Brave Girl Eating - by Harriet Brown (Paperback)

About the Book

One of the most up to date, relevant, and honest accounts of one family s battle with the life threatening challenges of anorexia. Brown has masterfully woven science, history, and heart throughout this compelling and tender story. Lynn S. Grefe, Chief Executive Officer, National Eating Disorders Association

As a woman who once knew the grip of a life-controlling eating disorder, I held my breath reading Harriet Brown s story. As a mother of daughters, I wept for her. Then cheered. Joyce Maynard, author of Labor Day

In Brave Girl Eating, the chronicle of a family s struggle with anorexia nervosa, journalist, professor, and author Harriet Brown recounts in mesmerizing and horrifying detail her daughter Kitty s journey from near-starvation to renewed health. Brave Girl Eating is an intimate, shocking, compelling, and ultimately uplifting look at the ravages of a mental illness that affects more than 18 million Americans."

Book Synopsis

"One of the most up to date, relevant, and honest accounts of one family's battle with the life threatening challenges of anorexia. Brown has masterfully woven science, history, and heart throughout this compelling and tender story."
--Lynn S. Grefe, Chief Executive Officer, National Eating Disorders Association

"As a woman who once knew the grip of a life-controlling eating disorder, I held my breath reading Harriet Brown's story. As a mother of daughters, I wept for her. Then cheered."
--Joyce Maynard, author of Labor Day

In Brave Girl Eating, the chronicle of a family's struggle with anorexia nervosa, journalist, professor, and author Harriet Brown recounts in mesmerizing and horrifying detail her daughter Kitty's journey from near-starvation to renewed health. Brave Girl Eating is an intimate, shocking, compelling, and ultimately uplifting look at the ravages of a mental illness that affects more than 18 million Americans.

From the Back Cover

I've never had anorexia, but I know it well. I see it on the street, in the gaunt and sunken face, the bony chest, the spindly arms of an emaciated woman. I've come to recognize the flat look of despair, the hopelessness that follows, inevitably, from years of starvation. I think: That could have been my daughter. It wasn't. It's not. If I have anything to say about it, it won't be.

In this emotionally resonant and compelling memoir, journalist and professor Harriet Brown takes readers--moment by moment, spoonful by spoonful--through her family's experience with the nightmare of anorexia. A guiding light for anyone touched by this devastating disease, Brave Girl Eating is essential reading for families and professionals alike.

Review Quotes

"As a woman who once knew the grip of a life-controlling eating disorder, I held my breath reading Harriet Brown's story. As a mother of daughters, I wept for her. Then cheered." -- Joyce Maynard

"What sets this book apart is the author's incorporation of clinical research findings from the field of eating disorders into the story of one family's struggle . . . [A] compelling story of family strength and an inspiring story for all of us committed to treating individuals with eating disorders." -- Evelyn Attia, MD, Director, Center for Eating Disorders, Columbia University Medical Center, Weill Cornell Medical College

"One of the most up to date, relevant and honest accounts of one family's battle with the life threatening challenges of anorexia. Brown has masterfully woven science, history and heart throughout this compelling and tender story. Brave Girl Eating was fortunate to have one brave family." -- Lynn S. Grefe, Chief Executive Officer, National Eating Disorders Association

"Harriet Brown is an intelligent, elegant writer and this book offers both solace and useful information for families struggling with eating disorders." -- Audrey Niffenegger