The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting cover art

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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About this listen

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 Personal Development Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Women Health Memoir Inspiring Funny Heartfelt Witty Thought-Provoking

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All stars
Most relevant
I'd heard so many good reviews about this that I really want to read it - or in this case listen to it - for myself.

I think anyone who reads this will be a fan of Evanna, and/or the Harry Potter movies so you will know who she is anyway; you may not know she suffered from anorexia nervosa and was hospitalised at the age of 11.

This was a truly heartbreaking but at the same time inspiring, and insightful, account of Evanna's journey through her becoming anorexic and her recovery, her step into the HP world; and yet so much more once she delves deeper. Not just about anorexia in itself, the mental health aspect of it, and life generally, too. The journey into womanhood which can be really difficult.

I probably wouldn't recommend reading it if you're not in a good place mentally as it can be quite tough at points; I had a bad day where I couldn't bring myself to listen to it because it was so heart wrenching.

But at the same time it's beautiful and I didn't want to stop when I was listening (I would recommend that if you can, then listen - Evanna actually recommends this herself in an article I read afterwards!).

This is one that I will remember for a long while, and I'm probably going to purchase a physical copy of it too.

Very touching and emotional

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Such a well explained true life story. Sad and happy moments but expressed from a person who has dealt with such struggles. An amazing lady

Truly breath taking

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I really loved this tenderly written and insightful account of Evanna’s life and experience with anorexia. It opened my eyes so much to the disorder with such vulnerability and raw insight. A powerful book, wonderful.

Tenderly written, insightful.

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As someone deeply afflicted with anorexia myself, I was wary of reading this. Most memoirs on this horrible disease can be incredibly triggering, even those focused on pro recovery.
I was recommended this book by a therapist a while ago and after I finally took the risk to begin, I’m glad I did.
I commend Evanna for her integrity and articulation in writing this as well as her candid honesty in discussing not the symptoms of the illness itself but the deep rooted psyche, strengths and weaknesses behind the disorder.
Unlike most other books on this subject matter, I feel envy not on the depths anorexia took her to, but her strength to rise above it and fight for life without its control- a battle I am currently still fighting after 20 years of it. I will use her words as strength to keep fighting and hopefully find my own peace.
I hope this memoir could give strength to others as it has me.

A rare book of positivity

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Great story of an emotional journey, superbly narrated unexpectedly funny and hugely emotionally engaging.
It great literature helps you look at your own life in a different way then this is great literature.

Inspiring and captivating

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