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Wintergirls

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Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson delves into the harrowing journey of Lia, an 18-year-old battling anorexia and the aftermath of her best friend Cassie's death. The narrative unfolds through Lia's raw and honest perspective, revealing her struggles with body image, self-destructive behaviors, and the haunting presence of Cassie's ghost. The book portrays the dark realities of eating disorders, familial relationships, and the internal turmoil faced by young adults dealing with mental health issues.

Characters:

The characters are complex and reflect the challenges of dealing with mental health and the impact of trauma.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is both vivid and emotionally charged, utilizing unique techniques to reflect Lia's inner turmoil.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around Lia, who grapples with the death of her best friend Cassie and her own struggles with anorexia, showcasing the intense emotional turmoil of both characters.

Setting:

The setting contextualizes the characters' struggles, as they navigate both family dynamics and personal demons in ordinary spaces.

Pacing:

The pacing is carefully constructed; it builds tension and emotional weight as the story progresses.
As I stand up, Jennifer takes two awkward steps toward me. I wait. She is a pale, round moth, dusted with eggshell foundation, armed for the day with her banker’s briefcase, purse, and remote starter ...

Notes:

Wintergirls focuses on Lia, an 18-year-old girl struggling with anorexia and depression after her best friend Cassie's death.
Cassie left Lia 33 voicemails before dying alone in a motel room, which deeply affects Lia's mental state.
The narrative uses a unique style, including crossed-out thoughts and stream-of-consciousness writing, to convey Lia's inner turmoil.
The story highlights the devastating effects of eating disorders, showcasing Lia's obsession with weight and calorie counting.
Anderson's writing captures the harsh reality of eating disorders without glamorizing them, making it an emotional but important read.
Lia feels haunted by Cassie's ghost, representing her guilt and unresolved emotions regarding her friend's death.
The book addresses complex themes such as family dynamics, the need for control, and the search for identity amid struggles with mental health.
Readers have found the book both heart-wrenching and powerful, providing insight into the mind of someone with an eating disorder.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers and content warnings for Wintergirls include references to eating disorders (anorexia and bulimia), self-harm, mental illness, and death.

From The Publisher:

The New York Times bestselling story of a friendship frozen between life and death

Lia and Cassie are best friends, wintergirls frozen in fragile bodies, competitors in a deadly contest to see who can be the thinnest. But then Cassie suffers the ultimate loss-her life-and Lia is left behind, haunted by her friend's memory and racked with guilt for not being able to help save her. In her most powerfully moving novel since Speak, award-winning author Laurie Halse Anderson explores Lia's struggle, her painful path to recovery, and her desperate attempts to hold on to the most important thing of all: hope.

Ratings (14)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (5)
Liked It (5)
It Was OK (3)

Reader Stats (39):

Read It (16)
Want To Read (21)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (1)

About the Author:

Laurie Halse Anderson has received both the Margaret Edwards Award and the ALAN Award for her contributions to young adult literature. She has also been honored by the National Coalition Against Censorship in recognition of her fight to combat the censoring of literature. She is the author of the groundbreaking National Book Award finalist and Printz Honor Book Speak. She is also author of the critically acclaimed YA books Prom, Twitsted, Catalyst, Wintergirls, and The Impossible Knife of Memory. She has also authored a number of middle grade titles including The Vet Volunteers series, and the historical fiction Seeds of America Trilogy, which includes Forge, ALA Best Book for Young Adults Fever 1793, and the National Book Award finalist and Scott O'Dell Award-winner Chains. She and her husband live in northern New York State. Follow Laurie on Twitter @halseanderson and visit her at madwomanintheforest.com.

 
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