"An unsparing, terrifying, razor-edged self-portrait that cuts right into the heart of this most paradoxical of psychological disorders.” — Patricia Chao author of Monkey King
A classic of psychology and eating disorders, now reissued with an important, and perhaps controversial, new afterword by the author, Wasted is New York Times bestselling author Marya Hornbacher’s highly acclaimed memoir that chronicles her battle with anorexia and bulimia.
Vivid, honest, and emotionally wrenching, Wasted is the memoir of how Marya Hornbacher willingly embraced hunger, drugs, sex, and death—until a particularly horrifying bout with anorexia and bulimia in college forever ended the romance of wasting away.
In this updated edition, Hornbacher, an authority in the field of eating disorders, argues that recovery is not only possible, it is necessary. But the journey is not easy or guaranteed. With a different ending to her story that adds a contemporary edge, Wasted continues to be timely and relevant.
This unflinching memoir is a descent into the reality of a life-threatening illness, exploring:
- Co-occurring Disorders: A rare, unflinching look at the grueling reality of battling both anorexia and bulimia, from the obsessive rituals of starvation to the chaotic cycle of bingeing and purging.
- Childhood Eating Disorder: A raw and honest exploration of how a life-threatening illness can take root, beginning for Hornbacher at the startling age of nine.
- An Unsparing Self-Portrait: More than a medical history, this is a razor-edged look at the psychology of self-destruction and the internal logic that drives the "romance of wasting away."
- Recovery and Relapse: This updated edition includes a powerful new afterword where Hornbacher revisits her story, offering a contemporary perspective on the difficult, non-linear path of recovery.
