Dancing with a Demon

by Valerie Foster

A mother's love. A daughter's battle. A family's journey. What would you do if your child stopped eating? Dancing with a Demon is the true story of a mother searching for answers through the labyrinth of her daughter's struggle with an often fatal and perpetually mysterious disease. When author Valerie Foster's teen-aged daughter, Jenna, plunges into the dark world of anorexia nervosa, Valerie has to fight against a demon that threatens her daughter's life and her own mental health. Her riveting narrative, along with Jenna's revealing journal entries, explores the complexities of the mother-daughter relationship and how this disease affects one's entire family. For psychologists, educators, teens and parents everywhere, Dancing with a Demon provides hope, understanding, and enlightenment.

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2017

Reviews

[Katrina Shawver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dancing with a Demon is a very personal account of a mother whose daughter suddenly and inexplicably stopped eating, and what life was like until, well, no spoilers. Valerie Foster has boldly shared in print her personal reactions, thoughts, and the very private love letters she wrote to her daughter during this time. However the real power of this story comes from the inclusion of her daughter's private journal entries from that dark time. Both Valerie and her daughter Jenna are excellent writers, but I am struck by how especially poetic, eloquent and observant her young daughter's diary entries were. The journal entries are especially poignant since Foster had not seen these until she decided to pen this book many years later, and her daughter offered to share. The book would be good, but rises to a higher dimension and is a more complete story with her daughter's teen viewpoint. This story will speak to any parent who has dealt with a child's illness they cannot order away or fix. This is not an advice or self-help book. It is a memoir of mother and daughter's dual journey through anexoria that perhaps other parents will also relate to. I had the added advantage of buying this book at a signing event where I could hear the author speak.

[2515Readgmail.Com · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book by Valerie Foster, Dancing With a Demon. This is a MUST READ for any parent or relative dealing with a loved one who suffers from an eating disorder. When my daughter was diagnosed with anorexia last year and visited me at Christmas time weighing under 100 lbs. I was devastated, scared, angry, frustrated and LOST! Reading helped me more than anything. I wish I had this book at the time to give me HOPE. Above all, when this horrific demon takes over your loved one's life you need hope. Valerie's book gives you that. She writes the most beautiful yet "raw, painful and honest" book on her journey with her daughter and family surviving Jenna's eating disorder. I love the fact she also included excerpts from her daughter's journal which revealed the pain of this illness. This book tells of the unconditional and undying love of a mother for her child. I would encourage everyone to read this book as it will inspire you, lift you and give you the hope you will need in order to press forward to gain a healthy and happy life for your loved one. There can be a happy ending!

[Gina Rae Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mother’s story of love and life through anorexia.

As difficult as this book was to read, I can not imagine how difficult it was to write. I read the entire book in one sitting with my heart in my throat.

Dancing with a Demon chronicles the story of a mother’s battle to save her daughter's life. Anorexia is indeed a demon of a disease that affects each person differently. This story bares the soul of what the entire family goes through, not just the afflicted one.

The story is told with grace and dignity. There are passages from both mother & daughter’s journals adding poignancy to the story.

I was touched, horrified, and uplifted all in the space of a few hours. As a mother of daughter’s, I felt every emotion while reading this book. I think everyone would benefit from reading Dancing with a Demon. It is a detailed look at anorexia and other mental illnesses. It is not a light-hearted story but one that needs to be told all the same.

[Kayla Kolar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valerie Foster has written another clear winner! As with her first book, this topic is hard to talk about, yet even harder for one to live through, especially as a parent. The way Valerie addresses her daughter's eating disorder is a straight-forward account that comes from the heart. Her story is one of love, pain, confusion, frustration, endurance, and triumph. This book will encourage others who are going through a similar situation and strongly delivers a message of hope beyond measure.

[Marybeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written story of how a mother and daughter's love and persistence keeps them from succumbing to anguish and despair in their battle with the demon -- anorexia. Daughter Jenna's journal entries chronicling her year-long struggle are woven into her mother's intimate narrative resulting in a powerful and compelling read that I found difficult to put down.

[Traceylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why

This is a story about a daughter Jenna with an eating disorder and her mother's closeness to try to save her daughter from death. Jenna failed remission from this several times till her determination helped her recover

[Jan Ropp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and a must read for those struggling with, or know someone who is struggling with an eating disorder. Written with compassion and love. Good information.