Originality- 19/20
Characters- 19/20
Remembrance- 10/10
Quote-ability- 9/10
Entertainment- 19/20
Ending- 10/10
Recommend to read- 9/10
TOTAL- 95/100
Grade- A
Release Date: Today, so go buy yourself a copy!
Purge is a beautifully crafted memoir that has a Girl, Interrupted feel. In this raw and engaging account of her months in rehab, Nicole Johns documents her stay in a residential treatment facility for eating disorders. Her prose is lucid and vivid, as she seamlessly switches verb tenses and moves through time. She unearths several important themes: body image and sexuality, sexual assault and relationships, and the struggle to piece together one's path in life. While other books about eating disorders and treatment may sugarcoat the harsh realities of living with and recovering from an eating disorder, Purge does not hold back. The author presents an honest, detailed account of her experience with treatment, avoiding the clichéd happily-ever-after ending while still offering hope to those who struggle with eating disorders, as well as anyone who has watched a loved one fight to recover from an eating disorder. Purge sends a message: though the road may be rough, ultimately there is hope. Purge, in short, was amazing. I was immediately drawn in by the truthness of Nicole's words. Even though I've never had an eating disorder I do know people who have struggled with their self image, and the whole time I read, I thought about them. Don't even start to think that this was some kind of big depressing self harm story. It was a real and powerful tale of a women finally accepting herself. I've read other books that talked about eating disorders but nothing that truly happened. Which is probably why I loved it so much. It WAS real, which filled me with hope. And I won't lie, I love me a good story taking place somewhere BESIDES the home. Nicole's story helped me fully realize that eating disorders aren't just about thinking that you're overweight, it's a total distorted view of your body that you forever think about and try to change. I would love to thank Nicole for having the courage to go to treatment and sharing her story with people who might decide to do the same. Overall I think that Purge: Rehab Diaries was a breathtaking true story that brought me laughs and tears.
Check back tomorrow when I'll post my interview with Nicole Johns herself!
-Amanda
2 comments:
I'm confused - isn't there another book called Purge that came out today as well and is also about eating disorders? I know it's by a different author tho...
It sounds really good. I want to read this...now!
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