Hungry cover art

Hungry

A biography of my body

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Hungry

By: Katriona O'Sullivan
Narrated by: Katriona O’Sullivan
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'Soars with compassion, intelligence and hard-won wisdom ... a standout book' LOUISE KENNEDY

From the Number One bestselling author of Poor

'Utterly compelling' EDEL COFFEY

'Raw and profound' LIZ NUGENT

'I couldn't put it down' ELAINE FEENEY

Katriona O'Sullivan has come a long way from the poverty, chaos and abuse she knew growing up. A respected academic and bestselling author, she defied every expectation placed on the teenage mother she once was.

Yet even as the accolades arrived, old beliefs held fast. No degree, no award, no recognition could silence the sense that she was only worthy when her body looked the way society said it should.

In this fierce and fearless memoir, Katriona pulls back the curtain on her journey: the relentless comparison to the curated bodies of strangers on the internet, the dangerous weight-loss treatments, the attempts to reshape herself into an impossible ideal - and how she slowly learned to accept and love herself.

Hungry is an unforgettable examination of how gender, class and trauma shape a woman's sense of worth. It is one woman's story - and a rallying cry for every woman who has ever felt she had to shrink to survive.

PRAISE FOR 'POOR':

'One of the best [books] I have read about the complexities of poverty . . . one of the most remarkable people you will ever meet' Guardian

'Powerful - Katriona is a legend' Barry Keoghan

'Raw, passionate and resolutely honest - I'll never forget it' Annie Mac

'I read Poor in one sitting I found it so compelling . . . moving, uplifting, brave, heroic' Nuala McGovern, Woman's Hour, BBC Radio Four

'Moving, funny, brave and original - just like the author . . . absolutely incredible' Roísín Ingle, Irish Times Women's Podcast

'One of the books of the year' Patrick Kielty, Late Late Show, RTÉ One

'One of the most important books I have ever read ... a beautiful telling of determination despite the odds' Lynn Ruane, Irish Times

'Raw and remarkable' Irish Independent

'A book of empowerment and hope' Patricia Scanlan©2026 Katriona O’Sullivan Abuse Dysfunctional Families Eating Disorders Education Mental Health Parenting & Families Personal Development Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Women Funny Thought-Provoking Feel-Good
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Critic reviews

Amazing. I couldn't put it down
Every woman needs to read this book. Every man needs to read this book
I doubt there's a woman alive who won't immediately see herself in these pages. I tore through it
Soaring with compassion, intelligence and hard-won wisdom ... a standout book
This raw, courageous read is both deeply personal and a call for women to stop shrinking themselves
Raw and profound
A searingly honest account of the author's lifelong struggle with her traumatised body ... great insight and emotional intensity
A honed, honest message that takes you to a better place ... a beautiful honesty
ruthlessly unsentimental ... ferociously, absorbingly honest
Startlingly honest and heartbreaking ... Hungry is a compulsive, inspiring read ... an extraordinary story
All stars
Most relevant
I love that Katriona narrates her own books. I find this book and her book Poor hard to listen to. But can’t stop listening to either. This story just makes me want to hug Katriona and say well done 🥰 but also reflects how not every childhood is full of love and happiness. Which makes me hug my children tighter and make them laugh more. Thank you Katriona for sharing this story.

Raw, Real and Amazing

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This book could just as easily have been called honest. It is so honest and jarring at times, everyone working with children and adults who have been hurt or traumatised should read or listen to it .

Honest

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I absolutely loved this part 2 book- I think Katriona reading it herself was even better than any book. You can feel the emotion in her voice while listening. What a great biography. So inspiring

So so enjoyable

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Hungry was incredible. It didn’t feel like I was simply reading someone else’s story, it felt like I was living through it with her. The honesty and vulnerability in the writing made everything feel so immediate and real, and there were moments that genuinely stayed with me after I put the book down.
It’s raw, powerful and deeply human. One of those books that doesn’t just tell you what happened, but somehow lets you feel the experience from the inside. I couldn’t put it down.

incredible 💪

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This book was such an amazing story, Katriona is so brave sharing the story of her life. What a wonderful beautiful strong human being she truly is.

amazing read

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