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The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting

A powerful memoir of overcoming an eating disorder

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The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting

By: Evanna Lynch
Narrated by: Evanna Lynch
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Gradually, I began to feel this dawning awareness that womanhood was coming for me, that it was looming inevitably, and it didn't feel safe.... While those around me tried to expedite it, simulate it, exacerbate it, I tried to strangle it.

A raw and compelling new memoir from actress and activist Evanna Lynch about the battle between perfection and creativity.

Evanna Lynch has long been viewed as a role model for recovering anorexics, and the story of her casting as Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter films has reached almost mythic proportions. Yet even after recovery, there remains a conflict at the very core of her being: a bitter struggle between the familiar, anesthetising pursuit of perfection and the desire to fully and fearlessly embrace her creativity. In her memoir, Evanna confronts all the complexities and contradictions within herself and reveals how she overcame a life-threatening eating disorder, began to conquer her self-hate and confronted her fear of leaving the neatness and safety of girlhood for the unpredictable journey of being a woman.

Revealing a startlingly accomplished voice, Evanna uses her book to delve into the very heart of a woman's relationship with her own body. Unwilling to let the darkness of her eating disorder eclipse her dreams, but afraid to fully release the certainty and safety of self-destruction, Evanna explores the pivotal moments and choices in her life that led her down the path of creativity and dreaming and away from the empty pursuit of perfection, and reaches towards acceptance of the wild, sensual and unpredictable reality of womanhood. This is a story of the tragedy and the glory of growing up, of mourning girlhood and stepping into the unknown and how that act of courage is the most creatively liberating thing a woman can do.

©2021 Evanna Lynch (P)2021 Headline Publishing Group Ltd
Eating Disorders Mental Health Mental Health Awareness Personal Development Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Women Health Memoir Inspiring Funny Heartfelt Witty Thought-Provoking
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What a beautiful raw honest book about a young woman’s struggles with anorexia.

Evanna has found the perfect way to tell the story of her illness, with the added bonus that she narrates it herself,

I am sure this book will help both sufferers and their families, who try to fathom the complexity of this mentally and physically debilitating disease.

Still can’t get my head round the title though.

Dying to be thin

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It took me several months after purchasing to pluck up the courage to read this book - but once I did, I couldn't stop listening. It is beautifully written, raw, witty, funny, brave, heartbreaking and inspiring... you live all of Evanna's emotions as she takes you through the trials and triumphs of battling an ED.

Evanna is a wonderful narrator and really brings the book alive - I actually re-listened to it straight after finishing. Although it is distressing and uncomfortable to listen to at moments, there is a comprehensive, well-explained trigger warning at the beginning and Evanna has made every effort to avoid anything that could 'glorify' anorexia or fuel any competition for lowest weights or calorie counts (whilst still providing an account of her journey). I would say this is a must-read for anyone who is suffering from anorexia and thinking about recovery - as well as their friends and families. Healthcare professionals would also benefit from reading or listening to this.

Moving, thought-provoking, inspiring must-read

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Beautifully written and thoughtfully told. Such a powerful insight into the brutality and devastation that an eating disorder can bring to individuals and their loved ones.

Hopeful

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I found myself laughing and crying with the young Evanna on several occasions. Her struggles with anorexia brought back childhood memories of my own struggle with weight. Disordered eating is much more prevalent than we would like to admit. The author is very brave to lay her emotional struggles bare for all to see. This is a well written, moving, and honest account of a young girl's coming to terms with herself and the inevitable changes that puberty brings. Certain details might be triggering to those in the depth of anorexia's grip, however.

Honest and poignant

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Honest, sincere and heartbreaking. Storyline inspired me, make you think deeper and appreciate the bravery to share story. Funny moments and love the Harry Potter connection

The opposite of butterfly hunting

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