Customer Reviews

Life-Size

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've finished two books where I continously had to check the spine of the book to make sure it was fiction. This one is one of them. This book is one inwhich I intend to read again. The author describes each feeling, and each hour and minute of the patient's life, this time, in treatment, and not wanting to improve. Wanting to remain, in her own definition of "perfect".
Josephine, the main character, is tough, resistent, and mysterious. The book goes into her mind. Answers questions as to why someone would want this kind of life. Why someone would not want to change themselves for the better, to remain with this type of exsistence. Then, you wonder if she recovers. You're left to guess. I read this book in five days. Too bad it's out of print. I feel very lucky to have obtained my own copy.

I found this book to be very similar to what goes through the minds of eating disordered women (I am one of them). It is a sad look into a society that places all the emphasis on the female form and not on what really counts. Unfortunatley, societal pressure has a way of ingraining itself on your soul, and this book is a great example of that. I didn't feel it was romanticized at all. On the contrary, there is nothing even remotely "romantic" in about this story.

This is one of only a handful of novels describing a victim of anorexia nervosa. Although I do not know if Ms. Shute has ever had anorexia, she did a fabulous job understanding and explaining it without encouraging it (when I first read this book, I was utterly disturbed by Josie's compulsions) or unwittingly doling out "tricks-of-the-trade". Josie is a 25 year-old female graduate student. After her roommate accidentally walks in on her in the shower, she freaks and calls Josie's parents. Unwillingly, Josie allows her parents to admit her to an eating disorders treatment facility. Yet she rebels and has scorn for the insistence of the doctors and nurses that she is dying; at 5'2'' and a mere 67 pounds, it is Josie's goal to sustain herself as a skeleton living off of air. It is only under the threat of hyperalimentation (a frightening method of intravenous nutrition) that Josie begins to eat.

The novel skips around a lot, giving subtle detail, and in parts, it is hard to understand. However, this is an accurate portrayal of the shrunken, distracted mind of an anorexic. The novel expresses all aspects of anorexia--degrading sexual experiences,perfectionism, our culture's emphasis on thinness, and family conflicts--not just offering a wrap-up explanation. Josie's acrid wit and humor are needed to keep the novel lively and give you a glimpse into the hidden pain and masked frustration she is faced with. I like how Josie is shown to be, despite her frailness, a woman who is not immature and weak (like anorexics are often betrayed) or on her knees at the hands of an omniscient therapist. Her pain has left her wary, and she is determined not to let anyone take control of her body away from her, even if accompanied by a loving hand.

I first read this book after reading an article about Shute and the book in a fitness magazine. I was around 13 at the time, and like most girls at that age, I was really into keeping fit and wanting to lose weight (although I was at a healthy weight and in good condition, just like most girls who think they need to lose weight). I wanted to read this book because it looked like a good novel in general and also to understand the disorder. I also wanted to read it, like other reviewers, to help me diet/starve myself to lose weight. I was delighted in both ways. It was an excellent read and because Shute does a perfect job at getting into Joise's head, it is easy to take on her thoughts. Although I attempted to "become" anorexic, I am happy to report I didn't (running was more important). This is an excellent book regardless of the subject matter, the character becomes very real. At first I felt sorry for her, then she annoyed me, and finally I feel in love with her and wanted her to get better. I can't tell you how many times I have read this book, too many to count. If you are looking for a good book, or are interested in anorexia, or know someone with it, then you should read this book. Warning to those that are currently struggling with the disorder, read with caution due to the triggers.

'Life-Size' is an excellent piece of fiction, using black humour and artistic originality to create a gripping dramatic prose.

The book is narrated by Josie, a severely anorexic young woman. The book is essentially a static one, with little plot except the memories and flashbacks in her mind. Starting off in the hospital where Josie has ended up and working backwards, we piece together the steps and events it has taken to get to this point.

Written with complete accuracy, the author manages to effectively convey the thoughts and mentality of a person with anorexia right down to the specific details. As we see the world through Josie's eyes, we see everything from the persepctive of a disordered mind. And Josie's extreme polarised thinking is made bearable (and even enjoyable) by a sharp wit and a deeply dark sense of humour. It is crafted almost like a piece of horror, a piece of black humour where the reality presented to us is so horrific that it becomes almost funny. It is similar in a way to Bret Easton Ellis's 'American Pyscho', where the mentality of a pyschopath becomes the 'norm' for the reader, and you become used it.

The narrative switches back and forth between past memories and present day, which gives the reader a brief and snatched reasons as to why Josie has become the way she has. Short insinuations about paternal sexual abuse quickly appears only to disappear just as quickly again, leaving the reader to draw their own conclusions. This is an effective way of writing, as it accurately mirrors the way Josie's mind works - brief memories quickly pushed to the back of her mind, so as not to dredge up past horrors. It makes for a gripping read, always leaving you wanting more information.

A truly great piece of fiction - and an inspired choice using an anorexic as a protaginist without resorting to using the novel as a piece of anti-anorexic propoganda.

Highly recommended.

Jenefer Shute's Life Size is both darkly comical and hauntingly tragic. Narrating from her hospital bed, Josie the book's emaciated antagonist, recounts her downward spiral into anorexia nervosa and her brave and often inspirational climb out of it. This book will forever change the way you look at eating disorders, erasing the national stereotype that anorexics and bulimics destroy their bodies, minds and selves simply to emulate 90's "it girl" Kate Moss.

I loved this novel, and I especially loved the observations of Josie, the anorexic woman at the center of this novel, from whose perspective this story is told. She reminded me of Deborah Blau in Hannah Green's "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden" - smart and sharp-tongued, with a sardonic wit, but despite her intelligence, still very sick with a mental disorder she can't control and is now afraid to give up, because she's come to define herself by it.

Lately I've been reading a lot of books about people with eating disorders, most of them autibiographical. Since this was a novel, I didn't think it would be as vivid, but Shute is one sharp writer, and her book drew me an as none of the other books did.

I'll be looking out for Shute's work in the future. I'm glad I read this novel.

It's always good to read a book that shows that treatment for eating disorders is actually worth it. I personally don't know if the treatment aspect is true to life, I hope it is, but the thoughts that go through her mind are realistic. Treatment is usually portrayed as a waste of time and money, books are usually written about those times when treatment fails, so this is an uplifting novel I suppose, even though it's fiction. I guess that's why I give it 4 stars. Not because it isn't well written, but because I don't know if I can believe the whole tale. I only recall hearing about one or two other patients through the larger part of the book and I don't believe that's the normal setting. Groups and activities are usually a large part of treatment, learning to communicate, and this book focuses on this girl's struggle as if she only interfaced with doctors and nurses. Otherwise, I highly recommend it.

I am stunned by the fact a writer can place herself in the shoes of an anorexia-patient like that. It has always wondered me what drives anorexic to not eating at all. I am attaining school now, it is an education which will get me into helping anorexia-patients. This book was an inspiration.

Jennifer, you make me laugh. (I've never been anorexic or never been in touch with anyone alike, but i like your voice). To those who enjoyed this book, have a look at Sex Crime, her second novel, which is something.