Lighter Than My Shadow

Lighter Than My Shadow is Katie Green’s story of her life with anorexia. As a kid, she had the typical struggles with her family over finishing dinner and changing tastes. She was an artist from a young age, spending time alone in her imagination. Sometimes the things she found scared her, and she sought order and rules and rituals as a way to control her world.Her happy childhood was disrupted by oncoming puberty. Her best friend was growing up faster than Katie was, which drove them apart. Then there were bullying boys at school, where Katie’s achievement singled her out for more negative attention. Even her friends were catty to her about her lack of interest in the opposite sex. It all added up to a recipe for seeking ever more control over the one thing in her life she can control absolutely: what she eats. At first, her discipline, giving up junk food to start, made her feel healthy, but it soon came to consume her.Lighter Than My Shadow has a very different look from most graphic novels, as you can see at the book’s website. Her figures are simple, dot-eyed stand-ins that resemble toys, but they have an impressive sense of motion and emotion. The poses are realistic and well-observed.Most of the book is printed on grey or sepia paper, giving the whole thing a gloomy overtone that suits the material and focuses attention on the central figures. There are no gutters, and the borders between panels resemble torn paper edges. The despair that overtakes Green is shown as a black scribble, a simple but potent device that can be used as an overhanging cloud or a looming threat. Later on, she draws herself with a yawning open mouth in her midsection, the perfect image for how thinking about food and eating begins to define her.Green’s portrayal of her life is very approachable, which makes her gradual slide into disorder all the more understandable. Her depiction of her mental state, of how all this made sense to her and even how some attempts at recovery were just more ways of trying to be good, is incredibly truthful. The straightforward art makes this readable by even those not used to comics. I hope this book reaches outside the usual graphic novel readers, because its message of Katie’s journey could help a lot of girls and women realize they’re not alone in their concerns and mental struggles. Anorexics sometimes feel as though they want to erase themselves, and the comic format is a perfect venue to illustrate that literally and symbolically. Her desire to make art infers her well-chosen images, using the visuals to represent her internal state of mind. (Review originally posted at ComicsWorthReading.com.)

This book was recommended from a friend… and it’s something they themselves had to deal with at a younger age… I’ll be truthful.. take your time dear readers… for some it’s another story for others it’s a reflection of who they are or was… this biography really reveals how a person who deals with depression in their own way and why it takes so long to self recover from it… readers please take ur time and breathe if ur ever feeling overwhelmed.. it’s a wonderful tale but foremost it is a truth so remember to take moments to breath and meditate one ur thoughts

First off I love the artwork and dedication to the beautiful illustrations in this pice of art, secondly I could resonate with almost every single page even though I don’t suffer from a severe eating disorder I do have some form of untreated and undiagnosed body dysmorphia. Along with that I also overthink constantly and I this this really shows how overwhelming it can be. I would recommend this book to people who don’t suffer from mental illness because this shows how difficult it can be and I think it could help them better understand. The author manages to put into words and illustrations things that I can never know how to express and I think that is beautiful.

As a person who has struggled with an eating disorder for most of my life, I can say that this is one of only two books that express what sometimes seems impossible to explain. The other is "Wasted" by Marya Hornbacher. The author is extremely talented and I highly recommend this book.

It was a really good book I cried at the end

Wonderful book about dealing with anorexia and recovery. It does also cover sexual abuse, as well. I was very moved by her story.

Easy to read! Surprised by the style of writing in the book but in a good way. I would say it was like reading a comic book. Like comic book style writing. Also, this book is huge!!!

I should really sit down for a longer review. I accidently happened upon this book at a library and didnt put it down. Such a gripping and emotional true story which showcases how disorders compounded on each other and make it worse. Its very humanizing to those suffering with mental anguish and compulsiveness.Also the colors slightly change page to page which is a nice touch.

Diagnosed with anorexia the illustrated books drawing are beautifully created and you font need words to understand the story. However, only personally I returned this extremely long book because I needed a detailed personal account to see if I could find some identification as the eating disorder services are none existent and I've been on the 'hamster wheel' a very long time and as I'm extremely ill this was an attempt at not feeling so alone and maybe find some comfort, answers or new information on the whole curse. The book in my opinion only as a nurse on long term sick and a person with anorexia nervosa and its many accompanying diagnoses would be more suitable for people who maybe find reading difficult, have learning disabilities, are young, like short summaries in words with pictures to further express or appreciate exceptional art. So basically the book itself has no flaws it just was not in my understanding what it was described as.

Absolutely sensational work here from newcomer Katie Green, who has created a timeless piece of eating disorder literature in the graphic novel medium. I wasn't sure what to expect from this, but it can easily hold its own next to work by Art Spiegelman or Alan Moore for the sheer level of emotion and accuracy in its mammoth 500+ pages. You will sit down to read this over the course of a week and find you have finished within a few hours. You will most likely start reading it all over again. Dark, engrossing, devastating, and yet hopeful, this is a heartbreaking narrative of the highest order. If you suffer from an ED, or even if you don't, "Lighter Than My Shadow" deserves a place on your bookshelf. Highly recommended.

This book should be read by anyone who works with young people or comes into contact with them on a regular basis.I have never come across anything that has described my feelings around this subject so accurately. Even though Katie's story is different to mine, the themes and feelings are very much the same. For someone to be able to convey these feelings and thoughts so accurately is really important for professionals to be able to provide the correct support.

Good explanation in pictures. Handy for explaining to family members, although not all the subject matter is relatable due to other people's story. I wouldn't show to children although the feelings pictures offer a realistic view if you go through this with them (but read it for yourself first).I would imagine this is good for professionals beginning to work with eating disorders.

Lighter Than My Shadow is simply amazing. It is rare to find an author with such profound humility and the illustrations are expressive, creative and deeply moving. I think that it would be of benefit to everybody to read this beautiful book. Katie Green has given a very human and heartfelt story of her life here and, as a reader, I can only feel genuinely grateful that she has shared her story in this way. This book is a cut above anything I've read in a good while and its author is a true talent.Buy and read this book at your earliest convenience, you couldn't possibly regret it.