BOOK GROUPIE: 'Wintergirls' a learning experience
Nonfiction books are not the only books that impart information. Many times the best teaching books are works of fiction. After all, for thousands of years humans have used fiction to share knowledge and truth.
When I wanted to learn more about autism — a developmental disorder that affects approximately one in 110 children — I read “Marcelo in the Real World” by Francisco Stork and featured the book in this column. I learned more about autism from following the fictional story of autistic Marcelo than I ever would have from a textbook.
Much of what made “Marcelo” so educational for me was the hard work put in by the author. The book demonstrated the author’s thorough research without coming across as a lecture.
I had a similar experience recently, when I wanted to know more about eating disorders. I’d learned that as many as 8 million Americans suffer from eating disorders, and that anorexia is the third-most common chronic illness among teenagers.
I’m fortunate none of my family members suffer from eating disorders, but because I’m in regular contact with adolescents, I wanted to be aware of early warning signs.
The source that gave me the most memorable understanding of eating disorders was not Wikipedia, a medical journal or a health-related website, but Laurie Halse Anderson’s novel “Wintergirls.”
“Wintergirls” begins with Lia, a teenager suffering from an eating disorder, discovering that her former best friend has died. The friend, Cassie, died in a motel room. For several chapters, Lia (and readers) don’t know the cause of Cassie’s death, but it’s fairly certain it was anorexia-related.
Cassie’s death puts Lia on a dangerous path. She shoots for lower and lower body weights, while using various means to hide her downward journey from her parents.
Of course, reading “Wintergirls” isn’t easy. It is filled with difficult scenes in which Lia calls herself names and cuts herself with a knife. At some points, I wanted to hug Lia and throw her parents in jail. Other times, I wanted to do the exact opposite. At the end of one long reading stretch with the book, I realized I’d been clenching my teeth. My jaw was sore for days.
But here’s the thing. Like “Marcelo,” “Wintergirls” is skillfully written and based on solid research. Having read this story, I’m better equipped to recognize the early warning signs of eating disorders. And that’s a fact, thanks to fiction.
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Miller welcomes book suggestions. Read her blog at www.anita
laydonmiller.blogspot.com or
e-mail anita.l.miller@att.net.
