Counting Bones [Paperback]

Michelle J. Bahret (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2003

Go inside the mind of this author as she very candidly writes about her eating illness that almost destroyed her life. The need to be thin at any cost is a national problem. Many readers will see themselves through the writing of Michelle J. Bahret. Read about the devastating toll but also how she gained victory, life and real health.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Milo House Press (January 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592680178
• ISBN-13: 978-1592680177
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,072,435 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Warning: Do Not Read this Book, May 24, 2005

By 

Emily J. Cooke (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Counting Bones (Paperback)

To say that Counting Bones is merely horrible is, I think, extremely generous. If I could rate this book in black holes rather than stars, I'd give it 5. I'm an avid reader, and I've never found a book to be so bad that it was unreadable - until now.

This book seems to have missed a crucial step on the way to the printing press: a little thing called 'editing'. Nor does the author bother to employ that pesky device called 'narrative'. This leaves the reader with absolutely no clue as to what is going on. This book is essentially straight diary entries, with no explaination as to who anyone is, or what connexion they may possibly have to the author. Ms Bahret tries to convince the reader that her writing is beautiful (by including a segment on how beautiful her writing is!) However, I'm just not convinced.

Further, this book offers absolutely no insight to one suffering from an eating disorder or the people who love them. If you or someone you know has anorexia or bulimia, do not read this book. It will not teach you anything, or help you in any way.

I'm happy that the author was able to overcome her problems. However, it strikes me that she has traded one obsession for another - The Lord God & his son Jesus Christ. Granted, too much God is unlikely to kill her, but it does seem that she's only stepped out of one prison and straight into another. I'm not bashing God here. There's nothing wrong with religion - unless it borders on mania. It seems like the author has turned her religion into a crutch, much like her eating disorder. She all but says: 'the devil made me do it. But don't worry, God saved me'. Yet I didn't notice that she actually took the step of accepting responsibility for either her own faults or her own virtues. Any positive strides she made were attributed to God, and any mistakes were laid on the shoulder of . . . yes, you guessed it: Satan. I dislike the message this may send to people who currently have an eating disorder: just enslave yourself to the author's cult, and it will all go away (We may as well encourage these girls to develope a good solid marijuana habit. I makes you hungry, and you never have to face your problems).

Contrarily, this book could make a vulnerable person feel very badly about themselves - especially if they do believe in God - because the author suggests that her cure was brought about by her acceptance of her religion (essentially, she was healed as a reward for her faith). Well, what if you believe with all your heart, but you are not healed? Does that mean that God loves you less than Michelle J Bahret? The fact of the matter is that statistics for the efficacy of faith healing in Anorexia and bulimia have never been documented, and it is unfair to suggest that a maniacal belief in God could possibly be more effective than eating.

13 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Save your money, April 19, 2004

By 

Jocelyn Mathers (Mississippi) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Counting Bones (Paperback)

I read a lot of books on eating disorders and mental illness, and "Counting Bones" by Michelle Bahret is by FAR the worst book I've ever read in this category.

It is incredibly boring, filled more with trite inspirational quotes than anything resembling memoir. It is from a born-again Christian point of view, with myriad Bible quotes. If you're not an evangelical Christian, you will be bored to tears. I can't speak for Christians, but I don't expect they will much enjoy this book, either.

This book is published by an independent Christian company. Clearly all the real publishing houses immediately trashed the manuscript. You should, too.

Better anorexia books that deal with Christianity:
"Diary of an Anorexic Girl," by Morgan McKensie
"Slim to None," by Jennifer Hendricks

Better anorexia books in general:
"Wasted," by Marya Hornbacher
"Stick Figure: Diary of My Former Self," by Lori Gottlieb
"Life-Size," by Jenefer Shute (fiction)

"The Passion of Alice," by Stephanie Grant (fiction)
"Hunger Point," by Jillian Medoff

Avoid "Counting Bones" at all costs.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's about the journey, May 17, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Counting Bones (Paperback)

Michelle Bahret's diary of her journey through anorexia stirred my heart immensely, and showed me how much I didn't know about the disease and its causes.
It has given me much insight as to how to approach those who suffer the emotional and physical pain (and heartache) that stems from abuse. It (abuse) can be verbal, physical, and/or the lack of a family's love that can turn an individual inward to control their life the best way they know how.
My only regret about this book is that, even though Michelle is a Christian, she could've elaborated in more depth about her walk with God and Jesus, and how the Holy Spirit lead her to Victory. What an overcomer!!!