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Raw: The diary of an anorexic
Lydia was 19 years old and enjoying university with a loving family and great friends when she became anorexic. The doctors told her that she would die. This is Lydia’s account of what anorexia did to her, how it changed her and how it impacted on her family, friends and all her choices in life. Her story is told through letters and blogs that Lydia wrote at the best and worst of times, notes from her parent s and friends desperately trying to find a way through to her and doctors notes with the horrific exacting details. Lydia is now 23 and ‘recovering’. She strongly believes that recovery is possible, and feels she is almost there. She wrote her book to explain her deepest thoughts and to explain the painful mental torture that she endured and overcame. And she wrote it in the hope that others suffering would relate to it, and that other families watching their loved ones will be touched and understand more deeply how an eating disorder really feels.
149 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
77 people are currently reading
254 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 1, 2020
This was an awful read. I DNF’d this book I got frustrated and bored. As someone who has been in recovery for years, I’ve read many of these books I think due to morbid fascination and validation.
This book is triggering, the writer hasn’t even tried to not make it triggering by not using specific measurements (I.e height, weight, BMI) and being very explicit with what she did. I found the letters to her parents hard to believe, I couldn’t imagine ever writing a letter to my mum saying “I’m sorry I’m fat and ugly” even though I thought similar things.
It’s very repetitive, she doesn’t seem to improve at all. There was no reflection from current her about her past behaviour. Just a lot of oh so sad I was fat and ugly at this ridiculously low weight and became an alcoholic, drove drunk and crashed the car had a life epiphany and then continued to not improve.
This is a short book and I couldn’t finish it because she wasn’t likeable or relatable. She didn’t turn this life experience into a teaching moment for other sufferers. It all just comes across as glorifying how ill she was and having a very competitive ED mindset but... with literally the whole world? It comes across as a ‘how to be anorexic’ guide. This just ain’t it sis.
Also half of this she didn’t even write, it’s doctors letters that also repeat themselves. There were some good lines early on in the book but this is a pile of shit tbh.
This is literally a book congratulating herself for being sick and problematic.
This book is triggering, the writer hasn’t even tried to not make it triggering by not using specific measurements (I.e height, weight, BMI) and being very explicit with what she did. I found the letters to her parents hard to believe, I couldn’t imagine ever writing a letter to my mum saying “I’m sorry I’m fat and ugly” even though I thought similar things.
It’s very repetitive, she doesn’t seem to improve at all. There was no reflection from current her about her past behaviour. Just a lot of oh so sad I was fat and ugly at this ridiculously low weight and became an alcoholic, drove drunk and crashed the car had a life epiphany and then continued to not improve.
This is a short book and I couldn’t finish it because she wasn’t likeable or relatable. She didn’t turn this life experience into a teaching moment for other sufferers. It all just comes across as glorifying how ill she was and having a very competitive ED mindset but... with literally the whole world? It comes across as a ‘how to be anorexic’ guide. This just ain’t it sis.
Also half of this she didn’t even write, it’s doctors letters that also repeat themselves. There were some good lines early on in the book but this is a pile of shit tbh.
This is literally a book congratulating herself for being sick and problematic.
April 3, 2016
This is one of many many ED memoirs.
If you are looking for insight into the condition: don't read it. It's far too confusing, all over the place and just doesn't make for much sense. Also, it is one individual's experience.
If you are a sufferer looking for help: don't read it. It's basically a soap box that Lydia gets on to proclaim how ill she was/is. You all know the kind of book. The ones you read secretly in 'recovery' status, but are actually complete triggers/instruction manuals the whole way through. There is 90% of the book devoted to her illness, and then vaguely the last 10% about how cathartic writing it was. It's not about recovery.
If you are looking for a good story/something well written: don't read it. It's badly written, the structure (which could have been interesting) doesn't work, and the story arc doesn't work.
Sorry, Lydia Davies, but books like this shouldn't be published. They're just used as books for the young generation of girls susceptible to this illness as how to manuals.
If you are looking for insight into the condition: don't read it. It's far too confusing, all over the place and just doesn't make for much sense. Also, it is one individual's experience.
If you are a sufferer looking for help: don't read it. It's basically a soap box that Lydia gets on to proclaim how ill she was/is. You all know the kind of book. The ones you read secretly in 'recovery' status, but are actually complete triggers/instruction manuals the whole way through. There is 90% of the book devoted to her illness, and then vaguely the last 10% about how cathartic writing it was. It's not about recovery.
If you are looking for a good story/something well written: don't read it. It's badly written, the structure (which could have been interesting) doesn't work, and the story arc doesn't work.
Sorry, Lydia Davies, but books like this shouldn't be published. They're just used as books for the young generation of girls susceptible to this illness as how to manuals.
November 26, 2016
I thought this was the worst book of someone who has a eating disorder ever wrote. I wasted my time reading this and I don't know why I even finished it. I had anorexia and bulimia and compulsive eating behavior in different stages but found it difficult to relate to the story. I have never seen such a disjointed writing as this one. I feel sad for her and I feel bad about her family. If I ever thought of writing to my parents or relatives or friends like she did I would of had to hide. Well enough putting her book down but I am honest these days. I would not recommend this book to anyone to read. I found it very discouraging and
not sure about what good I can say. I do pray she or the writer would find Jesus as Lord because it saved my life and I couldn't of made it through my life if I didn't find Him. Sorry so hard on what I wrote.
not sure about what good I can say. I do pray she or the writer would find Jesus as Lord because it saved my life and I couldn't of made it through my life if I didn't find Him. Sorry so hard on what I wrote.
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December 13, 2020Don’t like rating real life stories as it basically rating what they have gone through and there life
I must say though if you are currently in the depths of an eating disorder DO NOT read this book. Major triggers.
I must say though if you are currently in the depths of an eating disorder DO NOT read this book. Major triggers.
February 2, 2025
She should of been sectioned she was a danger to self and others
April 23, 2022
No structure at all.
Also, Lydia is ill the entire book and then there's an epilogue and she's better... with no in-between.
Also, Lydia is ill the entire book and then there's an epilogue and she's better... with no in-between.
September 1, 2016
"The road to recovery is time consuming, difficult and exhausting. It is a dull process in comparison to the excitement and thrill that the opposite route I was previously endeavouring to take gave me."
I was so disappointed with this book. It had the potential to be really great but unfortunately it was just boring.
There were little moments of this book where it shined.
"I felt like I had nowhere to go, no one to talk to and nothing to say anyway." Because some sentences hit home. For anybody who has struggled with depression or an eating disorder, some quotes hit the nail on the head.
I feel like Davies fell short with this one. I wouldn't rush to read another book by her of I was going to read another at all.
I was so disappointed with this book. It had the potential to be really great but unfortunately it was just boring.
There were little moments of this book where it shined.
"I felt like I had nowhere to go, no one to talk to and nothing to say anyway." Because some sentences hit home. For anybody who has struggled with depression or an eating disorder, some quotes hit the nail on the head.
I feel like Davies fell short with this one. I wouldn't rush to read another book by her of I was going to read another at all.
August 5, 2015
The only reason I say 4 stars instead of 5 is because it wasn't a story, so it was boring to me at times. But the truth behind the authors words was terrifyingly beautiful. The was she wrote this to show what it's really like to be trapped by this illness is amazing. I haven't read anything like it. She put a lot of my emotions into words when I couldn't.
September 19, 2015
Uninspired
Reading this was a complete waste of thirty minutes. It seems like it was 90% letters to her parents, and 10% depressing blog posts that made no sense.
Reading this was a complete waste of thirty minutes. It seems like it was 90% letters to her parents, and 10% depressing blog posts that made no sense.
May 28, 2020
Trigger Warning- ED, Builimia, Anorexia, Suicide
As someone who struggles with binge eating and has recovered from bulimia, I can understand how Lydia felt on several occasions. I am a big believer in sharing struggles, being honest about your past, speaking your mind and encouraging recovery. But I do not condone calling anorexia or any eating disorder a disease. It is a mental illness. The first step to recovery us acknowledging that YOU have the power to change. Calling it a disease will give your mind leeway to sidestep recovery and make excuses. It is not a disease, it is a mental illness that YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE. Also, saying an eating disorder is not the disordered eater's fault is problematic. That will keep a person from recovering. Taking responsibility is the first step to recovery.
I also dislike some of the letters she included, calling herself fat and making her parents feel like it's their fault, telling them how she's sorry she was ever born and saying that they don't understand her and that they don't really love her and truly hate her. I know she was in a bad place, I have been there as well, but adding the letters to this book was crossing the line. Very triggering and it enraged me to see her condone that behavior due to her "disaese" (mental illness).
All in all, I wish nothing but recovery and happiness for Lydia. It wasn't easy for me but it was worth it.
As someone who struggles with binge eating and has recovered from bulimia, I can understand how Lydia felt on several occasions. I am a big believer in sharing struggles, being honest about your past, speaking your mind and encouraging recovery. But I do not condone calling anorexia or any eating disorder a disease. It is a mental illness. The first step to recovery us acknowledging that YOU have the power to change. Calling it a disease will give your mind leeway to sidestep recovery and make excuses. It is not a disease, it is a mental illness that YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE. Also, saying an eating disorder is not the disordered eater's fault is problematic. That will keep a person from recovering. Taking responsibility is the first step to recovery.
I also dislike some of the letters she included, calling herself fat and making her parents feel like it's their fault, telling them how she's sorry she was ever born and saying that they don't understand her and that they don't really love her and truly hate her. I know she was in a bad place, I have been there as well, but adding the letters to this book was crossing the line. Very triggering and it enraged me to see her condone that behavior due to her "disaese" (mental illness).
All in all, I wish nothing but recovery and happiness for Lydia. It wasn't easy for me but it was worth it.
February 9, 2023
I would’ve given this half a star or no stars if i could. The book is a jumble of content from various sources with little plot or narrative structure. it’s one of the classic self indulgent ED memoirs, primarily devoted to recounting how thin and ill she became, and very little devoted to recovery. At the end, the author claims to be recovered and happy, but we don’t see that develop at all, only the evolution of her illness. I hope she actually is recovered and well and moving on from this period in her life
Well in retrospect this is a little harsh, her words about not knowing who she is, what she loves, and what she will become ring true especially when your identity feels lost to an illness. I just wish the story was told in a way that gave more insight into the journey she went through to regain herself and her life and less about mourning the loss of it all
Well in retrospect this is a little harsh, her words about not knowing who she is, what she loves, and what she will become ring true especially when your identity feels lost to an illness. I just wish the story was told in a way that gave more insight into the journey she went through to regain herself and her life and less about mourning the loss of it all
July 7, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
This book is so raw, truthful and heartbreaking 💔
It is a fantastic book for anyone who is supporting someone with an ED as it shows how important people’s support actually is. Although you might feel helpless and like you are not making a difference in that persons life, you are! It is just not always that easy to see that!
This book highlights some really important aspects of EDs, depression, anxiety and mental health in general. It highlights just how much mental illness can impact a persons life and takeaway everything you have in a flash!
The collection of letters, blogs, messages and notes compiled in this book and honest, thought provoking and overall insightful, promoting mental health awareness and the importance of taking that first step and asking for help. Although it is painful and hard, everyone should be give that opportunity of recovery.
This book is so raw, truthful and heartbreaking 💔
It is a fantastic book for anyone who is supporting someone with an ED as it shows how important people’s support actually is. Although you might feel helpless and like you are not making a difference in that persons life, you are! It is just not always that easy to see that!
This book highlights some really important aspects of EDs, depression, anxiety and mental health in general. It highlights just how much mental illness can impact a persons life and takeaway everything you have in a flash!
The collection of letters, blogs, messages and notes compiled in this book and honest, thought provoking and overall insightful, promoting mental health awareness and the importance of taking that first step and asking for help. Although it is painful and hard, everyone should be give that opportunity of recovery.
February 22, 2022
Very sad story. The writing style and "who am I and how can I be better?" concerns of the teenage/early 20s blogger are very relatable. I liked the inclusion of the letters from the various doctors as they gave an interesting third-party perspective into Lydia's illness. I was disappointed that the book just kind of ends. Lydia, according to her blog posts, is in a pretty bad place very close to the end of the book, but then the last chapter is about how she's better now. She says it wasn't easy to recover, but I wanted more detail than that. How did she do it?
April 26, 2024
I completely understand how Lydia feels throughout this book. I think it’s a very raw and unfiltered look into the mind of someone with an eating disorder which is quite powerful, however I also feel disappointed that no progress was made throughout the book. She is poorly for the whole book with a small chapter at the end telling us she is now well. I think the book would have had a more powerful impact if it highlighted her recovery journey as well as what it was like to be in the depths of anorexia. Overall I did enjoy reading the book, but I felt it lacked a lot.
January 24, 2022
Terrible
An awfully written book.
100 word chapters, self loathing, irritating and quite honestly the worst book I've ever read.
Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't read it if I was paid to read it.
It's not factual like previous books I've read on eating disorders and it doesn't give you a proper view on any form of an ED.
It's basically a few ramblings and notes gutted down in a diary over a period of time.
Don't waste your time or money.
Zero stars unfortunately!
An awfully written book.
100 word chapters, self loathing, irritating and quite honestly the worst book I've ever read.
Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't read it if I was paid to read it.
It's not factual like previous books I've read on eating disorders and it doesn't give you a proper view on any form of an ED.
It's basically a few ramblings and notes gutted down in a diary over a period of time.
Don't waste your time or money.
Zero stars unfortunately!
October 14, 2022
Very little framework to hold the blog entries and letters together, and heavily weighted toward the negative - which is somewhat understandable given the authors condition, but makes the ending piece seem to come from nowhere.
That said, many of Lydia's thoughts and observations did touch a certain nerve with me. "I find reality a mystery, a very difficult concept." That feeling of being miles away from (and miles above) others is a familiar one. Oddly nice to see it reflected.
That said, many of Lydia's thoughts and observations did touch a certain nerve with me. "I find reality a mystery, a very difficult concept." That feeling of being miles away from (and miles above) others is a familiar one. Oddly nice to see it reflected.
October 15, 2024
Decluttered my bookcase and found this. So tricky rating this one and feel bad for the writer as has so many bad reviews but unfortunately I agree with them. Everything from the cover image to the language used is a bit yikes. I don't want to shit on her lived experience but I believe this book would do more harm than good for others. It was also a bit chaotic in its writing. Definitely better options out there to read and would never recommend to anyone in an active ED
April 7, 2019
A hard book to read particularly if you have a family member suffering from an ED but always worthwhile to rediscover you are not the only one going through the roller coaster of emotions that comes with ED. So glad it was a positive end for Lydia!
April 25, 2020
I always find it positive when someone wants to share their experience with mental health issues, but I do wish the author could have written more coherently, not using so many letters from friends, blog entries and journal notes.
May 1, 2021
A quick, sad read. I don’t think anyone edited this and it doesn’t really have any narrative structure or flow. The author is open and honest about her struggle with eating disorders. I would have liked to have read about how she was able to achieve her recovery.
April 10, 2022
i wouldn't call it a book, rather a diary (duh, that's the title) and it's repetitive (which I get it).
the whole books was meh
can't let my therapist see what I'm reading - she wouldn't agree ehehe
the whole books was meh
can't let my therapist see what I'm reading - she wouldn't agree ehehe
July 6, 2022
Not what i expected...
I didn't feel like this Book is One of self help. It was more the chaotic ramblings of an anorexic, punctuated by Medical records. At least it was a fast read.
I didn't feel like this Book is One of self help. It was more the chaotic ramblings of an anorexic, punctuated by Medical records. At least it was a fast read.
April 12, 2018
Good Read
I’m sorry that you had to go through this, but I’m glad you had the strength to fight it and to share your story with others.
I’m sorry that you had to go through this, but I’m glad you had the strength to fight it and to share your story with others.
May 24, 2021
Thanks for sharing your story.
April 2, 2023
I honestly couldn't finish the book. But only because it was so detailed, but that says more about me than the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2024
Waste of time, terribly put together.
January 12, 2025
I just didn’t like it.
June 29, 2022
Raw: The diary of an anorexic ( Harper True Life A Short Read)
This is one of the best books that I have read in a long time on my Kindle. Lydia gave an honest disruption of her illness and what she went through.
This is one of the best books that I have read in a long time on my Kindle. Lydia gave an honest disruption of her illness and what she went through.
April 11, 2016
This student lost quite alot from her illness. I wanted to know more about the illness and I did get alot of information from this book.
Her uni friend family boyfriend she felt she was losing but they where trying to stick her together. The part with the car crash because she went round her friends house and her friend went bed after long night of drinking and she ate alot from her friend family home kitchen she felt guilty and wanted to be sick but felt bad doing around her friend house as she had a little brother .so drive home drunk had crash got put the car as she though it may explode come across someone that drive her home.(she has a test from police and came back she wasn't over the limit) rollercoaster of emotions and very reckless behaviour. She was taken care of alot of services and have loads of appointments for example: dietian , CBT therapy and many more. real letter she wrote to parents and replies are in this book along side of real assessment letters from hospitals and gps.
so much information in just 149 pages of the book. I belive the others have 80 because of the page layout online.
Her uni friend family boyfriend she felt she was losing but they where trying to stick her together. The part with the car crash because she went round her friends house and her friend went bed after long night of drinking and she ate alot from her friend family home kitchen she felt guilty and wanted to be sick but felt bad doing around her friend house as she had a little brother .so drive home drunk had crash got put the car as she though it may explode come across someone that drive her home.(she has a test from police and came back she wasn't over the limit) rollercoaster of emotions and very reckless behaviour. She was taken care of alot of services and have loads of appointments for example: dietian , CBT therapy and many more. real letter she wrote to parents and replies are in this book along side of real assessment letters from hospitals and gps.
so much information in just 149 pages of the book. I belive the others have 80 because of the page layout online.
December 12, 2015
Unexpectedly wonderful.
I immensely enjoyed this book. I was practically unable to put it down. It has been a while since I've read an entire book in a day's time, but this one commands attention. At first, I was unsure about it, for fear it might be boring. I was quite pleased to discover I was wrong. Yes, I know the subject matter of this book can be somewhat off-putting, but even if you don't suffer from an e.d., or know someone who does, it's still very interesting and insightful, nonetheless. It skips the gory details, and delves more into the psychiatric aspects of the disease. Very highly recommended. I would give it ten stars, if I could.
I immensely enjoyed this book. I was practically unable to put it down. It has been a while since I've read an entire book in a day's time, but this one commands attention. At first, I was unsure about it, for fear it might be boring. I was quite pleased to discover I was wrong. Yes, I know the subject matter of this book can be somewhat off-putting, but even if you don't suffer from an e.d., or know someone who does, it's still very interesting and insightful, nonetheless. It skips the gory details, and delves more into the psychiatric aspects of the disease. Very highly recommended. I would give it ten stars, if I could.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews