Going Hungry: Writers on desire, self-denial and overcoming anorexia

by: Kate Taylor, Editor

Published by: Anchor Books

Reviewed by Michele E. Davis

In 20th century America and beyond starving yourself has become de rigueur. This svelte woman of today, she is what we gauge our version of attractiveness upon. Unlike the women of the Renaissance who had wide thighs, sturdy hips, and bulbous derrieres, were considered the epitome of attractiveness because they had money to feed themselves, our society doesn’t believe that starvation is a blight upon the land. Now society hails to the anorexic. This is the girl who disappears to be seen by her parents, or the CEO who wants to self-improve, as if her career wasn’t enough, as she simultaneously destroys her body into oblivion.
Compromising what you eat on a day-to-day basis is a form of control and regulation of emotions, eating, dating, or sleep and this is what American society, with its rampant credit card excesses, cadre of kitchen gadgets that are never used, plethora of second homes, all seem to be the standard that needs to be followed rigorously by some, perhaps even excelled to.

By not overindulging in food you are proving to the world that you are successful with one thing: your weight. Whether successful or not, model, actress, CEO, women show the world their thin bodies, tiny waists, or constant craving for protein and petite corporate lunches that we, the women of today, are in control. As each new iteration of the DSM IV comes out there is always another definition of psycho-sickness. Now anorexia and its sisters in crime: bulimia and excessive use of laxatives are under attack. The reality of the situation is that until women start to believe that they are beautiful at any size they’ll be prey to the commentaries of societal size expectations of women.
This book is tightly edited and fantastic situational explanations from various women of all ages. This is a testament to our society.

Armchair Interviews says: This book contains essays by 19 authors: Priscilla Becker, Francesca Lia Block, Maya Browne, Jennifer Egan, Clara Elliot, Amanda Fortini, Louise Glück, Latria Graham, Francine du Plessix Gray, Trisha Gura, Sarah Haight, Lisa Halliday, Elizabeth Kadetsky, Maura Kelly, Ilana Kurshan, Joyce Maynard, John Nolan, Rudy Ruiz, and Kate Taylor.