Rating: 
Summary: The best book I've ever read
Review: Marya Hornbacher tells her devastating story with haunting clarity. The blow that eating disorders dealt her body and mind can only be seen through her perspective; there is no doctor who can accurately describe the horror of an eating disorder. Only through the eyes of experience can we truly see what hell it is. I would recommend this book to anyone!
Rating: 
Summary: torn between pity and disgust
Review: Marya writes beautifully, as many reviewers have noted. I was captivated by this book and finished it in a day. However, my two main reactions are pity for her, because she tormented herself so terribly, and disgust, because she refused to improve even though she went through many hospitalizations. I also believe her claim to be "all right" is bull. Yeah, I believe "all right" is exercising for an hour and a half, then blacking out. I also believe that pigs fly and Santa Claus puts presents under my Christmas tree!In the end, there is no one who can save a person such as Marya who is hell-bent on self-destruction. She probably can't even save herself: Her heart and immune system are both shot. I hope her will is up to date. It's sad that someone with such obvious abilities turned her energies to destroying herself. By the way, on several occasions Marya whines about being misunderstood by doctors. Am I the only one who noticed that there is no sign of a Medic Alert bracelet or necklace in the two pictures of her? Nor does she describe herself as wearing this necessary jewelry in the book. A very stupid omission for someone who portrays herself in imminent danger of cardiac arrest. Marya, please, grow up and realize that communicating with medical personnel is your responsibility. When they hear hoofbeats, they are trained to think horses, not zebras. In other words an ordinary doctor or dentist will not expect a normal-looking woman to have inflicted such massive damage on herself. Don't blame the dentist when he doesn't understand you. Grow up, get a Medic Alert bracelet, and present your health care practitioners with your medical records. It's the least you can do.
Rating:
Summary: honest and in need of talking with her!
Review: Marya... I haven't yet completed the book, although I read it everyday. I am an older person suffering from anorexia (34). My life has been an chaotic mass of turmoil for as long as I can remember. The book offers great insight to the fact that I am as normal as it gets in the confusing world of anorexia. I recently have stopped my therapy, (I felt it was not a helpful option) I am trying to get through this awful mess alone and reading your accounts of life as a person with an eating disorder has focused me on being "normal " again. Thank you for your honest insight on this terrible disease, (I am an RN) and it helps to know tht I am not alone in my single struggle to become free from my demons. God bless you for your honest insight and God help me to be strong and survive. Thank you for your talented writing and your honesty of reality.
Rating:
Summary: MY FAVORITE BOOK EVER!
Review: I work at a book shop and have the oppurtunity to read many books. Until "Wasted" I had not found one that I could call my favorite. Marya tells her story in a way that I could totally relate to. Her style of writing is one I found easy to read and able to stay with. Although this book is not for everyone, anyone with eating problems would easily relate. I know I did.
Rating:
Summary: Intoxicatingly painful...
Review: I dare say that this book would jolt anyone, whether he/she possessed a healthy body image or a 'distorted' one. I found myself entranced by Marya's story, finishing it in 3 sittings. It was written in a stream-of-consciousness manner which placed me deeper into the story than I had planned to delve. By the end, I felt wiser and less alone. I winced, nodded, cried, shook my head, and even laughed at loud during the course of this book -- it moved me. This book should be required reading for adolescents everywhere. What better way to help them along their way than by showing them the utter brutatlity of eating disorders?
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Superb!
Review: I read this book when it first came out in 1998 and I couldn't put it down - it consumed my entire weekend. I've re-read it several times and it makes me sad and angry...sad and angry at society for perpetuating the belief that if we are not thin we are nothing. Having suffered from both bulimia and anorexia as a teen, I could totally relate. Hornbacher's prose is sparkling! This is a must read. Be forwarned, however; it is a depressing read.
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Summary: my review
Review: First of all I would like to say that I enjoyed this book. I have suffered from Anorexia and Bulimia. Last summer my parents put me in a treatment center which i was against. One of the things they sent me off with was this book. i read it although the counselors confiscated it for giving me more motivation and learning more tricks for my eating disorder. I related to alot in the book. Frankly the first time I read it i was a little disappointer, But for some reason i read it again and saw it in a whole new light. The only problem i had with this book is that there were too many facts interjected into the book that detracted from the story. Other than that i thought it was great. Love Michele
Rating:
Summary: Eye-Opening
Review: I decided to read this book to develop an understanding the issues surrounding Bulimia and Anorexia. "Wasted" provided me with a realistic account of the emotional torment experienced by those suffering from eating disorders. Marya Hornbacher sheds light on (at least) three crutial points pertaining to eating disorders: 1. How our society provides a tempting forum for female bodily hatred; 2. There is a desparate need for more medical and financial resources directed towards the identification and treatment of those suffering from eating disorders; 3. There is a very strong and realistic chance that a survivor of an eating disorder may never fully recover either mentally or physically because of the deep-rooted nature of this problem. I highly recommend this book for anyone who either suffers from an eating disorder and is looking for a source of identification, or has a personal interest in gaining insight about issues pertaining to eating disorders. It is a gripping, terrifying and important book.
Rating:
Summary: An unbelievable example of candor!
Review: I read Wasted twice and couldn't put it down either time. I myself have struggled with disordered eating for the last five years, and still struggle today. This help put some perspective on my own hellish journey. I would reccomend this book to anyone who wants to understand the motives behind eating disorders. Marya, if you read this and have a moment, please e-mail me! Thanks!
Rating:
Summary: I wanted to slap this chick.
Review: Damn, girl. What a story, and you told it very well. I like your style, Marya. Your writing ability is the silver lininig to your mania and insanity with food. Thank God you've survived, but it's clear you're not completely out of the woods, as if one ever is with addiction and madness. You wanted to do something stellar; you did it. What other 23-year-old has written something so eloquent and brutal? If you never do another thing, you can rest on the laurels of Wasted. There were times, though, when I wished I could reach out and just slap the crap out of you. I'm sure it wouldn't have helped. You're right about one thing: eating disorders are dull. Eventually, it just gets old. Really f*cking old. Anorexia is surely the "sexiest" of the eating disorders, but even that gets boring after a while. But life can be pretty dull, too, and we have to make our excitement where we can. Too bad we choose the life-threatening stuff instead of something else like white-water rafting. I hope you live, Marya. I really do. I'd like to read your next book.
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