Customer Reviews

My Life As a Male Anorexic

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

 

 

This book is nothing but excellent. It is a true account of what it is like, and what one may go through with an eating disorder. It may seem ridiculous, selfish, and hard to believe for someone who has not experienced an ED, but if you have then at least one account in this book will get under your skin, give you chills, and bring back memories. It said,and depressing, but a true tale of what it is like to have anorexia. And this book proves that it is a problem in men too.

This book is interesting and I think that it Krasnow provides a very unique perspective. The writing is extremely constricted and factual, but that in itself is an incredible glimpse into the mindset that anorexia can create (and that can cause someone to become anorexic). I'd definitely recommend this book to someone interested in the topic. The negatives: it's a very short read and it's quite depressing. Although I don't think it's very insightful, it does make a unique contribution to the literature because it deals with anorexia in men.

I intend absolutely no criticism of the author when I say that this book provides the reader with few if any answers as to the source of male anorexia or effective treatment. Krasnow presents the basic facts with a clear, straightforward delivery that asks no pity and promises no redemption. Indeed, as other reviewers have noted, we mourn Krasnow as one of anorexia's ultimate victims. Still, although family, friends, or the men who are struggling with anorexia or bulimia will sympathize with this account, they will have to pose any questions elsewhere.

In the final epilogue of this book, written shortly before Michael died, he writes: "If I thought that there was no hope, then there would have been no reason for me to write this story." Despite its harrowing subject matter, the very fact that this book was written at all is life-affirming. Michael struggled with a soul-crushing sense of inadequacy and self-hatred, yet he expresses throughout the book that he wanted to write this with the hope that it could shed light on his condition and help others. His sentences are often short and declarative for the very reason that you see his constant struggle to overcome the impression that any action of his--including writing--could have meaning to anyone. He forges ahead anyhow, painstakingly reconstructing his story, even researching the parts to which his memory is somewhat limited. He also expresses beautifully his love and regard for his parents, who sound like remarkable and caring people who endured too much. This book lends a great deal of light on how all-consuming anorexia can be. Michael's life and courage should be celebrated.

This book, although a rare example of a man with an eating disorder, is very disappointing. I was hoping for some unique perspective on eating disorders, but instead found little more than a daily food log. Admittedly, Michael's is a sad tale, but it offers no explanations, theories, hope, or guidance. It is a list of his complaints and discomforts and in the end, I had a hard time sympathizing. He made no attempts to truly get better or understand his illness and that is reflected in the one-dimensional book. I would not recommend this book to anyone trying to understand the disorder, nor is it interesting reading. It is monotonous and depressing.

Here's an example from the book that touches on my analysis. The author says his father died of Lou Gehrig's disease. He goes on to say, "My dad was the greatest, but honestly, I never think about him. The depression causes that." This guy does not just have no weight: he has no heart, interests, or concern for others.
This book is not something to grow upon like Audre Lorde's work on breast cancer or Marlon Riggs' meditations on HIV/AIDS. This guy describes his life as an anorexic but he doesn't care about himself or anyone else. His disconcern for everything is off-putting.
He knows that he is rare as a male anorexic, but he never details how he differs from his female counterpart. This book does not deal with gender issues at all. Supposedly, one's sexual role plays a part in the numbers of those with eating disorders, but this guy says nothing about what terms him on. Is he closeted about you-know-what or is he truly asexual? He doesn't say.
I am glad that class matters come up a bit here. I hear that treating anorexia is very expensive. Sometimes money restricts the author, but I am still concerned that only the wealthy can deal with this disease.
I am being presentist here, but this guy sure seems to obtain and quit jobs with ease. In today's tough economic environment, it's hard to read about someone being so unappreciative. There are many people now who would work hard for anything and the author can just drop jobs like he does weight.
Near the end, the author says, "The publisher wants me to have a resource page for anorexic treatments. I refuse to do that." The author doesn't care that he has the illness and doesn't care if others develop it. I hear it's hard to get a book deal and he seems very demanding and uncooperative in that regard too.
In fairness, the author condemns himself often. Still, he displays a selfishness and nastiness that may turn off many a sympathetic reader.