Rating: 
Summary: Did I read the same book??
Review: Someone made the grave mistake of telling this woman she was a fantastic writer!?!It's far too drawn out, extremely pretentious and incredibly borish in spots. The words 'pompous @$$' comes immediately to mind while wading thru this self indulgent drivel. I always thought of people with eating disorders as having extremely low self-esteem...she comes off as an arrogant know it all with an over exaggerated sense of self. Her writing style is chaotic and goes off in odd directions making flamboyant and clunky attempts at picturesque sentencing that just isn't happening in any sense of the word. She's so busy trying to make poetic descriptions of ordinary scenerios in order to sound 'artsy' it's just...she strikes me as someone educated far beyond their intelligence. I HIGHLY recommend STICK FIGURE instead. Raw and honest with some interesting insights into the mind of someone with an eating disorder without all the exaggerated pomp and circumstance. 'Stick Figure' is poignant, emotional and very human with some funny moments that chronicle how a young girl looks at our ridiculous cultural standards that contribute to a lot of eating disorders.
Rating: 
Summary: A Standout in the Library of Books About Eating Disorders
Review: As recovering anorexic, I have read many novels, memoirs and "self help" books about this disease that I, and so many others, suffer from. Hornbacher's memoir is the best of this type of book that I have read on the subject, for its eloquent writing addresses the emotional aspect of an eating disorder, while proving once and for all that anorexia and bulimia are not about food. On the other hand, this is a dangerous book to read, and should not be taken lightly or handed out to everyone. I say it's dangerous because it shares all the magician's secrets; most anoretics or bulimics would be happy to read this book, not to get well, but to discover new ways to manipulate others and sink further into the disease. However, this is the perfect book for anyone who wants or needs to understand the mind of an eating disordered person, though the hell-like situation Marya encounters is scary, even to those who know what it's like. All in all, I highly recommend this exquisitely sad memoir, though it's not for everyone.
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Summary: My review.
Review: I love this book because I can relate to it so well. I am female, competitive and have low self esteem issues. Marya Hornbacher writes about the same characteristics she has herself but on an entirely different level. Ms. Hornbacher has the ability to describe things EXACTLY as they were and exactly how she feels at that moment in the Interlude chapters. This book gives the reader an insight on how eating disorders can erode a ridiculously talented young woman (I am still amazed that she was only 22, 23 years old when she wrote it). It is not a snapshot of all eating disorder victims (quote: "So I get to be the stereotype: female, white, young, middle-class. I can't tell the story for all of us.") and should be read with the thought in mind that eating disorders can happen to anybody- the disfunction of the mind can happen to people you love.
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Summary: A MUST READ! I SWALLOWED IT WHOLE
Review: I have a friend who was diagnosed with anorexia before we met. She's like a sister to me, and she is now complete over it.
A while back she handed me this book and she told me, "three years ago i read this and strengthened myself that what i was doing is the right thing" her anorexia was much deeper than wanting to loose a few pounds. she asked me to read it and said that after I do she'd want to tell me something. I didn't know much about anorexia and i learned a lot from tis book. it tells this girls story so vividly and so well. it's fair and honest and real. In the introduction the author says that she wishes it will drive everybody away from eating disorders or to get help or help someone else. "when a normal person reads this they see hope and rebirth, I took it as a ride deeper down, starved myself one more day and another," my friend said to me. "I read this again before i gave it to you, I am amazed! some parts made me think what i had thought before but others where what the author said, disuassion." that was about 18 months ago. last week she handed me a folder. i opened to the first page and asked her what that was "to give you a rough idea what MY book is going to be like" anyone who reads this book or who was present when a close person had an eating disorder would have an idea as to how happy i was.
Rating:
Summary: i loved this book
Review: this book is one of the best books that i have ever read. it took me inside the life of a person that had anorexia and bulemia and it showed me how she lived. i never knew all of the struggles that someone went through just to feel that they look good. i recommend this to anyone and everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Wasted, but not over...
Review: Wasted was a book I couldn't put down, but at the same time I could not stand to read it. The details of her life were very clear and real. It was an amazing autobiography that I think everyone should read. It was a good way to learn about something I knew little about. Marya Hornbacher's story was not about romance or have a 'happily ever after' ending, it was the truth of her life. Anorexia and bulimia are becoming more and more noticed, but still it is hidden in every day life. This story brings it to life and shows the reader what it is really about.
Hornbacher explained her thoughts in such a detailed way it was almost hard to read at times, although, I found myself not wanting to put the book down. It was a like roller coaster; there were many climaxes in the book so it was always keeping my interest. Details of her thoughts and of her dreams, all of her different lifestyles that she lead, and her being placed in and out of different hospitals were very clear specific. The true story was very real to me that I found myself connecting to her in some way. I, like many women, have issues with food and my body. I don't like the way I look, but yet have done little to change that. I have not reached that point to think it is okay to have that possibility of bulimia and anorexia.
I believe that everyone, at some point, should read this eye opener. I learned a lot and am more aware of certain issues that I had never noticed before reading this book. I would not recommend this book to recovering patients. This book gives detailed thoughts as to why it is okay to be anorexic or bulimic. Hornbacher felt very strongly about her life and was very blunt when getting her point across to her audience. Her struggle has finally paid off.
Rating:
Summary: Striking
Review: I couldn't put this book down. I was completely mesmerized by it and I felt every word on the page register as I read through it (this is not common for me, I tend to skip parts). The book is beautifully disturbing. I would not recommend it if you are looking for answers--Hornbacher does an exceptional job of portraying the confusions and contradictions experienced by a person with an eating disorder. It is frightening and comforting at the same time, as you realize the horrors of anorexia and bulimia, but you realize also that you are not alone. Hornbacher is a gifted writer--her frequent use of the future tense to describe her experiences gives you an idea of the dissociation an eating disordered individual feels from herself and from reality. My favorite quote from the book, which makes the anorexic feel calmer about her own behaviors, and which outsiders don't seem to understand is, "Anoretics do eat." I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a deeper understanding of what an eating disorder is, whether for understanding themselves or for a friend/family member.
Rating:
Summary: i've been wasted, too. she just puts it better than i could
Review: All girls with an eating disorder of some kind will probably at some point, driven by innate self-interest and self-obsession, sneak to a library or secretly buy a book online about another girl with a similar eating disorder. We want to read things like this, and Wasted is the best. An obvious lover of Anne Sexton, Marya writes with a admirable flare and honesty. This is an incredible book.
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Summary: TRUE DETAIL CAN BE SCARY BUT SO IS THE WORLD!
Review: MARYA DOESN'T HOLD BACK ANYTHING AS SHE SHARES HER JOURNEY THROUGH TWO EATING DISORDERS. SHE STARTS OUT AT CHILDHOOD AT THE MERE AGE OF FOUR OR FIVE LOOKING AT SUGAR CONTENT AND WORRYING ABOUT HOW SHE SHOULD BE ON A DIET. AS THE YEARS PROGRESS THE TORTURE SHE PUTS HERSELF THROUGH IS AMAZINGLY VIVID. I GIVE THIS MEMOIR FOUR STARS ONLY BECAUSE IT AT TIMES CAN BE HARD TO KEEP READING ONE TORTOUS ACT AFTER ANOTHER THAT SHE DOES TO HERSELF. THIS BOOK TAKES OUT ALL THE STOPS TO LAY THE TRUTH ON THE TABLE. AS A READER YOU WILL JOURNEY IN AND OUT OF HEALTHY TO SICK TO NEAR DEATH. THIS NOVEL IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART OR PEOPLE THAT BELIEVE EATING DISORDERS ARE VEIN AND SELF PITY TRIPS. THOUGH THE HEART ACHE MARYA TAKES YOU THROUGH A VALUABLE LESSON CAN BE LEARNED AND APPRECIATED FROM THIS BOOK I RECCAMEND IT TO ALL WANTING TO KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT TWO EATING DISORDERS WITH ANY SUGARCOATING.
Rating: 
Summary: Overhyped and overwritten.
Review: I picked this book up as I was requested to do so. People have been telling me for ages that Wasted is a wonderful, mind-opening book. I will admit, that some of the information the author gives is good. Some things I wasn't aware of. However, the book was boring. Within the first few pages in the footnotes, she sets out to tell the difference between anoretic and anorexic. However, she uses the same wording in examples. This leads me to believe that she has no idea what she's talking about, or she isn't very good with words. In turn, this tells me to be cautious while reading this book. I did enjoy the book at some points, but other times it was a drag. She's a boring writer, and does too much to defend her own actions and neuroses.
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