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The Obvious Game
THE OBVIOUS GAME is a 2016 Library Journal Self-e Selection!
“Everyone trusted me back then. Good old, dependable Diana. Which is why most people didn’t notice at first.”
"Your shirt is yellow."
"Your eyes are blue."
"You have to stop running away from your problems."
"You're too skinny."
Fifteen-year-old Diana Keller accidentally begins teaching The Obvious Game to new kid Jesse on his sixteenth birthday. As their relationship deepens, Diana avoids Jesse's past with her own secrets -- which she'll protect at any cost. A fearless look at the psyche of anorexia.
“Everyone trusted me back then. Good old, dependable Diana. Which is why most people didn’t notice at first.”
"Your shirt is yellow."
"Your eyes are blue."
"You have to stop running away from your problems."
"You're too skinny."
Fifteen-year-old Diana Keller accidentally begins teaching The Obvious Game to new kid Jesse on his sixteenth birthday. As their relationship deepens, Diana avoids Jesse's past with her own secrets -- which she'll protect at any cost. A fearless look at the psyche of anorexia.
310 pages, Paperback
First published January 30, 2013
5 people are currently reading
2376 people want to read
About the author
Rita Arens
13 books176 followersMy latest novel,
The Birthright of Parker Cleaves
, was published in August 2019 by InkSpell Publishing. Let me know if you check it out!
My first young adult novel is The Obvious Game from InkSpell Publishing. The Obvious Game is available in paperback and ebook (all formats) online at Kobo, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, InkSpell Publishing and Indiebound and is a 2016 Library Journal Self-e Selection.
Together with Stacy Morrison and Julie Ross Godar, I edited ROOTS (Open Road, 2013). My work has appeared in BlogHer Voices of the Year: 2012 (Open Road, 2012) and Kirtsy Takes a Bow (Bright Sky Press, 2009).
I edited Sleep Is for the Weak (Chicago Review Press, 2008), which won a 2009 National Parenting Publications Award.
My first young adult novel is The Obvious Game from InkSpell Publishing. The Obvious Game is available in paperback and ebook (all formats) online at Kobo, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, InkSpell Publishing and Indiebound and is a 2016 Library Journal Self-e Selection.
Together with Stacy Morrison and Julie Ross Godar, I edited ROOTS (Open Road, 2013). My work has appeared in BlogHer Voices of the Year: 2012 (Open Road, 2012) and Kirtsy Takes a Bow (Bright Sky Press, 2009).
I edited Sleep Is for the Weak (Chicago Review Press, 2008), which won a 2009 National Parenting Publications Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
September 3, 2013
The target market for The Obvious Game is teen-aged girls, and the book hits the target with a bulls eye. It blends just the right amount of romance and typical teen angst with hard facts about anything-but-typical teen eating disorders. The author's gritty descriptions of what drives her protagonist to control every morsel that goes into (and comes out of) her mouth balanced against her wicked sense of humor had me laughing through tears more than once.
The character of Diana, her struggles with her body image, and her life in a small town felt incredibly authentic to me. But what touched me more than anything was her struggle to face the possibility of the death of her mother. Having just lost a parent myself, I felt a connection with her in that regard more than any other. Although we may be better equipped to face that loss as we get older, it's every bit as scary when you're in the middle of life as when you're at the beginning. This part of the story translates to all ages.
The Obvious Game reaches the height of its genre by educating as well as entertaining. It's a terrific first novel by this author.
The character of Diana, her struggles with her body image, and her life in a small town felt incredibly authentic to me. But what touched me more than anything was her struggle to face the possibility of the death of her mother. Having just lost a parent myself, I felt a connection with her in that regard more than any other. Although we may be better equipped to face that loss as we get older, it's every bit as scary when you're in the middle of life as when you're at the beginning. This part of the story translates to all ages.
The Obvious Game reaches the height of its genre by educating as well as entertaining. It's a terrific first novel by this author.
January 11, 2013
Honestly I thought it was going to be just another YA novel, but I was so wrong! The Obvious Game is intense! It is beautifully written with believable characters - a story of despair, hope, pain and courage. I felt the author has a knack of knowing how much to explore each emotion, when to write and express a little more and when to hold back. I would say it was quite an emotional writing, almost on the verge of being dark and scary but also bringing in hope and light.
Diana seemed like the usual shy teenager with a popular friend. And the usual stuff about how a new good looking guy would still fall for her instead of going after the hot chick that every other guy is after. But her transition to almost being emotionally damaged and helpless was something that felt too real. With such powerful writing, I could totally feel the agony and pain Diana must have been feeling and how emotionally hard it could be to handle such situations. I could really understand the reasons behind her seemingly irrational behavior, what the fear of losing a parent could do to a kid, what peer pressure could make a person out to be and how a low self esteem could destroy a perfectly fine person. Kudos to the author for bringing out the psychology so vividly. While I was reading about what Diana was doing to herself, I couldn't stop myself from saying "Someone please help this kid!!" every now and then. I was feeling sorry for her but still rooting for her to emerge as a winner. It was very relieving to see Diana successfully fighting her demons.
The plot was pretty good and different. I also loved the parts with Diana and her mom. Those were the most touching and a good indicator of how much we need our mothers! Much more than we can even imagine! No matter what our age is, how far away we are, how close we are.
This is not a romantic light read. This calls for complete involvement of your mind and heart. This book will leave you thinking and in my case a little drained, but in a good way.
Diana seemed like the usual shy teenager with a popular friend. And the usual stuff about how a new good looking guy would still fall for her instead of going after the hot chick that every other guy is after. But her transition to almost being emotionally damaged and helpless was something that felt too real. With such powerful writing, I could totally feel the agony and pain Diana must have been feeling and how emotionally hard it could be to handle such situations. I could really understand the reasons behind her seemingly irrational behavior, what the fear of losing a parent could do to a kid, what peer pressure could make a person out to be and how a low self esteem could destroy a perfectly fine person. Kudos to the author for bringing out the psychology so vividly. While I was reading about what Diana was doing to herself, I couldn't stop myself from saying "Someone please help this kid!!" every now and then. I was feeling sorry for her but still rooting for her to emerge as a winner. It was very relieving to see Diana successfully fighting her demons.
The plot was pretty good and different. I also loved the parts with Diana and her mom. Those were the most touching and a good indicator of how much we need our mothers! Much more than we can even imagine! No matter what our age is, how far away we are, how close we are.
This is not a romantic light read. This calls for complete involvement of your mind and heart. This book will leave you thinking and in my case a little drained, but in a good way.
January 19, 2013
I really liked this book, and that is saying something for somebody who typically doesn't enjoy YA novels. The story rang very true, if not in the plot, the very much in the characters, the dialogue, and especially the internal monologues of Diana, the teenaged protagonist. Certain scenes, particularly those between Diana and her mother, felt so real they were painful. Rita Arens really has something to be proud of in The Obvious Game.
January 9, 2013
Powerful read. Full review to come.
February 4, 2013
I was very excited to read this book and I was not disappointed. THE OBVIOUS GAME is the story of a teenage girl living in a small-town in Iowa. Diana's world is falling apart as her mother battles cancer and just as Diana takes part in that delicate social dance known as "high school". Her best friend (who is not always the nicest person in the first place) is losing her own footing and her other friend is too wrapped up in her new boyfriend to take notice of the downward spiral that Diana is in. And soon, Diana has a new boyfriend of her, which makes things even more interesting. As Diana navigates all the challenges that life is throwing at her, she finds herself on the path to an eating disorder.
I really appreciated how Rita eloquently and respectfully approached the dissonance of living in a small town. Yes, there can be a safe, cozy embrace of being surrounded by people and traditions that never, ever change. But the environment can become stifling, particularly if you are a teenage girl trying to find yourself but are limited by the constraints of a small town mentality that expect you to never change or God forbid, to be different (Not that I am bitter about my own small-town experiences. Never.) Generally, I thought Rita's observations of living in a small-town were spot-on.
As a mother, this was interesting for me to read. I probably had far more sympathy for Diana's mother than I did Diana (Obviously, I will need to become more sympathetic for the Plight and Angst of the American Teenager in about 6 years. Ahem.) Still, I felt it was important for me to read this book as a mother of a daughter. I thought Rita was compelling in the way she depicted Diana's gradual march into her eating disorder. It did not happen over night. And as a mother, I am glad that I read about some of the methods girls use to hide their eating disorders. I had no idea.
I really appreciated how Rita eloquently and respectfully approached the dissonance of living in a small town. Yes, there can be a safe, cozy embrace of being surrounded by people and traditions that never, ever change. But the environment can become stifling, particularly if you are a teenage girl trying to find yourself but are limited by the constraints of a small town mentality that expect you to never change or God forbid, to be different (Not that I am bitter about my own small-town experiences. Never.) Generally, I thought Rita's observations of living in a small-town were spot-on.
As a mother, this was interesting for me to read. I probably had far more sympathy for Diana's mother than I did Diana (Obviously, I will need to become more sympathetic for the Plight and Angst of the American Teenager in about 6 years. Ahem.) Still, I felt it was important for me to read this book as a mother of a daughter. I thought Rita was compelling in the way she depicted Diana's gradual march into her eating disorder. It did not happen over night. And as a mother, I am glad that I read about some of the methods girls use to hide their eating disorders. I had no idea.
March 22, 2013
The minute I saw this book on Goodreads I needed to read it. Ever since the 7th grade when I read a book about a girl who was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and struggled through a hospitalization regiment in order to save her life, I've been fascinated by this desease. And when I say fascinated, I don't mean in a glamorous way but in a way that made me want to research everything I could possibly find out on this illness.
The book I read in the 7th grade Even If It Kills Me, focused on the character's rehabilitation rather than the gradual decent we experience with Diana in this book. Both stories were completely oposite to one another, but both show a necessary piece of what makes this illness so dangerous.
There was something so powerful (for me) about this story taking place in the 90s'. I more than related to Diana's 10th grade experience. How real this story truly is! It's rare to come across a story so accurate about teenage life in a small town. Rita Arens truly pulled me BACK in TIME to when I was 15 and was surrounded by so much chaos, confusion, love, hate, anger,devotion, sexual arousal, and deception. I don't think I've ever read a book till right now that made me feel that pang of fear you got as a teenager when you knew something was going on with a friend but no one would tell you what. OMG when that moment in the book occurred, I got that pang right in my gut! I was 15 again! right there beside her... It was the most strangest book reaction for me to date, I think!
This book was an amazingly captivating portrayal of teenaged life in it's most personal and vulnerable form. Beautifully written and executed, Rita Arens pulls you into a world where life is a series of uncontrollably scary moments that we just try our best to survive.
The book I read in the 7th grade Even If It Kills Me, focused on the character's rehabilitation rather than the gradual decent we experience with Diana in this book. Both stories were completely oposite to one another, but both show a necessary piece of what makes this illness so dangerous.
There was something so powerful (for me) about this story taking place in the 90s'. I more than related to Diana's 10th grade experience. How real this story truly is! It's rare to come across a story so accurate about teenage life in a small town. Rita Arens truly pulled me BACK in TIME to when I was 15 and was surrounded by so much chaos, confusion, love, hate, anger,devotion, sexual arousal, and deception. I don't think I've ever read a book till right now that made me feel that pang of fear you got as a teenager when you knew something was going on with a friend but no one would tell you what. OMG when that moment in the book occurred, I got that pang right in my gut! I was 15 again! right there beside her... It was the most strangest book reaction for me to date, I think!
This book was an amazingly captivating portrayal of teenaged life in it's most personal and vulnerable form. Beautifully written and executed, Rita Arens pulls you into a world where life is a series of uncontrollably scary moments that we just try our best to survive.
March 15, 2013
I know this book was written for teens, and it's perfect for them, but it's also perfect for adult survivors of the teen years! Though the book is set in the early nineties, its story is timeless.
Diana is a young girl facing the anguish of her mother's illness and her own eating disorder. It was handled with brilliant sensitivity. I found myself not only relating to Diana on such a deep and emotional level, but also not seeing the early symptoms of an eating disorder.
This is where it hit home for me. I too grew up with a mother who had cancer, and I also had an eating disorder that I kept hidden.
Diana's symptomology was so spot on that I didn't notice the signs of the disorder at first, much like any who was ill wouldn't. But then things evolved. The story is beautifully written with character development that was so rich and genuine that I couldn't put the book down.
I don't want to say much more or reveal any spoliers, but I will say this book wasn't just a wonderful read. It was poignant, painful, and beautiful. I haven't been so emotionally impacted by a book in a long time. So much so that it was a healing experience for me. And for that, Rita Arens, I must truly thank you.
Diana is a young girl facing the anguish of her mother's illness and her own eating disorder. It was handled with brilliant sensitivity. I found myself not only relating to Diana on such a deep and emotional level, but also not seeing the early symptoms of an eating disorder.
This is where it hit home for me. I too grew up with a mother who had cancer, and I also had an eating disorder that I kept hidden.
Diana's symptomology was so spot on that I didn't notice the signs of the disorder at first, much like any who was ill wouldn't. But then things evolved. The story is beautifully written with character development that was so rich and genuine that I couldn't put the book down.
I don't want to say much more or reveal any spoliers, but I will say this book wasn't just a wonderful read. It was poignant, painful, and beautiful. I haven't been so emotionally impacted by a book in a long time. So much so that it was a healing experience for me. And for that, Rita Arens, I must truly thank you.
March 17, 2013
Review originally featured on Bookluvrs Haven
A hard to put down, coming of age story about a young girl that struggles with her self image and self esteem. Feeling as if most of her life is spinning out of control, Diana latches on to the one thing that she CAN control - eating.
This was an insightful story into the mind and emotions of a young girl coping with some difficult circumstances. Her warped perception of her body was saddening. Her anger and need to push everyone away during her most depressed moments was heartbreaking. I found myself hoping that she would see herself differently through Jesse's eyes, who cared so much for her. Or that she would change her perceptions because of her mother's illness. But some battles simply can not be fought on your own.
A really well written novel filled with very realistic situations and emotions. Heartbreaking in one moment, funny and joyful the next, it is a rollercoaster of a novel with a powerful message.
*I received a eBook copy of this book for free to review from the author/publisher; this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.*
A hard to put down, coming of age story about a young girl that struggles with her self image and self esteem. Feeling as if most of her life is spinning out of control, Diana latches on to the one thing that she CAN control - eating.
This was an insightful story into the mind and emotions of a young girl coping with some difficult circumstances. Her warped perception of her body was saddening. Her anger and need to push everyone away during her most depressed moments was heartbreaking. I found myself hoping that she would see herself differently through Jesse's eyes, who cared so much for her. Or that she would change her perceptions because of her mother's illness. But some battles simply can not be fought on your own.
A really well written novel filled with very realistic situations and emotions. Heartbreaking in one moment, funny and joyful the next, it is a rollercoaster of a novel with a powerful message.
*I received a eBook copy of this book for free to review from the author/publisher; this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.*
November 10, 2025
Just what I was looking for
I keep looking at young adult books to find my favorite type from when I was a young adult. Though, I didn’t have these same problems I always understood where they came from. I loved the characters and found myself really pulling for them. They were all so lovable. You really find out who your friends are. I loved it.
I keep looking at young adult books to find my favorite type from when I was a young adult. Though, I didn’t have these same problems I always understood where they came from. I loved the characters and found myself really pulling for them. They were all so lovable. You really find out who your friends are. I loved it.
January 21, 2021
Having a family member with anorexia made me interested in this book. Many of her actions were described in this book. The intensity of feelings from love to loss were vivid.
February 24, 2025
hopefully would be helpful to young people dealing with serious issues like cancer in the family and eating disorders. Some of a dialogue was anachronistic, which I find distracting, but not bad.
November 9, 2025
The overall message really hits home. There are some extremes that seem stereotypical, but overall does a great job of showing the mental battle of each character.
March 2, 2013
[FOR MORE REVIEW, CHECK OUT : http://mnkbooklife.blogspot.com/]
"I was terrified of never feeling happy again. I was scared of losing Jesse. I was scared of killing myself. I didn’t know if I could stop. I didn’t know if I could not stop. I didn’t, actually, know anything about myself. "
—Diana
I didn't actually know what to expect when I first read the blurb of The Obvious Game, so when I knew that it was mainly about anorexia, I was a bit pessimistic. I never read any anorexia-related novel before. But this book totally changes my perceptive. And I glad it did.
The Obvious Game told us about the everyday life of Diana Keller, how she struggled with her mother who had cancer, how she kept up with her friends Amanda, and how she dealt with her past as an overweight kid and was mocked because of it. But when Jesse, a new boy from Kansas City, moved in, everything suddenly changed for Diana. That's when her past decided to come back and haunt her once again. And this time, she had to choose, whether to fight it, or run away from herself.
The plot of this book was actually quite great. It was fast-paced, and I like how not one part was meaningless and sagging, but rather advancing the story even more. Every chapter ended in such an interesting way it made the readers craved for more and more, curious about how it all would ended. I love how the problem seemed to pile up more and more, creating a great tension, and then it all resolved in such a beautiful way. The ending was satisfying too, with all problem solved, and all well ends well. And the concept for The Obvious Game, the game which was originally between Diana and her friend Seth of stating the obvious thing, was quite funny and original as well.
Diana Keller, as our main character, was actually pretty believable. I could totally feel her emotion throughout the book, when she was happy, sad, struggling with her life, etc. She was not all perfect too, which made it easy for readers to relate to her. One thing I loved very much from her was that she represented teenage girls these days perfectly. As a teenage myself, I could really feel what she feel, and yes, everyday we live with insecurities of not being good enough for the society. And Diana sounded just like a true teenage girl.
Jesse, Diana counterpart as well as her first love, was well-developed as well. I love how he could understand Diana's situation perfectly, because he too, had a brother who died from cancer. And not like any other male protagonist out there, Jesse didn't stick around when things got rough, which may be insulting for some readers, but interesting to me actually. It's just so like the real world, where not many people might stick up when his girlfriend got into trouble. I love how Arens made her characters pretty flesh and bone and not just following the stereotypes.
Lin, Diana's soon-to-be friend, was very likable as well. She didn't have any major part early on the book, but when things start to get rough for Diana, the world eventually shown her who her real friend truly was, and that was when Lin started to be something in Diana's life. I love how she was so mature and composed, and she accepted things the way it is, with no complain and whatever.
One thing I'm not quite fond of this book was the character of Amanda, Diana's friend.
Even though most of the character of this book was shaped perfectly with believable flaw and personality, Amanda totally was another story.
I didn't really like her, mainly because she was simply a brat. she did anything however she want, and she totally didn't care about anyone around her. She also acted without thinking first, and then apologized later like it was no big deal, when she didn't know how big the damage she had cause. it's actually okay for an annoying best friend to have this trait, but what made it hard to like her was that she didn't have any redeeming trait at all.
Overall, if you would like to read something that deals with teenage's world : their life, love, insecurities, friendship, betrayal, and a whole lot more, you should definitely give this a try.
"I was terrified of never feeling happy again. I was scared of losing Jesse. I was scared of killing myself. I didn’t know if I could stop. I didn’t know if I could not stop. I didn’t, actually, know anything about myself. "
—Diana
I didn't actually know what to expect when I first read the blurb of The Obvious Game, so when I knew that it was mainly about anorexia, I was a bit pessimistic. I never read any anorexia-related novel before. But this book totally changes my perceptive. And I glad it did.
The Obvious Game told us about the everyday life of Diana Keller, how she struggled with her mother who had cancer, how she kept up with her friends Amanda, and how she dealt with her past as an overweight kid and was mocked because of it. But when Jesse, a new boy from Kansas City, moved in, everything suddenly changed for Diana. That's when her past decided to come back and haunt her once again. And this time, she had to choose, whether to fight it, or run away from herself.
The plot of this book was actually quite great. It was fast-paced, and I like how not one part was meaningless and sagging, but rather advancing the story even more. Every chapter ended in such an interesting way it made the readers craved for more and more, curious about how it all would ended. I love how the problem seemed to pile up more and more, creating a great tension, and then it all resolved in such a beautiful way. The ending was satisfying too, with all problem solved, and all well ends well. And the concept for The Obvious Game, the game which was originally between Diana and her friend Seth of stating the obvious thing, was quite funny and original as well.
Diana Keller, as our main character, was actually pretty believable. I could totally feel her emotion throughout the book, when she was happy, sad, struggling with her life, etc. She was not all perfect too, which made it easy for readers to relate to her. One thing I loved very much from her was that she represented teenage girls these days perfectly. As a teenage myself, I could really feel what she feel, and yes, everyday we live with insecurities of not being good enough for the society. And Diana sounded just like a true teenage girl.
Jesse, Diana counterpart as well as her first love, was well-developed as well. I love how he could understand Diana's situation perfectly, because he too, had a brother who died from cancer. And not like any other male protagonist out there, Jesse didn't stick around when things got rough, which may be insulting for some readers, but interesting to me actually. It's just so like the real world, where not many people might stick up when his girlfriend got into trouble. I love how Arens made her characters pretty flesh and bone and not just following the stereotypes.
Lin, Diana's soon-to-be friend, was very likable as well. She didn't have any major part early on the book, but when things start to get rough for Diana, the world eventually shown her who her real friend truly was, and that was when Lin started to be something in Diana's life. I love how she was so mature and composed, and she accepted things the way it is, with no complain and whatever.
One thing I'm not quite fond of this book was the character of Amanda, Diana's friend.
Even though most of the character of this book was shaped perfectly with believable flaw and personality, Amanda totally was another story.
I didn't really like her, mainly because she was simply a brat. she did anything however she want, and she totally didn't care about anyone around her. She also acted without thinking first, and then apologized later like it was no big deal, when she didn't know how big the damage she had cause. it's actually okay for an annoying best friend to have this trait, but what made it hard to like her was that she didn't have any redeeming trait at all.
Overall, if you would like to read something that deals with teenage's world : their life, love, insecurities, friendship, betrayal, and a whole lot more, you should definitely give this a try.
January 24, 2013
First of all, I was given the chance to read an advance copy of this book for review purposes. I have not been compensated in any way (other than being given a PDF copy of this book) and my opinion on the book are entirely my own.
Second, this book contains depictions and discussion of disordered eating/anorexia and cancer and may be triggering for some people.
15 year old Diana Keller is having a really hard time. Her mom is sick, incredibly sick, with cancer and that's a lot to deal with. Her friends are maturing and changing and she's feeling left behind and left out. And she's tired of being Fat Diana. She meets Jesse, a new arrival in their tiny rural town, and they start dating, and she wants to be perfect for him. So she starts doing something... she starts exercising, a lot. And she stops eating.
It... doesn't really help.
This is a pretty unflinching look at ED and the way it impacts people. Arens really digs into the mindset of ED, the obsession, the logic and illogical. It's beautifully written, but sometimes hard to read because it's so meaty. Despite the meatiness, however, there's a lot of humor in the book, and a lot of hope. Diana is, ultimately, lucky: she has some very good friends, and a very close and supportive family. A lot of people notice that Something Is Wrong and do their best to help her. Arens also draws parallels between acceptable ED (young men trying to drop weight to get into a lower weight class for sports) and unacceptable ED (young women trying to drop weight because women are supposed to take up as little space as possible).
If you're of a certain age, you might have spent Junior High and High School inundated with "problem books" or "issue books," edifying fiction novels usually featuring teen aged women who have SERIOUS problems in an unending stream. Their parents have cancer or are dead, they have cancer, they want to be concert pianists but break their arms on the weekend before The Big Audition, someone is beating them, someone is raping them, they can't stop shop lifting, etc. They were depressing books. It would be easy to glance at this book and see "mom has cancer" and "ED" and assume it's more of the same. It really is not, however. There's far too much hope, humor, and support in the book. Additionally, giving a character's mom cancer is usually a way to write mom out of the picture while giving the protag some big drama thing that shapes them. Arens manages to center Diana's relationship with her mom. Her mom has cancer, but she's still mom, and she's still important.
There are two other things I adored about the book. One is Diana's best guy friend. They love each other very much and trust and respect each other and are siblings with different parents, basically. They are very close emotionally and comfort each other physically (hugs, cuddles) but there's no romantic pressure or expectations. I really hate the idea that men and women can't be FRIENDS because SEX/ROMANCE IS INEVITABLE. So it's super refreshing to see a positive, affirming heterosexual relationship. And speaking of sex, another thing I liked is that Diana has sex and doesn't get shamed/punished for it. She worries briefly about the consequences of pregnancy and if her boyfriend will still respect her, but he does. She worries her parents will find out, but they don't. (and if they did, well, they stick by her in every other way so I doubt finding out she got her bone on would be the end of the world) One of her best friends is well known for "kissing" every available guy she sees, and another has a very serious boyfriend and spends a lot of time behind closed doors with him. Neither gets in trouble/shamed for their actions. Whaaat! Young women have sex and it's not the end of the world!?! ADORE.
That said, I think my absolute favorite scene in the book is Diana's snippy Passive-Aggressive "attack" on a teacher she doesn't like. She cracks open "Bartlett's Familiar Quotations" and slips a saying about hypocrisy under his door. Oh, nerdy teen angst, I adore and identify with you!
Second, this book contains depictions and discussion of disordered eating/anorexia and cancer and may be triggering for some people.
15 year old Diana Keller is having a really hard time. Her mom is sick, incredibly sick, with cancer and that's a lot to deal with. Her friends are maturing and changing and she's feeling left behind and left out. And she's tired of being Fat Diana. She meets Jesse, a new arrival in their tiny rural town, and they start dating, and she wants to be perfect for him. So she starts doing something... she starts exercising, a lot. And she stops eating.
It... doesn't really help.
This is a pretty unflinching look at ED and the way it impacts people. Arens really digs into the mindset of ED, the obsession, the logic and illogical. It's beautifully written, but sometimes hard to read because it's so meaty. Despite the meatiness, however, there's a lot of humor in the book, and a lot of hope. Diana is, ultimately, lucky: she has some very good friends, and a very close and supportive family. A lot of people notice that Something Is Wrong and do their best to help her. Arens also draws parallels between acceptable ED (young men trying to drop weight to get into a lower weight class for sports) and unacceptable ED (young women trying to drop weight because women are supposed to take up as little space as possible).
If you're of a certain age, you might have spent Junior High and High School inundated with "problem books" or "issue books," edifying fiction novels usually featuring teen aged women who have SERIOUS problems in an unending stream. Their parents have cancer or are dead, they have cancer, they want to be concert pianists but break their arms on the weekend before The Big Audition, someone is beating them, someone is raping them, they can't stop shop lifting, etc. They were depressing books. It would be easy to glance at this book and see "mom has cancer" and "ED" and assume it's more of the same. It really is not, however. There's far too much hope, humor, and support in the book. Additionally, giving a character's mom cancer is usually a way to write mom out of the picture while giving the protag some big drama thing that shapes them. Arens manages to center Diana's relationship with her mom. Her mom has cancer, but she's still mom, and she's still important.
There are two other things I adored about the book. One is Diana's best guy friend. They love each other very much and trust and respect each other and are siblings with different parents, basically. They are very close emotionally and comfort each other physically (hugs, cuddles) but there's no romantic pressure or expectations. I really hate the idea that men and women can't be FRIENDS because SEX/ROMANCE IS INEVITABLE. So it's super refreshing to see a positive, affirming heterosexual relationship. And speaking of sex, another thing I liked is that Diana has sex and doesn't get shamed/punished for it. She worries briefly about the consequences of pregnancy and if her boyfriend will still respect her, but he does. She worries her parents will find out, but they don't. (and if they did, well, they stick by her in every other way so I doubt finding out she got her bone on would be the end of the world) One of her best friends is well known for "kissing" every available guy she sees, and another has a very serious boyfriend and spends a lot of time behind closed doors with him. Neither gets in trouble/shamed for their actions. Whaaat! Young women have sex and it's not the end of the world!?! ADORE.
That said, I think my absolute favorite scene in the book is Diana's snippy Passive-Aggressive "attack" on a teacher she doesn't like. She cracks open "Bartlett's Familiar Quotations" and slips a saying about hypocrisy under his door. Oh, nerdy teen angst, I adore and identify with you!
April 6, 2013
[4.5/5]
To read an excerpt of this novel and enter for a chance to win one of 7 copies of the book, check out my tour stop here! (:
I once read a guest post by an author that said that teenagers weren't very complex, so why make your characters in YA novels complex? This might just be me, since I'm a teenager, but I completely disagree with that statement. Everyone, including teenagers, might seem simple on the outside, but might be fighting a battle inside. And everyone has a story to tell. In The Obvious Game, Rita Arens is somehow able to beautifully and realistically portray the story of a girl who is faced with an eating disorder and the scarier parts of falling in love.
Diana, in a way, is an ordinary girl. She has friends, some closer than others, has crushes on boys, and faces the same self-esteem issues that any teenage girl might face. During the book, the author focuses on those issues, and flushes out her thoughts with detail and emotion. There were just so much feelings involved, and they really tugged at my heart. At times, I just felt so much sympathy for her and wanted to give her a giant hug. That being said though, when she finally recovers, it was also really heartwarming, though the journey there is grueling both for Diana to go through, and for me to imagine.
The side characters, though, were where I thought the book really shined. It's not that the story, main protagonist, or romance were bad, but because I thought that characters like Amanda, Lin, Seth, and her mother were also so powerful. I'll say it once, and I'll say it again - this book isn't all rainbows. Among many problems, the side characters had to battle against cancer, learn to deal with pregnancy issues, and also drank a lot. Even Lin, who didn't seem to have "direct" problems was dealing with how to try to help Diana, and had to become really understanding and patient.
I was also a fan of the romance. In the beginning, it was more slow and drawn out, but it was also really sweet. By the end of the book though, you can tell that it's obviously not a perfect relationship, which I appreciated. In many YA romance novels, even ones that I really enjoy, you have "perfect" couples who support each other no matter what. In contrast, in The Obvious Game, you can see the limits and the different stresses and darkness in Diana & Jesse's relationship, which made the book more realistic. The romance is also not the main focus of the book, which I also liked.
And then the plot puts all of this great stuff together. Like in many novels, the story really was the basis of the book, while things like the romance and characters were added pluses in the novel. That aside, the plot was also drawn out, although I was never bored with it. Most of the story's not very happy either, but, again, it makes the book scarily realistic, which was why I couldn't tear myself from my Kindle until I was absolutely forced to.
The Obvious Game was overall an amazing read, with complex characters, scarily realism, emotion, pain, hope, and everything in between. Any contemporary reader, especially YA readers, teenagers or fans of "problems" books should consider reading this book. In fact, I'd go as far as to say any teenager, parent, or reader should consider picking up this book, because of its message and complexity.
* A review copy of this novel was provided by the publisher. This did not affect my opinion of the book.
To read an excerpt of this novel and enter for a chance to win one of 7 copies of the book, check out my tour stop here! (:
I once read a guest post by an author that said that teenagers weren't very complex, so why make your characters in YA novels complex? This might just be me, since I'm a teenager, but I completely disagree with that statement. Everyone, including teenagers, might seem simple on the outside, but might be fighting a battle inside. And everyone has a story to tell. In The Obvious Game, Rita Arens is somehow able to beautifully and realistically portray the story of a girl who is faced with an eating disorder and the scarier parts of falling in love.
Diana, in a way, is an ordinary girl. She has friends, some closer than others, has crushes on boys, and faces the same self-esteem issues that any teenage girl might face. During the book, the author focuses on those issues, and flushes out her thoughts with detail and emotion. There were just so much feelings involved, and they really tugged at my heart. At times, I just felt so much sympathy for her and wanted to give her a giant hug. That being said though, when she finally recovers, it was also really heartwarming, though the journey there is grueling both for Diana to go through, and for me to imagine.
The side characters, though, were where I thought the book really shined. It's not that the story, main protagonist, or romance were bad, but because I thought that characters like Amanda, Lin, Seth, and her mother were also so powerful. I'll say it once, and I'll say it again - this book isn't all rainbows. Among many problems, the side characters had to battle against cancer, learn to deal with pregnancy issues, and also drank a lot. Even Lin, who didn't seem to have "direct" problems was dealing with how to try to help Diana, and had to become really understanding and patient.
I was also a fan of the romance. In the beginning, it was more slow and drawn out, but it was also really sweet. By the end of the book though, you can tell that it's obviously not a perfect relationship, which I appreciated. In many YA romance novels, even ones that I really enjoy, you have "perfect" couples who support each other no matter what. In contrast, in The Obvious Game, you can see the limits and the different stresses and darkness in Diana & Jesse's relationship, which made the book more realistic. The romance is also not the main focus of the book, which I also liked.
And then the plot puts all of this great stuff together. Like in many novels, the story really was the basis of the book, while things like the romance and characters were added pluses in the novel. That aside, the plot was also drawn out, although I was never bored with it. Most of the story's not very happy either, but, again, it makes the book scarily realistic, which was why I couldn't tear myself from my Kindle until I was absolutely forced to.
The Obvious Game was overall an amazing read, with complex characters, scarily realism, emotion, pain, hope, and everything in between. Any contemporary reader, especially YA readers, teenagers or fans of "problems" books should consider reading this book. In fact, I'd go as far as to say any teenager, parent, or reader should consider picking up this book, because of its message and complexity.
* A review copy of this novel was provided by the publisher. This did not affect my opinion of the book.
February 12, 2013
I have read a few novels that center around eating disorders, but this story is told a bit differently. What makes The Obvious Game stand out to me is that the main character, Diana, does not start out with this problem. She turns to self induced hunger as an aspect of her life that she can control. As her life seems to get more unwieldy and emotionally wracking, the sources of which are out of her domain, she starts reaching for something - a goal - that she can have complete control over. For her, that means not being the "fat girl" anymore. This strive to be skinny, to leave her past behind, to finally be in charge of what happens to her, becomes an obsession. An addition - an illness - which may just take everyone around her down with her.
The novel starts out dated in the early nineties. Honestly, this confused me. The reader is given a specific date, and I kept looking for a reason for this to be relevant. Was there a specific event that happened in that year? Will we get a "ten years later" or something like that towards the end? It wasn't until my interview with the author ( which you can see here ) that I understood what the author was going for. She wanted a time period where Diana wasn't plugged in all the time. Her friends and parents couldn't constantly call or text her. It was time where secrets were easier to hide, and consequentially, help was harder to find. I wish I made this connection on my own, because looking back, I really do see how it adds to the story.
The actual obvious game is when people talk to each other only by saying obvious statements. For instance, if we were having a conversation right now, I would say "I am writing a blog post." To which you would say, "I am reading your review". This doesn't seem like much, but the way in which it is entwined into the story is really well done. The obvious game means something different to each of the characters, and it really seems like another character in itself. For something so silly, it carries a lot of weight in the story. It is both comedic relief for the reader, as well as an odd symbol of hope for Diana. She teaches the game (accidentally) to her love interest, and she wants him to be able to relate, for it to mean as much to him as it does to her. But it isn't his game. The game has ties to Diana and her best friend. Ironically, it is probably the one stable factor in her life, but she just can't see that.
My criticism with this novel is that I was not too keen on Jesse, the new kid/friend/boyfriend figure. I understand the need for some romance to lighten up the very dark plot, but I did not find him likable. He fulfills his role for the evolution of Diana, but I'm not quite sure if it was in the way that was intended. I never saw him as a source of light for Diana, but rather an entity adding to the disfunction and disappointment of her life. I saw him as a figure pushing her towards her eating disorder, not pulling her away from it. Again, I'm not sure if this is intentional, but he does have his role.
Overall, this was an enlightening novel. Previous novels I've read with this subject matter usually take off with the disorder in full swing, giving the reader insights into its origin through flashbacks. Being able to see the triggers and the progression of her anorexia helped me to better understand the disease and become a little more sympathetic to it.
The novel starts out dated in the early nineties. Honestly, this confused me. The reader is given a specific date, and I kept looking for a reason for this to be relevant. Was there a specific event that happened in that year? Will we get a "ten years later" or something like that towards the end? It wasn't until my interview with the author ( which you can see here ) that I understood what the author was going for. She wanted a time period where Diana wasn't plugged in all the time. Her friends and parents couldn't constantly call or text her. It was time where secrets were easier to hide, and consequentially, help was harder to find. I wish I made this connection on my own, because looking back, I really do see how it adds to the story.
The actual obvious game is when people talk to each other only by saying obvious statements. For instance, if we were having a conversation right now, I would say "I am writing a blog post." To which you would say, "I am reading your review". This doesn't seem like much, but the way in which it is entwined into the story is really well done. The obvious game means something different to each of the characters, and it really seems like another character in itself. For something so silly, it carries a lot of weight in the story. It is both comedic relief for the reader, as well as an odd symbol of hope for Diana. She teaches the game (accidentally) to her love interest, and she wants him to be able to relate, for it to mean as much to him as it does to her. But it isn't his game. The game has ties to Diana and her best friend. Ironically, it is probably the one stable factor in her life, but she just can't see that.
My criticism with this novel is that I was not too keen on Jesse, the new kid/friend/boyfriend figure. I understand the need for some romance to lighten up the very dark plot, but I did not find him likable. He fulfills his role for the evolution of Diana, but I'm not quite sure if it was in the way that was intended. I never saw him as a source of light for Diana, but rather an entity adding to the disfunction and disappointment of her life. I saw him as a figure pushing her towards her eating disorder, not pulling her away from it. Again, I'm not sure if this is intentional, but he does have his role.
Overall, this was an enlightening novel. Previous novels I've read with this subject matter usually take off with the disorder in full swing, giving the reader insights into its origin through flashbacks. Being able to see the triggers and the progression of her anorexia helped me to better understand the disease and become a little more sympathetic to it.
February 17, 2013
Complete review at Vinobaby's Voice
I don't read a ton of YA. Yes, I've read today's YA blockbusters. I vaguely remember reading Judy Blume's Tiger Eyes back in about fifth grade, some Sweet Valley High and Girls of Canby Hall before I made the switch to hard core "adult" books. Back then, books for teens didn't include premarital sex, eating disorders, or underage drinking (as this one does). At least none that I recall. I could have been looking in the wrong place. I hated everything about being a teenager—reading was my form of escapism, and the last thing I wanted to do was jump into the life of another angst-filled teen—instead I pretended I was an adult, freed from pubescent hell. So I don't know if I would have been drawn to read Rita Aren's debut YA novel The Obvious Game as a teen.
But I should have.
None of my close friends struggled with eating disorders...none that I noticed. I never caught any Heathers-esque barf fests in the bathroom after lunch or saw any of my friends wither into slight shadows of themselves. But considering estimates that millions of teens battle E.D.s, I'm sure some of my friends and classmates silently suffered. They just hid it well. And I didn't look. I didn't see. This book will open some eyes, and hopefully let some teens hiding in plain sight be seen.
I found the thought process, the reasoning behind the spiral into Diana's disorder fascinating and terrifying at the same time. While I kept rooting for Diana to stop, just slow down, just eat for Christ's sake, I could see how somehow the destructive behavior made sense to her. And how it became too powerful for her to control, and engulfed her. This sensitive portrayal of her struggle was obviously written with great care, and by someone with firsthand knowledge.
The characters seemed like people I could know. I wanted to be friends with Diana, call her up so she could vent, hang out with her and give her a shoulder to lean on. I liked her father and his mix of awkwardness, love, and quiet strength. I would have loved to have found a Jesse, an attractive, slightly more worldly guy from a big town, who had experienced loss as well. We've all had an Amanda, a friend who's beautiful and popular and everything we wanted to be on the outside, yet was often ugly and cruel on the inside. And Diana, like many of us, chased after her version of pretty-girl perfection anyway.Thankfully she has a great guy friend—you know, the type with no attraction strings attached.
I enjoyed how the story was set in a somewhat simpler time—before sexting and cyberbullying—which allowed Rita to include chapter song titles from my own youth (The Obvious Game playlist). Pretty awesome.
The Obvious Game is raw, real, yet filled with humor and hope.
I don't read a ton of YA. Yes, I've read today's YA blockbusters. I vaguely remember reading Judy Blume's Tiger Eyes back in about fifth grade, some Sweet Valley High and Girls of Canby Hall before I made the switch to hard core "adult" books. Back then, books for teens didn't include premarital sex, eating disorders, or underage drinking (as this one does). At least none that I recall. I could have been looking in the wrong place. I hated everything about being a teenager—reading was my form of escapism, and the last thing I wanted to do was jump into the life of another angst-filled teen—instead I pretended I was an adult, freed from pubescent hell. So I don't know if I would have been drawn to read Rita Aren's debut YA novel The Obvious Game as a teen.
But I should have.
None of my close friends struggled with eating disorders...none that I noticed. I never caught any Heathers-esque barf fests in the bathroom after lunch or saw any of my friends wither into slight shadows of themselves. But considering estimates that millions of teens battle E.D.s, I'm sure some of my friends and classmates silently suffered. They just hid it well. And I didn't look. I didn't see. This book will open some eyes, and hopefully let some teens hiding in plain sight be seen.
I found the thought process, the reasoning behind the spiral into Diana's disorder fascinating and terrifying at the same time. While I kept rooting for Diana to stop, just slow down, just eat for Christ's sake, I could see how somehow the destructive behavior made sense to her. And how it became too powerful for her to control, and engulfed her. This sensitive portrayal of her struggle was obviously written with great care, and by someone with firsthand knowledge.
The characters seemed like people I could know. I wanted to be friends with Diana, call her up so she could vent, hang out with her and give her a shoulder to lean on. I liked her father and his mix of awkwardness, love, and quiet strength. I would have loved to have found a Jesse, an attractive, slightly more worldly guy from a big town, who had experienced loss as well. We've all had an Amanda, a friend who's beautiful and popular and everything we wanted to be on the outside, yet was often ugly and cruel on the inside. And Diana, like many of us, chased after her version of pretty-girl perfection anyway.Thankfully she has a great guy friend—you know, the type with no attraction strings attached.
I enjoyed how the story was set in a somewhat simpler time—before sexting and cyberbullying—which allowed Rita to include chapter song titles from my own youth (The Obvious Game playlist). Pretty awesome.
The Obvious Game is raw, real, yet filled with humor and hope.
February 28, 2013
The Good Stuff
This one was a real challenge for me to read as it is way too close and personal. It's funny how I can speak so openly about wanting to kill myself while suffering with post partum depression but the thought about even discussing this makes me break out in sweats. This girl was almost me and it hurt to read about those same emotions I had and all the stupid shit I used to do to my body. I was very lucky that it never got this far, but I won't lie, it was very close. Even to this day, I am a healthy slimish girl, but will always see my self as the fat girl I used to be
Heartfelt, honest and realistic
Nice uses of humour at just the right moments
nice mentions of faith without being too preachy
Realistic scenes of teenage life
For anyone who has ever suffered from this type of disorder you will understand how true to life this tale is (For example I also cut up all the pictures of me when I was overweight)
hopeful message
Parents are realistic and damaged but never hurtful or stupid like in many YA novels
This isn't your preachy issue book like some of the stuff I read back in high school but a raw and honest account of all the emotions and actions of someone who is suffering. No tied up neatly after school special type of story
The Not So Good Stuff
There are some spots were it jumps around and is disjointed. Hard to explain this late at night but there were a couple of spots were I had to go back a couple of pages to reread and make sure I hadn't missed something (but take this with a grain of salt -- I am a speed reader and this happens quite frequently to me)
Man if Amanda was my friend I would slap that self involved narcissistic girl right across the face
Very raw at times that I felt myself tearing up and wanting to hug the old teenage me
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"Plus, people don't really notice when you're doing half the time anyway. They're too busy worrying about themselves."
"The first cut felt smooth, the blades slicing through gleaming photo paper, just the right amount of resistance. I took quite a bit off my butt and thighs, slightly less around my calves. My breathing slowed as I worked, as though my transformation were already happening."
"Everyone trusted me. Good old dependable Diana. Which was why most people didn't notice at first that I was in trouble."
Who Should/Shouldn't Read
All mothers of girls so maybe you can truly understand some of the signs
Any tween or teen
Those who have suffered or suffering from an eating disorder - a good reminder that you are not alone and it will get better
A must have for every junior high, high school and public library
4.5 Dewey's
I received this from Rita Arens in exchange for an honest review
This one was a real challenge for me to read as it is way too close and personal. It's funny how I can speak so openly about wanting to kill myself while suffering with post partum depression but the thought about even discussing this makes me break out in sweats. This girl was almost me and it hurt to read about those same emotions I had and all the stupid shit I used to do to my body. I was very lucky that it never got this far, but I won't lie, it was very close. Even to this day, I am a healthy slimish girl, but will always see my self as the fat girl I used to be
Heartfelt, honest and realistic
Nice uses of humour at just the right moments
nice mentions of faith without being too preachy
Realistic scenes of teenage life
For anyone who has ever suffered from this type of disorder you will understand how true to life this tale is (For example I also cut up all the pictures of me when I was overweight)
hopeful message
Parents are realistic and damaged but never hurtful or stupid like in many YA novels
This isn't your preachy issue book like some of the stuff I read back in high school but a raw and honest account of all the emotions and actions of someone who is suffering. No tied up neatly after school special type of story
The Not So Good Stuff
There are some spots were it jumps around and is disjointed. Hard to explain this late at night but there were a couple of spots were I had to go back a couple of pages to reread and make sure I hadn't missed something (but take this with a grain of salt -- I am a speed reader and this happens quite frequently to me)
Man if Amanda was my friend I would slap that self involved narcissistic girl right across the face
Very raw at times that I felt myself tearing up and wanting to hug the old teenage me
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"Plus, people don't really notice when you're doing half the time anyway. They're too busy worrying about themselves."
"The first cut felt smooth, the blades slicing through gleaming photo paper, just the right amount of resistance. I took quite a bit off my butt and thighs, slightly less around my calves. My breathing slowed as I worked, as though my transformation were already happening."
"Everyone trusted me. Good old dependable Diana. Which was why most people didn't notice at first that I was in trouble."
Who Should/Shouldn't Read
All mothers of girls so maybe you can truly understand some of the signs
Any tween or teen
Those who have suffered or suffering from an eating disorder - a good reminder that you are not alone and it will get better
A must have for every junior high, high school and public library
4.5 Dewey's
I received this from Rita Arens in exchange for an honest review
February 7, 2013
I came across a review for The Obvious Game where the blogger (whose name or blog I cannot remember) highlighted a quote from the book. "Fat is not a feeling." That was enough to let me know that I needed to read The Obvious Game. Having just finished it, I must say that this is a book that makes me want to go all-confessional and share my own story rather than offer an official review.
No I am not a fifteen year old like Diana, and no my mother does not have cancer. But when I was fifteen I struggled with weight issues and self-esteem and relationships (friendships and familial) and in so many ways I related to Diana's character. My weight issues weren't anywhere close to being as extreme as what Diana went through, but there were passages of Diana's thoughts where I thought, "Yes - I know that feeling." Sometimes while reading The Obvious Game, I felt like I was reading my own diary from when I was a teenager.
A few weeks ago my mother and I were talking about weight-loss and weight-gain and how it is always something that we've both dealt with throughout our lives. She told me that she remembered a time when I was a teen when she was really worried about me because I wouldn't eat. I had no idea what she was talking about because I didn't remember that at all. I remembered times when I didn't eat that much and was restrictive, but not times when I would starve myself. I guess like Diana, my self-perception was skewed. I can remember how I thought of myself as fat, not as thin as my friends, and when I look at pictures of that time now, I see that I was too thin. I could have had an extra 10 pounds on my bones.
I knew that reading about weight and eating disorders and self-perception and control would bring up some memories for me and be an emotional read. It is exactly why I seek out books like The Obvious Game which make me consider how I think about my physical self, both then and now.
What I liked about The Obvious Game:
set in 1990 - no cell-phones, no texting, no social media
realistic teenage relationships: Seth - the best friend, Amanda - the frenemy, Jesse - the perfect? boyfriend
present parents - the family is central to the story
small-town Iowa - Homecoming, field parties; create your-own-fun: been there, done that!
What I didn't like as much:
the jump in time-span between the last 2 chapters
I'd like to thank the blogger who highlighted "Fat is not a feeling" - without that acknowledgment, who knows if I ever would have found this book. And I'd like to thank Rita Arens for giving us Diana and sharing her experience which, I'm sure, many readers will be able to identify with.
Would I recommend The Obvious Game? Yes. Obviously.
No I am not a fifteen year old like Diana, and no my mother does not have cancer. But when I was fifteen I struggled with weight issues and self-esteem and relationships (friendships and familial) and in so many ways I related to Diana's character. My weight issues weren't anywhere close to being as extreme as what Diana went through, but there were passages of Diana's thoughts where I thought, "Yes - I know that feeling." Sometimes while reading The Obvious Game, I felt like I was reading my own diary from when I was a teenager.
A few weeks ago my mother and I were talking about weight-loss and weight-gain and how it is always something that we've both dealt with throughout our lives. She told me that she remembered a time when I was a teen when she was really worried about me because I wouldn't eat. I had no idea what she was talking about because I didn't remember that at all. I remembered times when I didn't eat that much and was restrictive, but not times when I would starve myself. I guess like Diana, my self-perception was skewed. I can remember how I thought of myself as fat, not as thin as my friends, and when I look at pictures of that time now, I see that I was too thin. I could have had an extra 10 pounds on my bones.
I knew that reading about weight and eating disorders and self-perception and control would bring up some memories for me and be an emotional read. It is exactly why I seek out books like The Obvious Game which make me consider how I think about my physical self, both then and now.
What I liked about The Obvious Game:
set in 1990 - no cell-phones, no texting, no social media
realistic teenage relationships: Seth - the best friend, Amanda - the frenemy, Jesse - the perfect? boyfriend
present parents - the family is central to the story
small-town Iowa - Homecoming, field parties; create your-own-fun: been there, done that!
What I didn't like as much:
the jump in time-span between the last 2 chapters
I'd like to thank the blogger who highlighted "Fat is not a feeling" - without that acknowledgment, who knows if I ever would have found this book. And I'd like to thank Rita Arens for giving us Diana and sharing her experience which, I'm sure, many readers will be able to identify with.
Would I recommend The Obvious Game? Yes. Obviously.
March 5, 2013
Diana has a lot on her mind. Her friend is acting weird. Her mom is sick. She is unhappy with the way she looks. She wants things to change for the better but she is frustrated that nothing seems to be under control. Deep down, Diana yearns to do something that makes her feel she can be in control and when she finally sets her goal and forces herself to attain what she wants, she thinks she is finally doing something right, but is she really making her life better with her relentless goal setting?
I like the message offered by the book. Self-loathing is a serious issue. We may have our own opinions about what we like or dislike but when a person loathes herself, it’s almost impossible for her to develop a healthy relationship with the body. It’s not an easy experience for me to watch Diana. She has a beautiful voice but she stops singing because of a remark that she overheard when she was twelve. And while she desperately wants to be somebody special, the way she goes about achieving it is torturous, unloving and unrealistic.
I’m just glad that Diana’s parents and grandparents are there for her when she is at her lowest. Although not every friend is as caring and supportive as I wish them to be, I think it’s a good thing that Diana learns to discern who her real friends are in the process.
Since the setting here is in the late 80s/ early 90s, there are scenes where cassette tapes are played and pay phones are used. I’ve never paid much attention to how many coins are required to make a phone call but reading about it helps me see how much our lives have improved in the last twenty years or so.
Because Arens has personally suffered and recovered from unhealthy eating patterns, the story of Diana feels very real and authentic here. The Obvious Games captures the pain, fear and inner struggle of an adolescent. It’s an honest account of how detrimental negative thoughts can be and how it’s never too late to admit what’s going on and seek help. I enjoyed reading this story and I hope you will too.
--
Originally posted on Leisure Reads.
A copy of the book was provided by publisher for review purposes.
I like the message offered by the book. Self-loathing is a serious issue. We may have our own opinions about what we like or dislike but when a person loathes herself, it’s almost impossible for her to develop a healthy relationship with the body. It’s not an easy experience for me to watch Diana. She has a beautiful voice but she stops singing because of a remark that she overheard when she was twelve. And while she desperately wants to be somebody special, the way she goes about achieving it is torturous, unloving and unrealistic.
I’m just glad that Diana’s parents and grandparents are there for her when she is at her lowest. Although not every friend is as caring and supportive as I wish them to be, I think it’s a good thing that Diana learns to discern who her real friends are in the process.
Since the setting here is in the late 80s/ early 90s, there are scenes where cassette tapes are played and pay phones are used. I’ve never paid much attention to how many coins are required to make a phone call but reading about it helps me see how much our lives have improved in the last twenty years or so.
Because Arens has personally suffered and recovered from unhealthy eating patterns, the story of Diana feels very real and authentic here. The Obvious Games captures the pain, fear and inner struggle of an adolescent. It’s an honest account of how detrimental negative thoughts can be and how it’s never too late to admit what’s going on and seek help. I enjoyed reading this story and I hope you will too.
--
Originally posted on Leisure Reads.
A copy of the book was provided by publisher for review purposes.
June 13, 2013
Capturing the angst of teen years
Rita Arens has not only written a credible, terse novel in THE OBVIOUS GAME, but she has also offered some explanations (if not downright counseling) for teens and parents facing exceptional challenges. Not that simply making it through the teenage years is a bit of a struggle, but couple that complex time when teens are facing burgeoning sexuality, the temptation of drugs, sociopathic behavior and the new hurdle of gaining financial support to make the decision to proceed to college - or not. It is a tough period in life and add to that challenge body dysmorphia, the challenge of facing the ogre of impending death as it affects a parent, and the challenge of wondering whether you will ever discover love - real love, not just physical gratification - is enough to deter progress of finding meaning in life for any teenager.
Arens creates an `Everyman' setting by placing her novel in 1990 Iowa - smack dab in the middle of the pool of like-minded teenagers. Diana is overweight and knows it, or at least perceives that her body image is one that will not bring happiness: she covets the attention of Jesse, an athlete with a perfect body form. Couple this with her mother's struggle in her battle with cancer, her feeling of betrayal among her girl friends, and her growing preoccupation with her larger than wanted body image. Diana copes by drifting toward anorexia nervosa and it is here (among many other places) that Arens is particularly successful in honing in on the very private issues faced by young people in this age group. She addresses as many of the issues of that period in time before the Internet wiped out privacy with instant graphic communication, and in doing so she is able to focus on more than superficial tweets and allow us into the psyches of her characters.
THE OBVIOUS GAME is well named, and it is up to the individual reader to take the journey to that discovery by reading this very finely composed, thoughtful novel.
Grady Harp
Rita Arens has not only written a credible, terse novel in THE OBVIOUS GAME, but she has also offered some explanations (if not downright counseling) for teens and parents facing exceptional challenges. Not that simply making it through the teenage years is a bit of a struggle, but couple that complex time when teens are facing burgeoning sexuality, the temptation of drugs, sociopathic behavior and the new hurdle of gaining financial support to make the decision to proceed to college - or not. It is a tough period in life and add to that challenge body dysmorphia, the challenge of facing the ogre of impending death as it affects a parent, and the challenge of wondering whether you will ever discover love - real love, not just physical gratification - is enough to deter progress of finding meaning in life for any teenager.
Arens creates an `Everyman' setting by placing her novel in 1990 Iowa - smack dab in the middle of the pool of like-minded teenagers. Diana is overweight and knows it, or at least perceives that her body image is one that will not bring happiness: she covets the attention of Jesse, an athlete with a perfect body form. Couple this with her mother's struggle in her battle with cancer, her feeling of betrayal among her girl friends, and her growing preoccupation with her larger than wanted body image. Diana copes by drifting toward anorexia nervosa and it is here (among many other places) that Arens is particularly successful in honing in on the very private issues faced by young people in this age group. She addresses as many of the issues of that period in time before the Internet wiped out privacy with instant graphic communication, and in doing so she is able to focus on more than superficial tweets and allow us into the psyches of her characters.
THE OBVIOUS GAME is well named, and it is up to the individual reader to take the journey to that discovery by reading this very finely composed, thoughtful novel.
Grady Harp
May 8, 2013
I love the premise of The Obvious Game. The game itself---pointing out obvious things as a game---was an interesting concept to me, and the reason why I accepted The Obvious Game for review. I had no idea that this book would affect me the way it did. I absolutely loved it! I was expecting your typical YA contemporary fiction, maybe with some high-school drama, so I was unprepared to read such an emotional, well-written story.
Diana grew up overweight and has the resultant body- and self-image issues after years of being teased about her size. She begins dieting without really making a conscious decision to do so. Diana's mother has cancer, and Diana can't handle the stress her mother's illness is placing on everyone in the family, not to mention the fear of losing her mother.
Diana meets Jesse, the new kid in town, and they have an instant connection. She starts running the bleachers while Jesse is in wrestling practice, and quickly begins losing a tremendous amount of weight. Diana's eating habits coincide well with Jesse's, as he struggles to keep his weight down for wrestling, to stay in the lower weight class. They both avoid eating, or when they do eat, eat very low-calorie foods. Diana's weight loss spirals out of control, and she feels like she is hiding it well, but she's not.
I loved that The Obvious Game was set in the 1990's as it really took me back to my own teenage years. It was easy to picture myself as Diana, even though I've never been in her situation. I loved the conflict resolution Arens employed. It was realistic and very believable. I admired that Arens used therapy to heal Diana instead of the change happening magically.
But my favorite part of The Obvious Game was the ending. It was just perfect! I won't say any more about it, so I don't spoil it for you, but the character growth and change was so satisfying. I loved The Obvious Game and would most definitely read Rita Arens again!
Diana grew up overweight and has the resultant body- and self-image issues after years of being teased about her size. She begins dieting without really making a conscious decision to do so. Diana's mother has cancer, and Diana can't handle the stress her mother's illness is placing on everyone in the family, not to mention the fear of losing her mother.
Diana meets Jesse, the new kid in town, and they have an instant connection. She starts running the bleachers while Jesse is in wrestling practice, and quickly begins losing a tremendous amount of weight. Diana's eating habits coincide well with Jesse's, as he struggles to keep his weight down for wrestling, to stay in the lower weight class. They both avoid eating, or when they do eat, eat very low-calorie foods. Diana's weight loss spirals out of control, and she feels like she is hiding it well, but she's not.
I loved that The Obvious Game was set in the 1990's as it really took me back to my own teenage years. It was easy to picture myself as Diana, even though I've never been in her situation. I loved the conflict resolution Arens employed. It was realistic and very believable. I admired that Arens used therapy to heal Diana instead of the change happening magically.
But my favorite part of The Obvious Game was the ending. It was just perfect! I won't say any more about it, so I don't spoil it for you, but the character growth and change was so satisfying. I loved The Obvious Game and would most definitely read Rita Arens again!
December 27, 2012
This review first appeared on Books i View.
The Obvious Game is the story of a young girl living whose world is turned upside down when her mother is diagnosed with cancer. Even though she has a great support system through family and friends the pressure of life gets to her and she starts to develop an eating disorder.
I liked how the author decided to approach this delicate subject. You could tell that she knew what she was talking about especially through the teenage viewpoint of things. Diana’s eating disorder didn’t happen in an instant or overnight. It started slow at first, I’m sure Diana wasn’t even aware of what was beginning.
Another thing I have to praise Arens on is how she developed the relationships Diana has. I absolutely love the fact that for once in YA fiction that the main protagonist who is girl has best friend who is a boy with no type of attraction other than friendship. That’s a rare gem in YA fiction.
I know we all wish that we could have/had a Jesse and Lin. They are great supportive characters which I’m sure you all will fall in love with! One character you won’t like so much is Amanda. She’s supposedly Diana’s “best friend” while she’s actually a mean girl in disguise. Let’s hope none you guys have one of those!
I liked reading The Obvious Game, it’s such an eye opener on eating disorders. By reading this you might learn a thing or two about how people who suffer with this see things, how they hide it and how you can help. This is a great reading choice if you’re a tween or teenaged girl or is the mother of one. I definitely recommend reading The Obvious Game!
The Obvious Game is the story of a young girl living whose world is turned upside down when her mother is diagnosed with cancer. Even though she has a great support system through family and friends the pressure of life gets to her and she starts to develop an eating disorder.
I liked how the author decided to approach this delicate subject. You could tell that she knew what she was talking about especially through the teenage viewpoint of things. Diana’s eating disorder didn’t happen in an instant or overnight. It started slow at first, I’m sure Diana wasn’t even aware of what was beginning.
Another thing I have to praise Arens on is how she developed the relationships Diana has. I absolutely love the fact that for once in YA fiction that the main protagonist who is girl has best friend who is a boy with no type of attraction other than friendship. That’s a rare gem in YA fiction.
I know we all wish that we could have/had a Jesse and Lin. They are great supportive characters which I’m sure you all will fall in love with! One character you won’t like so much is Amanda. She’s supposedly Diana’s “best friend” while she’s actually a mean girl in disguise. Let’s hope none you guys have one of those!
I liked reading The Obvious Game, it’s such an eye opener on eating disorders. By reading this you might learn a thing or two about how people who suffer with this see things, how they hide it and how you can help. This is a great reading choice if you’re a tween or teenaged girl or is the mother of one. I definitely recommend reading The Obvious Game!
March 1, 2013
My rating: 4/5 stars
Remember to stop by my blog!
May contain some spoilers
I know the synopsis doesn't really reveal anything, just gives a little hint. So, if you didn't already guess, Diana has an eating disorder. Well, there's only some small signs in the beginning but after all the problems keep piling up (her mother has cancer, her best friend is a total b*tch, things get tough with boyfriend..), things get worse. Really, her eating is all she has control over in the chaos called "life".
So, definitely not a happy read! And I wasn't expecting anything over the moon- happy, yet I was still surprised about how sad this book was. It's sad and angry, but oh so real and wonderful.
Diana was a lovable main character I could easily relate to and I was definitely on her side the whole time, even when you knew her actions didn't make any sense.
I mean, there's actually no sense at all, except in her own mind. She's drinking, having sex, doesn't eat, or when she eats, she throws up.. Her life is a mess, yet that sounds so familiar, cause when I was a teenager, that's how messed up everyone was.
The author did an amazing job with this book, and you could tell she knows what she's talking about. And even though this book talks about eating disorder and cancer, it's surprisingly fun book. There was laughter and tears, but in the end, I was feeling.. hopeful. I'm confident Diana will be fine and will have a happy life. And yes, I know she's a fictional character.
Love,
Monaliz @ Mind Reading?
Remember to stop by my blog!
May contain some spoilers
I know the synopsis doesn't really reveal anything, just gives a little hint. So, if you didn't already guess, Diana has an eating disorder. Well, there's only some small signs in the beginning but after all the problems keep piling up (her mother has cancer, her best friend is a total b*tch, things get tough with boyfriend..), things get worse. Really, her eating is all she has control over in the chaos called "life".
So, definitely not a happy read! And I wasn't expecting anything over the moon- happy, yet I was still surprised about how sad this book was. It's sad and angry, but oh so real and wonderful.
Diana was a lovable main character I could easily relate to and I was definitely on her side the whole time, even when you knew her actions didn't make any sense.
I mean, there's actually no sense at all, except in her own mind. She's drinking, having sex, doesn't eat, or when she eats, she throws up.. Her life is a mess, yet that sounds so familiar, cause when I was a teenager, that's how messed up everyone was.
The author did an amazing job with this book, and you could tell she knows what she's talking about. And even though this book talks about eating disorder and cancer, it's surprisingly fun book. There was laughter and tears, but in the end, I was feeling.. hopeful. I'm confident Diana will be fine and will have a happy life. And yes, I know she's a fictional character.
Love,
Monaliz @ Mind Reading?
November 1, 2013
If I had one word to describe this book it would be “painful.” The writing is so good that you feel the pain of Diana.
This is a book that I thought about long after I finished reading. It was so emotionally draining for me because one of my own friends suffered from an eating disorder while we were growing up. Diana’s character is so incredibly relatable and such a true depiction of teenage angst that it should be read by all! I was so completely emotionally invested in her story and the story of her family, that it was a definite emotional roller coaster. The author is able to make you feel Diana’s pain.
Diana uses her eating disorder as way to control her life. However, this isn’t because she wants to be the prettiest or the most popular, it’s her way of coping with her family problems. The book begins at a time where she doesn’t have an eating disorder and you are able to see how it to develops. I thought this was a very interesting aspect to the book. Most books that I have read that have a character with an eating disorder begins in the middle of the battle. Another striking aspect of this book is that Diana has a sick sort of sense of humor about her eating disorder. It helps to show you in the mind a person who is suffering from an eating disorder. What a SCARY place!
I would recommend this book to all readers. It gives you a rare look inside the mind of this disease. There is some romance in the story but it does not overshadow the plot it only deepens the story!!!
Link to review: http://thepassionatebookworms.com/the...
This is a book that I thought about long after I finished reading. It was so emotionally draining for me because one of my own friends suffered from an eating disorder while we were growing up. Diana’s character is so incredibly relatable and such a true depiction of teenage angst that it should be read by all! I was so completely emotionally invested in her story and the story of her family, that it was a definite emotional roller coaster. The author is able to make you feel Diana’s pain.
Diana uses her eating disorder as way to control her life. However, this isn’t because she wants to be the prettiest or the most popular, it’s her way of coping with her family problems. The book begins at a time where she doesn’t have an eating disorder and you are able to see how it to develops. I thought this was a very interesting aspect to the book. Most books that I have read that have a character with an eating disorder begins in the middle of the battle. Another striking aspect of this book is that Diana has a sick sort of sense of humor about her eating disorder. It helps to show you in the mind a person who is suffering from an eating disorder. What a SCARY place!
I would recommend this book to all readers. It gives you a rare look inside the mind of this disease. There is some romance in the story but it does not overshadow the plot it only deepens the story!!!
Link to review: http://thepassionatebookworms.com/the...
January 10, 2014
When Diana accidentally starts teaching the new kid, Jesse, how to play the obvious game, she doesn’t realise that their relationship will strengthen until the secrets that she is so determined to keep hidden prevent her from realising she is not the only one hiding.
Rita Arens is not afraid to confront big topics and issues that are prevalent in today’s society. At the beginning of The Obvious Game we learn that Diana’s mother is recovering from breast cancer. It is easy to not notice all the other issues in Diana’s life because of this, but the beauty of this novel is that it encaptures how a situation is never fully created from one issue.
While this book has a lot of hard-hitting topics, including eating disorders, I didn’t find the style preachy or in any way openly commenting on them. Instead, the novel is simply a snap-shot of what life can be like for those struggling with similar issues. I personally loved this as it allowed me to fall into the world of Diana and, as it is told through her point of view, understand her decisions while feeling incapable of changing them, as the others in the book are.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants a slice of reality while retaining the light side of the struggles. I think anyone trying to understand eating disorders especially should pick this book up.
The only thing I didn’t love was the ending, as it felt a little too neat and tidy for a book based in reality as this one is. However, I am certainly looking forward to reading more by Arens.
[Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
Rita Arens is not afraid to confront big topics and issues that are prevalent in today’s society. At the beginning of The Obvious Game we learn that Diana’s mother is recovering from breast cancer. It is easy to not notice all the other issues in Diana’s life because of this, but the beauty of this novel is that it encaptures how a situation is never fully created from one issue.
While this book has a lot of hard-hitting topics, including eating disorders, I didn’t find the style preachy or in any way openly commenting on them. Instead, the novel is simply a snap-shot of what life can be like for those struggling with similar issues. I personally loved this as it allowed me to fall into the world of Diana and, as it is told through her point of view, understand her decisions while feeling incapable of changing them, as the others in the book are.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants a slice of reality while retaining the light side of the struggles. I think anyone trying to understand eating disorders especially should pick this book up.
The only thing I didn’t love was the ending, as it felt a little too neat and tidy for a book based in reality as this one is. However, I am certainly looking forward to reading more by Arens.
[Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
December 4, 2014
Between her mother’s life-threatening illness, first love, and unraveling friendships, Diana has had enough. She wants control, and she’ll take it however she can.
It starts out harmlessly enough. Lose a few pounds here and there. Nothing wrong with wanting to be healthy, right? After all, the wrestling coach is encouraging her boyfriend to do the same thing so he can keep his standing on the team. Quickly, though, a few pounds become a lot of pounds. She barely eats. She exercises obsessively. She counts her ribs and wraps her fingers around her thighs. She’s disappearing, ounce by ounce, but she’s in charge.
She’s also in danger.
As she bends her body to the breaking point, her social life and family life start to feel the strain too. Diana loves Jesse, her first real boyfriend, but he is growing increasingly uncomfortable with her new look. She is able to reconnect with her best friend Amanda, but only by binge drinking and risky stunts. She tries to be a good daughter, but her mother still isn’t getting better. Worst of all, people are noticing how skinny she has become, and people are starting to talk.
With a raw and compelling voice, Rita Arens realistically draws mature readers into the maddening world of eating disorders. Diana is an “everyman” character who is easy to relate to and easy to like, and her descent into anorexia is an important—and ultimately hopeful—cautionary tale.
310 pages Ages 14 and up
Read alike: Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
This review was originally posted at A Book and a Hug.
It starts out harmlessly enough. Lose a few pounds here and there. Nothing wrong with wanting to be healthy, right? After all, the wrestling coach is encouraging her boyfriend to do the same thing so he can keep his standing on the team. Quickly, though, a few pounds become a lot of pounds. She barely eats. She exercises obsessively. She counts her ribs and wraps her fingers around her thighs. She’s disappearing, ounce by ounce, but she’s in charge.
She’s also in danger.
As she bends her body to the breaking point, her social life and family life start to feel the strain too. Diana loves Jesse, her first real boyfriend, but he is growing increasingly uncomfortable with her new look. She is able to reconnect with her best friend Amanda, but only by binge drinking and risky stunts. She tries to be a good daughter, but her mother still isn’t getting better. Worst of all, people are noticing how skinny she has become, and people are starting to talk.
With a raw and compelling voice, Rita Arens realistically draws mature readers into the maddening world of eating disorders. Diana is an “everyman” character who is easy to relate to and easy to like, and her descent into anorexia is an important—and ultimately hopeful—cautionary tale.
310 pages Ages 14 and up
Read alike: Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
This review was originally posted at A Book and a Hug.
May 19, 2015
Rita Arens’ debut novel, "The Obvious Game", is a well-written poignant coming of age tale. I was so moved after this book I couldn't read anything else that day.
Arens crafted a memorable story about one teen’s overwhelming struggle. Diana should have been the average high school sophomore dealing with popularity issues, getting good grades and having crushes. Instead, she was challenged with a mom battling cancer, a boy magnet best friend and a few extra pounds on her body.
"The Obvious Game" masterfully addressed the issue of body image. It is common knowledge that many people struggle with real weight issues daily. And, unfortunately, teens suffer the most. They are busy trying to figure out who they are in the world and then someone makes the comment that they look “pudgy” or a particular guy likes girls with a certain body type. Poor Diana got caught on this horrible roller coaster.
Arens did a fantastic job with character development. I got a vivid picture and understanding of each person in "The Obvious Game". I felt their pain, their struggles and their sorrow. It’s been a long time since I read a book that just had me wrung out. Diana’s story stayed with me for a couple of days. It was so real that it hurt.
Fortunately, there was a happily ever after for Diana. I cheered her progress. Arens’ "The Obvious Game" should be a must read for any one in high school. And, if you just want a good, heart felt story, add it to your to read list. You won’t be disappointed.
Arens crafted a memorable story about one teen’s overwhelming struggle. Diana should have been the average high school sophomore dealing with popularity issues, getting good grades and having crushes. Instead, she was challenged with a mom battling cancer, a boy magnet best friend and a few extra pounds on her body.
"The Obvious Game" masterfully addressed the issue of body image. It is common knowledge that many people struggle with real weight issues daily. And, unfortunately, teens suffer the most. They are busy trying to figure out who they are in the world and then someone makes the comment that they look “pudgy” or a particular guy likes girls with a certain body type. Poor Diana got caught on this horrible roller coaster.
Arens did a fantastic job with character development. I got a vivid picture and understanding of each person in "The Obvious Game". I felt their pain, their struggles and their sorrow. It’s been a long time since I read a book that just had me wrung out. Diana’s story stayed with me for a couple of days. It was so real that it hurt.
Fortunately, there was a happily ever after for Diana. I cheered her progress. Arens’ "The Obvious Game" should be a must read for any one in high school. And, if you just want a good, heart felt story, add it to your to read list. You won’t be disappointed.
February 6, 2013
I couldn't wait to read The Obvious Game. As a mother who's always fought against body image issues, I feel compelled to learn more about girls and their self esteem and how someone goes from wondering why the rules are different for them to redefining the rules all together.
Like so many girls, Diana goes to high school each day feeling a little prickly and wraps herself in her own inadequacies. Her mother is undergoing cancer treatment, her best friend is exerting her pretty-girl power and Diana wonders how Jesse can possibly be interested in someone carrying a few extra pounds — ignoring the emotional baggage that's actually insulating her from the world.
A conversation between Diana and her friend Seth is one of the strongest passages of the book and truly gets to the crux of why some girls and women fall dangerously into a pattern of disordered eating while others just touch the edges of extreme dieting.
Arens' attention to detail make The Obvious Game a wonderful read, from her uncomfortable — but realistic — foray into teen drinking and sexual relationships to her album-named chapters
The Obvious Game is well worth your time. Obviously. (Sorry. Couldn't resist.)
Read the complete review at AngelaAmman.com
Like so many girls, Diana goes to high school each day feeling a little prickly and wraps herself in her own inadequacies. Her mother is undergoing cancer treatment, her best friend is exerting her pretty-girl power and Diana wonders how Jesse can possibly be interested in someone carrying a few extra pounds — ignoring the emotional baggage that's actually insulating her from the world.
A conversation between Diana and her friend Seth is one of the strongest passages of the book and truly gets to the crux of why some girls and women fall dangerously into a pattern of disordered eating while others just touch the edges of extreme dieting.
Arens' attention to detail make The Obvious Game a wonderful read, from her uncomfortable — but realistic — foray into teen drinking and sexual relationships to her album-named chapters
The Obvious Game is well worth your time. Obviously. (Sorry. Couldn't resist.)
Read the complete review at AngelaAmman.com
February 23, 2013
I'm wasn't going to discuss Diana's problem because the book synopsis doesn't but most of the blurbs on the back of the book do reveal it. Diana has an eating disorder (and I wouldn't consider that a spoiler because very early on, the reader starts to get a hint that her relationship with food is complicated at best. But anorexia isn't not her only problem. Her mom also has cancer, and Diana is doing everything she can think of to keep from dealing with that.
And while it would be easy to dismiss this as an "issues book," that would be doing a huge disservice. Rita Arens tackles the subject matter with grace and sensitivity. It also shows just how subtle this problem can be. It's not like Diana goes from "totally fine" to "75 pounds" in a chapter. Diana seems okay until she isn't anymore. It's a slippery slope that she's on and this book does a fantastic job of showing that.
This isn't what I'd consider to be a "fun" book, but it's very compelling. And it's worth the read. (Also, I would like to point out that given the fact that it's about a teenager with anorexia and a mom with cancer, this is much lighter than it could be. There are lots of happy and funny parts, too. So don't avoid this because you think it's going to be depressing. It's not Sophie's Choice.)
And while it would be easy to dismiss this as an "issues book," that would be doing a huge disservice. Rita Arens tackles the subject matter with grace and sensitivity. It also shows just how subtle this problem can be. It's not like Diana goes from "totally fine" to "75 pounds" in a chapter. Diana seems okay until she isn't anymore. It's a slippery slope that she's on and this book does a fantastic job of showing that.
This isn't what I'd consider to be a "fun" book, but it's very compelling. And it's worth the read. (Also, I would like to point out that given the fact that it's about a teenager with anorexia and a mom with cancer, this is much lighter than it could be. There are lots of happy and funny parts, too. So don't avoid this because you think it's going to be depressing. It's not Sophie's Choice.)
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