progression throughout the narrative, showing her increasing isolation and the dangerous lengths she will go to in order to maintain control. The character development is subtle, with small details and actions adding up to paint a bigger picture of Lia’s descent into anorexia.
Perhaps the only weakness of the book is its triggering nature. As the novel deals with anorexia, it contains graphic descriptions of eating disorders and self-harm.
Readers who are triggered by such content may find the book difficult to read. Overall, “Wintergirls” is a haunting and thought-provoking novel that is both tragic and beautiful.
The writing is hauntingly evocative, and the characters are fully realized and complex. It is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the human condition and the complexities of mental illness.
I would highly recommend “Wintergirls” to young adult readers and anyone seeking to understand eating disorders and the mental health struggles of young people. The novel is a powerful statement on the challenges many young people face, and it brings to light an issue that is still stigmatized and often misunderstood.
Rating: 4.5/5
Criteria: character development, writing quality, themes, plot structure, historical/cultural significance, triggering content.
