Hungry for Life

by Rachel Richards

FBT review:

Hungry for Life is a powerful memoir by Rachel Richards that offers a raw and honest look at the experience of anorexia from the perspective of a young girl. This compelling story takes readers on a journey through Rachel's distorted thoughts and the immense challenges she faces as she battles with her mental illness.

From a young age, Rachel struggles to understand and communicate her inner turmoil, leading to self-destructive behaviors and conflicts within her family. Through her obsession with controlling her food intake, Rachel finds a temporary sense of power and control. However, her journey takes a turn when she is hospitalized and forced to confront the true extent of her illness.

Despite achieving academic success, Rachel's weight continues to plummet, and her battle with self-harm and self-loathing intensifies. Only when she discovers a passion for acting does she find moments of respite from her distorted perceptions. But will it be enough to save her from the depths of her illness?

With its gripping narrative and heartfelt exploration of mental illness, Hungry for Life is a must-read for those seeking an intimate understanding of the human experience and the power of resilience. This book will both educate and inspire, making it a compelling choice for those who enjoy thought-provoking indie titles and are looking for their next captivating read.

Publisher Description:

In this painfully moving memoir, take a firsthand look at anorexia through the eyes of a young girl. Even in kindergarten, Rachel Richards knows something isn't right. By leading us through her distorted thoughts, she shines a light on the experience and mystery of mental illness.

As she grows up, unable to comprehend or communicate her inner trauma, Rachel lashes out, hurting herself, running away from home, and fighting her family. Restricting food gives her the control she craves. But after being hospitalized and force-fed, Rachel only retreats further into herself.

With a driving perfectionism, she graduates college with honors. But at sixty-nine pounds, Rachel is a shell of nervous and obsessive behaviors that have controlled her life. Years of self-harm and self-loathing have fueled the inner battles between good and evil, health and sickness, and life and death.

Acting on stage offers her moments of freedom from the skewed perceptions she's constructed over the years. But her dream of a career in theater is not enough to save her. What is the secret that will finally unleash her will to recover?