I didn't like this at all. As someone who's struggled with an eating disorder for nearly 5 years, and has spent 3 of those years trying to get better, this book did not portray an eating disorder at all. It had me grimacing at some points because it's so unrealistic.

This book could have been really good, the premise was good. The writing was choppy and Sethie was decently likeable. But her eating disorder was all about just being thin to her, when for most people being thin becomes more of a symptom than a goal. Usually people enjoy the emptiness, or how they have control. Yes, sometimes at first its just to be thin, but it escalates quickly. However, for Sethie her reasoning stayed the same. And the ending? It was like a switch just turned on, and suddenly she was all better.

This book could have had the same story, but touched on the mental parts of the disorder a little more, and I would have enjoyed it. Maybe not, but I at least wouldn't have been grimacing at it. ( )

I didn't like this at all. As someone who's struggled with an eating disorder for nearly 5 years, and has spent 3 of those years trying to get better, this book did not portray an eating disorder at all. It had me grimacing at some points because it's so unrealistic.

This book could have been really good, the premise was good. The writing was choppy and Sethie was decently likeable. But her eating disorder was all about just being thin to her, when for most people being thin becomes more of a symptom than a goal. Usually people enjoy the emptiness, or how they have control. Yes, sometimes at first its just to be thin, but it escalates quickly. However, for Sethie her reasoning stayed the same. And the ending? It was like a switch just turned on, and suddenly she was all better.

This book could have had the same story, but touched on the mental parts of the disorder a little more, and I would have enjoyed it. Maybe not, but I at least wouldn't have been grimacing at it. ( )

This book isn't as bad as all the reviews on here say it is, but it's still pretty bad. Terribly written but a fairly good portrait of the eating disordered. ( )

I enjoyed it. I gave it a 4, because it wasn't the best I've read, but it was a topic I have been interested in since I was a teenager. I have known many people with eating disorders, and have dealt with them myself. So I was able to relate to some point. As others have said, the third person confused me a bit. Early on I was like Is this in third person or is the author just speaking for Sethie? lol It also felt slow to get started, but I'm just getting into reading again, so I'm not sure if it's just me. Granted, most of the books I have read to this point I have benefit of having see a movie/tv show based on it, so I have a connection with the character going into it.

I definitely wouldn't rate it below a 3. But I get that everyone has theirown taste. I don't think that the topic was handled badly. I also understand how she could manage good grades all while going through all these things, she is a perfectionist, and that would include grades, and she didn't seem to be quite to the point most people are when it actually starts to affect their school/work.

I would have liked to read more, like is she able to work through recovery? Does she relapse? Because practically, she would have, it's how it usually happens. But no book could include every detail of what an eating disorder is like!

I would recommend the book to anyone interested in mental health and or/eating disorders, but not really if you don't like reading about these things, and if you aren't able to empathize with it. It seems like some people were bothered by the drugs and stuff also... but this girl lives in NYC, I'm sure it's hard to get out of adolescence without being presented with the opportunity to try drugs, I mean, I grew up in a small town and knew people who did drugs. I didn't, but that's partly because I was paranoid I'd get in trouble. lol That saved me from having ever more issues than I already have.

That said, there were some moments that she wasn't likable, I felt that she was too hard on Janey. Sure, I'd probably be upset that she didn't tell me sooner, but really, what good did knowing do? He probably would have "broken" up with her eventually anyway eventually. I feel like one can't completely empathize with her unless they have gone through something similar themselves, because it really does change you, you act in ways you might not, if you were not/had not gone through it. ( )

All her life, Sethie has known what she’s wanted to do, then has gone out and done it. She’s gotten all A’s at school, scored over 2000 on her SAT’s, written all her college essays, sent out her college applications, made Shaw her boyfriend, and is awaiting graduation from high school in a few months.

One of the most important accomplishments she’s achieved is paying attention to her weight.

Read rest of my review at: http://shouldireaditornot.wordpress.com/2012/07/30/the-stone-girl-alyssa-b-shein...
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