04/06/2025
Before I begin this book review, I would like to warn readers that the book I will be discussing covers multiple sensitive topics such as eating disorders, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. Please proceed with caution and prioritize your own mental health.
Today, I’ll be reviewing Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, one of my favorite authors, best known for her powerful book, Speak. In Wintergirls, eighteen-year-olds Cassie and Lia find themselves trapped in a world of insecurity, where the only options seem to be starving and cutting. Striving to be the “perfect” image of skinny, affluent girls portrayed in magazines like Vogue and Victoria’s Secret, they decide to compete to see who can be the skinniest. This dangerous competition leads them down a dark path of harmful eating habits, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. Despite their struggles, Lia and Cassie love and care for each other, especially as their mental health deteriorates.
After an argument between the two, they split up their friendship, but the competition doesn’t end there. After Lia receives 33 missed calls from Cassie, it’s too late to reply; Cassie was found dead in a hotel room. Lia feels pangs of regret for not being there for her first friend while also grappling with her own body image struggles and the battle within herself. The book weaves through Lia’s internal struggles, from fMRI scans of the brain to sheets of paper, drawing readers into her emotional rollercoaster. It’s a journey that leaves readers wiping their eyes or frozen in utter shock as Anderson uncovers Lia and her struggles to connect with herself, her family, and reality, all while Cassie’s ghost serves as a catalyst to haunt Lia and her regrets. Regardless, Lia finds a way to understand what is best for her. Despite two girls being lost in the dark, Lia ultimately learns that it’s easy to find the light if you put trust in yourself.
If you are into books that talk about mental health, transitioning into adulthood and grief, this book is perfect for you. Happy Reading!
Lit Lounge Reads 