Response to Wintergirls

 Unfortunately I cannot provide quotes or an in depth analysis because I did not get far in this book, but I have another interesting conversation to explore instead.

I think this book has the potential to be harmful to adolescents who face the same challenges as Lia.  It is so effective at communicating the raw truths of what it is like to be within the depths of an eating disorder that those suffering from such an affliction would undoubtedly be triggered by its contents.  

As we see with Lia and Cassie, letting someone into the “inner world” of what is happening with one’s eating disorder is a way to hold oneself accountable.  As in the case with Lia and Cassie, they would intentionally trigger one another to encourage further destructive behavior.   I fear that the realism of Wintergirls would serve as an “intentional trigger” that those suffering with eating disorders might use to continue their behavior.  The helpful lessons learned by Lia within the book take a sort of perspective to be able to benefit from.  Teens who are in the midst of an eating disorder would likely miss out on any potential benefit of reading this book due to its triggering nature.  

In spite of its drawbacks, this book is also extremely important and beautifully written.  It is one of the best portrayals of what it is like to live with an eating disorder that I have ever read.  Thus, I think that this book’s power lies in its ability to teach other people what it is like to live with an ED and how to help those in their own lives who struggle.  I am surprised that this book was marketed as Adolescent Literature.  I believe it is vastly more appropriate to be read by adults with the perspective to be able to benefit from it without being disproportionately harmed by the triggering aspects of the book.   It could be a very helpful tool for parents to be able to learn about the experience of Lia so that they are more understanding of their own children’s struggles.

I applaud Laurie Halse Anderson for her ability to so eloquently deliver such a realistic account of Lia’s story.  An unfortunate symptom of her success is that the book can unintentionally harm the very group of individuals that it aims to help.  Therefore, discretion must be exercised when sharing this book.  I struggled with it and I am 23, with the wherewithal to put the book down rather than continue reading it.  I can’t imagine what 15-year-old me might have done with such a triggering book—but I don’t think I would have put it down, because I was not concerned with harming myself by way of “intentional triggers” the way I am now.  

Overall, this is a great book for teaching others about eating disorders.  I would not, however, teach it ina classroom setting.  I do not think this book could be taught without singling out students with eating disorders—which risks making them feel embarrassed.  We need to have difficult discussions about eating disorders to raise awareness about them, of course.  However, I don’t know if this book is the way to do that for a group of adolescents that might not know how to handle the contents.  

Let it also be known that I very, very rarely say that we should limit teens’ exposure to books in the classroom.  That’s how much power I believe this book holds to harm the Lia who might pick it up and read it.