The Luckiest Girl in the World

by Steven Levenkron

Just looking at Katie Roskova, you'd think she had it all: she was pretty, popular, an A-student at an exclusive private school, and on her way to becoming a champion figure skater. But there was another Katie, the one she hid from the world, who was having trouble dealing with the mounting pressures of her young life. And it was this Katie who, with no other means of expression available to her, reacted to her overbearing mother, her absent father, her unforgiving schedule, and her oblivious classmates by turning her self-doubt into self-hatred. And into self-mutilation. In his previous novel, The Best Little Girl in the World, Steven Levenkron brought insight, expertise, and sensitivity to the painful subject of anorexia nervosa. Now he applies these same talents to demystifying a condition that is just as heartbreaking, and becoming more common everyday. Through his depiction of Katie's self-mutilating behavior - she is called "a cutter" by her peers - and her triumphant road to recovery, he offers a compelling profile of a young girl in trouble, and much-needed hope to the growing numbers who suffer from this shocking syndrome.

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Psychology, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mr. Levenkron really pushes his ideas about self-mutilation. According to him, there are two infallable truths: 1) If you cut, it's your parent's fault. 2) he is the best and most amazing therapist to ever grace the earth.

[Toby · Rating 1 out of 5]

Like The Best Little Girl in the World (Levenkron's book about anorexia nervosa), this book holds pretty much true to his form of copying down the stereotype of who self injures and leaving it at that. If a totally uninformed person read this book without any prior knowledge about self injury, s/he would believe that a self injurer would always be white, privileged, young, an overachiever, and female. This is not the case - anyone can self injure.

As a psychotherapist, I would expect Levenkron to have a little more common sense about triggers, in both of his "best selling" books. I don't have the slightest clue as to why these books have sold as well as they have, nor do I understand why they are rated as highly as they are.

[stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

he tries to do for self-injury what he did with anorexia. the problem is that his character is a little too much of a trope, of the "ideal" self-injurer" - in a way, there is no difference between this girl and the girl with anorexia.

still, it does say that even people with supposed "perfect" lives have bad shit going on - and that they deal with it in different ways. this is vitally important, i think, for the audience he is writing for. still, it seemed too cliched and obvious - but then again, i did read this much later in life, knowing a whole lot more about the subject.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Seriously? There are a myriad of reasons why people self injure, and having too perfect of a life is one I haven't really run into. This book makes it all a little too neat and simple. Another thing (and I could be remembering this incorrectly) is that he does not bring brain chemistry into this book. Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong since I am going off a several year old memory. I remembered feeling outraged by this book. Not only is brain chemistry an element (in illnesses such as depression and bipolar) but things such as abuse can also affect whether or not someone self injures (not everyone cuts). The first person I knew of back in the mid-80s who cut was a girl who was being sexually abused by someone in her family. I will stop raging now, but my point is, there is a multitude of reasons why someone would do this to themselves. It doesn't all fit into a neat little package as Levenkron would have us believe.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have loved this book as a young adult. As an adult it felt formulaic and clichéd. I was bothered by the break in confidentiality exhibited by the therapist (and this is written by a therapist) even though it was a mild infraction, and I know that for some young people reading it could act as a trigger to engage in cutting or other similar behavior. However, it was an interesting story and had some valuable material. I liked it even though I didn’t really like it and I wish I’d enjoyed it less.

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the second time I read this book and turns out I didn't remember much about it from the first time. The book does a really great job of depicting such a serious topic in an understandable way. The coping mechanism of cutting isn't really understood by a lot of teenagers and even more so by adults. This book does a great job of explaining why people have the urge through the eyes of the one hurting (Katie). Although it explains cutting throughout Katie's life, it also does a wonderful job of creating hope, and travels with Katie on her journey of healing. Quick read, and a great way to get into the mind of a "cutter" - an overwhelmed and hurting young girl.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but the character who best came to life for me was Sandy Sherman, which is no small surprise. It's as if the writer -- guess what? A psychiatrist specializing in issues such as Katie's -- just reinvented himself on the pages -- and as a hero at that. I know they say to 'write about what you know,' but it was almost too much straight from the notes of the doctor.

Still, the story kept me reading, and I finished the book in less that 24 hours. The mother -- simply horrific. But I don't want to spoil anything, so read for yourself.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever been a cutter, you can relate so well to this book. Reading this helped me through my own problems. An amazing story.

[Marli ☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how this book had multiple perspectives!
A very quick, sad and interesting read with a bittersweet ending.

[kaylie rayne ‪‪‪♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know how I feel at this point. I don't really enjoy Levenkron's style of writing; his descriptions of Katie and her life are, to me, mundane and used. The beginning of the book is not revolutionary or at all unique. However, I enjoy how Katie's school incident was written --it sparked my interest and differed from the conventional start.

[Kaity Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steven Levenkron's novel, The Luckiest Girl in the World, brings light to a touchy subject, self mutilation. In this astounding novel, Katie Roskova is a figure skating star. She seems to be the perfect child, athlete, and "school star" (Levenkron 107); however, she has a secret. Katie is "The Skater Who Was Different" (Levenkron 26). When life becomes too much and she "experiences emotions she can't handle" (Lebenkron 140), and she finds relief in cutting herself. Katie finds herself longing for help. She hides her cuts beneath long sleeves, but soon that is not enough.
The reader is given a view of astounding truth and quality. Although it ends too quickly, this novel shows unprecedented honesty, and it pulls the reader in by being a prime example of showing and not just telling with the use of words. The novel never leaves the reader unsatisfied. Time after time, it brings surprises and new in sights into the life of those who subject themselves to harm.
A new view is given to the reader, one from the point of view of both the victim and the perpetrator. Katie often finds relief in harming herself with a pair of scissors. This action of slicing skin calms Katie. Even though it seems to soothe Katie, she soon finds it troublesome. In this novel, the reader is taken on a trip to battlegrounds. The battle just so happens to be inside Katie's mind and the injuries from it on her body. Katie fights a terrifying war, a war that is both for herself and against herself. The price of the war is her blood and possibly her own life.

[Petra X · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the first third of this book, I was thinking to myself that it was written for concerned parents and teachers to give to girls who were cutting themselves. I didn't cut myself as a teenager (I did other stuff) but if I'd been given this book, I would have thought it was ultra-patronising and dumbed down so you wouldn't miss the point. I nearly put it down at this stage, but not having anything else light in the house to read over lunch I perservered, and I am so glad I did.

The author really knew his stuff, he knew about teenage girls, about the inner satisfaction of self-mutilation and just what group therapy is really all about, how it works. I would recommend it to anyone with a spare couple of hours and an interest in the subject, except for troubled adolescents, this would definitely make you look out-of-touch and uncool to give it to them.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you do when you can't talk to your mother, you don't have time for friends, and there isn't an outlet for your emotions? The Luckiest Girl in the World shows how one young girl felt the only way to heal herself was to harm herself. For many girls (and some guys) self-harm is a very real, very vivid part of their lives. I read this book as a teenager fighting my own battle with learning how to use words instead of razors to heal my pain. The book is extremely well-written by one of the pioneers of treatmenting self-destruction behavior. Though it may at first tempt some to harm (as it did me), getting through the book is imperative as it shows how healing is possible. Communication is key in healing, if you're struggling with self-harm I urge you to tell someone you trust and seek help from a professional. Healing is possible. You can be free.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Self-mutilation and cutting have become two of the most prevalent psychological disorders among teenage girls. Steven Levenkron is a well-known psychotherapist in New York City who specializes in treating self-mutilators along with those who suffer from OCD and eating disorders. The Luckiest Girl in the World is a fictitious treatment of a self-mutilator; Levenkron clearly knows what he is talking about, and writes about this illness tenderly without condoning it.

This novel reads like an elongated case study, which I found extremely interesting. (I am a sucker for case studies.) It is one of the only books out there about this disorder and I recommend it to anyone working with teenagers or anyone interested in psychological issues.

[James Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion this is an excellent book. The most important part of the book, to me, was the way Katie thought about herself.
She kept thinking of herself as stupid, as not being a good person at all. The lines that really sounded so much like my own thinking were: "As soon as people know about you, they run. And that's the way it's always going to be."
It was interesting to learn that others think of themselves just like I do; with very strong self-hatred. Over and over in the book I saw how Katie thought of herself and how her thoughts were the same I have every day.
I wish more people could get help like Katie did.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book guaranteed to appeal to young adult readers who like Lurlene McDaniel. Written from several points of view, this story about an ice skater who is also a "cutter" reveals something about a problem facing an increasing number of teens. The problem is handled tactfully, and does not even allude to the common perception of cutters as out for attention. The book reflects its publication date of 1997: one of the therapists works in a private school and has no experience with this problem. Overall an easy read and worthwhile.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Initially, I was hesitant to read this book because... hm, I'm not sure. But, you know, today I picked it up and I read it and I am really quite happy I did. I think Steven Levenkron does an amazing job of capturing what life is like for the Katies of the world, from what it feels like physically to how it hurts emotionally and just what it does. His descriptions are vivid and enlightening. It's an accessible read for young adult readers and he manages to make some sense out of what doesn't, well, make sense for so many.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm glad that the author is a real psychologist. This book shows the harsh and ugly reality in struggling with a mental disorder. It focuses on the perspective of a 15 year old girl and with the author's knowledge you can get to understand a person's struggling with their mental health. The author takes you in to see the struggles of teenager facing such serious issues. I love how it real it gets. With every page you read it spills out the painful secrets of the characters in the most vulnerable way.

[Kricket · Rating 2 out of 5]

Levenkron calls this a "novelized case study" but it's more of a novelized stereotype. He would have done better to create a unique character with a bit more reality to her than Katie. And look at the subtitle: "A Young Skater Battles Her Self-Destructive Impulses"-- sounds like a good time, doesn't it? Ech. Still, I'm glad there's literature on this subject...but maybe Levenkron needs a writing buddy or something.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book about cutting. I have had to replace this book twice in the past 2 years. It's not as popular as other books on the topic, and I'm not sure why because it is written very well. I do know that a few girls who picked it up to read chose not to because of the ice skating (they said they don't ice skate).

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book isn't bad, but it focuses too much on a stereotype to be completely accurate. Though the writing style isn't spectacular, it makes for an alright quick read. I read it once before and felt the same way. As a recovering self mutilator myself, I can relate to numerous parts of Katie's struggle with cutting.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt this book gave a good insight into some of the reasons why a person feels the need to self harm. It wasn't over the top or overly dramatic when it came to the main characters personal life and the issues she was dealing with. I started reading this book and could not put it down. Great read and would recommend it to anyone who is dealing with this issue.

[allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

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amazing book.
i wish it could have been longer.
it only took me one afternoon to read it.
but i bought it, so it was fantastic :D

it really feels like the author puts a connection between the reader and the character.

read it.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again, Steven Levenkron takes the mental illness du jour and writes a novel about it. It was interesting to learn the causes of cutting, but after reading his The Best Little Girl in the World, it felt like a formula.

[Kim Benouski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think of all the YA cutting books I've read, this one is the best written. Some kids find the skating theme to be overdone or to take away from why they were reading the story, however. Still, I like it far better than Cut, which kids read far more often.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

So far so good. As a former figure skater, this book was a must read from the moment I read the back cover. Can't put it down so far!

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

too good to be true. in real life (for me) it's not like that at all.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reads like a Lifetime movie. Levenkron may well be a good doctor but he is not the best writer.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, I went through a series of books like this in the early 2000s. I needed some answers I guess. This was a well-written account as well.

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good book about cutting