The Passion of Alice

I read parts because I was curious and worried about the phenomena of widespread self destruction, especially in young ladies. I think many could identify with the author, but for the adult, it’s a long sad testimony to being lost.

The Passion of Alice is one of my favourite books. I read it when it was released in Australia, and have re-read it since. Alice is such a likeable character that you cannot stop turning the pages to see what happens to her. Her story is complex on many levels, as are her reasons for denying all her needs, not just that for food. I agree with the other reviewers who are eagerly awaiting Stephanie Grant's next book - I hope that Alice was not her first and last, because it is also her beautiful writing style and empathy for her characters which makes this book so successful.

This book is terrific. The sex scenes were appropriate and well-written. If you want to learn about anorexia, I would hope that you would not choose to do so from a novel (in response to the reviews below). And if you are afraid of encountering lesbianism without warning, perhaps reading literature is too dangerous for you (perhaps you shouldn't even leave your house...).

wOW! I LOVED this book, I couldn't put it down. I tend to read lots of books that are about or partly about eating disorders, mainly because I have an ED and also because it interests me. I don't appreciate or agree with most of the customer comments above. Some of these comments make me very angry. They say they all thought it was 'going to be about anorexia', oh what? were you guys hoping to get some more tips on how to further your condition? I'm sorry, but if you want to help yourselves then you shouldn't be reading fictional books on anorexia, they only ignite the passion for the eating disorder. I guess I must have a different edition of the book (I'm in South AFrica) where it states specifically on the back 'NOT AN ANOREXIC'S STORY'. And to all the people who said 'revolting scenes of homosexual acts' then I think you are very narrow-minded and don't deserve to read real literature. And for what it's worth I'm not a lesbian myself and perhaps neither was Alice really, that issue was not resolved. Anorexia was just a part of the story it wasn't the main thing. Alice told her story in a very dispassionate way which leaves the reader almost in constant suspense or wonder as to why she is doing this to herself, there is no insight into her real thoughts. The book is all at once disturbing, morbid and depressing, it leaves you sort of empty. The dialogue intrigued me so much, I have never read anything like it - sparkling, brilliant. There is so much truth and thought in this book for anyone - you don't have to have an ED or be a lesbian to read it. I specifically liked Chapter 21, it was very poetical, beautiful. These were my favourite parts: "...She taught me about stained galss. She said that no one made the real thing anymore, just painted glass...She explained how to tell the difference: real stained glass was drab on the outside; it rewarded only those who came in." (Pg 33) and - "...mothers...envious, infants propped on their hips-made-shelves, as Syd and I swam in tandem along the floor of the shallow end. Their veiny thighs must have looked like underwater trees to us, rooted in the tile. Each week we followed the long spear of Neptune across the bottom of the pool, our cheeks ballooned with air, my fist around Syd's giant thumb." (Pg. 53) STEPHANIE GRANT! PLEASE HURRY WITH YOUR NEXT BOOK! THIS ONE WAS EXCELLENT!!

25 year-old Alice, is anorexic and dealing with not only her illness, but many other aspects of her life which she has seemingly lost control of. After experiencing heart failure, caused by her low weight, Alice is admitted to a mental hospital. While in the hospital Alice finds her social group, consisting of women with varried disorders. A particular member of this group, Maeve, becomes an essential part in Alice's life. The two embark on 'adventures', making both of their stays at the hospital more bearable. More than a book about surviving eating disorders, I viewed this exceptional novel as an account of one woman's struggle with self discovery. Not every woman struggles with anorexia or lesbianism, but I belive every woman can relate to Alice. This book has made an impact on my life, and I belive everyone can finish this book with some new knowledge about themselves.