Annabel is dead. She died from complications due to anorexia nervosa. Her relationship with food, and view of those who eat, is skewed.

Julia is a chubby school girl, who is in the class Annabel was in. Now, Annabel has been given an assignment from "The Bosss" (who is not God, she makes it clear, but the woman in charge). That assignment is to help Julia. Other than that, Annabel has few details. The Boss keeps telling her she will learn her assignment as she goes along.

As soon as Annabel sees Julia, it becomes clear her assignment is to help her to lose weight, and to help her become strong enough to refuse unnecessary, disgusting food.

As the book moves along, we see Annabel getting inside Julia's head. She never reveals herself; that's not how this work. Rather, she puts thoughts in Julia's brain about how fat and disgusting she is, and how her life would be so much better if she were thin. Unfortunately, those thoughts gradually have the desired effect. We see Julia becoming more and more unhappy as she loses more weight. At the same time, she begins obsessed with Annabel. She hears about her and her death and wants to learn more. She is kind of a role model for Julia.

As Julia becomes increasingly ill, there is a boy called Gavin who she really likes, but keeps pushing away due to a misunderstanding, where she thinks he is making fun of her weight. Which he isn't. This love story runs alongside the one of eating disorders. The story comes to a head when Julia collapses.

It's aimed at teenage girls, and it does have some lessons that all teenage girls (and boys) should learn. But, I'm approaching middle age, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. My teenage years aren't so long ago that I can't remember how it felt.

The message: that being thin does not make you happy. Being healthy, that's good. But so thin you collapse (or die); not so much.

I also love the way Annabel's feelings towards food change by the end of the book, and she finally comes to understand she was ill. Although, it's too late by then. This runs parallel to Julia's thoughts changing in the opposite direction. It's cleverly written.

I wanted to make it compulsory that all teenagers read this. It brought back a lot of memories of my own food issues, and I just wanted to tell teenage girls, in particular, but boys also, that being thin is not a direct link to happiness. In fact, it's the exact opposite.

The ending made me cry with happiness. It's very moving. I think I was also crying for the teenage me that never really got away from that way of thinking. I felt sad for what could have been. The book was definitely an emotional ride.

Claire Hennessy. An Irish writer, whom I had never heard of before this book. I bought it because my favourite writer (also Irish), Marian Keyes, recommended it on her Vlog. In general, she has very good taste, so I thought I;d give this one a go.

It has an important and positive message. I wish all teenagers could read and understand its message. And believe its message, most importantly. It's an entertain gin and unique read and has a lovely relationship at its heart.

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Created Oct 09, 2017 at 5:17am • Submit your own review...