solavalle

This is one of those feminist books that falls almost into the category of narrative nonfiction: having interviewed more than 100 young women on the topic, Martin analyzes the social factors that go into self-starvation and its many related manifestations. It's an admirable feat to make a book on such an unhappy topic an enjoyable read, but her analysis, her dynamic writing, her openness and passion make this so incredibly interesting--instead of just depressing. There's none of the weight of Reviving Ophelia. Rather, there's fun and spunk reminiscent of Female Chauvinist Pigs (which, if you haven't read it, is a terrific romp--Ariel Levy, hard-core journalist, follows around and interviews those involved with Girls Gone Wild, Hooters, Playboy, etc.--and combines her findings with astute social commentary). Being mostly sedentary, I didn't relate to her chapter on sports--but other than that, I think she really got it exactly right: there are so many places on the spectrum of unhealthy eating, all brought about by a combination of very complicated forces. Perhaps my favorite chapter has to do with interviewing young women on the upper east side (some of the most privileged in the world) and comparing their responses to those of working class young women in Santa Fe. Their responses were remarkably similar. I'd never thought of it before, but American society tends to think of disordered eating as the province of the white and rich (as proven by numerous studies that present a sample patient and, when told that she's white, responders say she's anorexic; when told that the theoretical woman is black, they say that she's fine). I got my copy (beautiful, hardcover, new) from the Strand for $12. (On Monday. Today, Friday, I've almost finished the book. That's how good it is.) Oh, Strand, how I do love thee.

2022-11-14 16:44