Tyranny

by Lesley Fairfield

In Tyranny, brisk, spare text and illustrations that deal head-on with anorexia propel the reader along on Anna’s journey as she falls prey to the eating disorder, personified as her tormentor, Tyranny.

The novel starts with a single question: “How did I get here?” The answer lies in the pages that follow, and it’s far from simple. Pressured by media, friends, the workplace, personal relationships, and fashion trends, Anna descends into a seemingly unending cycle of misery. And whenever she tries to climb out of the abyss, her own personal demon, Tyranny, is there to push her back in. The contest seems uneven, and it might be except for one thing: Anna’s strength of character has given rise to her deadly enemy. Ironically, it is that same strength of character that has the ultimate power to save her from the ravages of Tyranny.

Brilliantly and realistically presented, Tyranny is a must-read for anyone looking for a better understanding of eating disorders and for everyone looking for a compelling page-turner that is truly a story of triumph and hope.

• ISBN10: 0887769039
• ISBN13: 9780887769030
• Publish Date: 13 October 2009
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: CA
• Imprint: Tundra Books
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 120
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780887769030

Reviews

[Jo]

I first heard about this book when I held Body Image and Self-Perfection Month two years ago, when another blogger taking part reviewed it. I was intrigued as to how a graphic novel would deal with such a serious subject, and now I've read it, I'm in two minds.

I think Tyranny is a great way to get your first glimpse of what living with anorexia is like, as it covers years of Anna's life and how it effected her. It's a great way to get the discussion going or at least think about it as an individual, but being a graphic novel, there isn't much opportunity really get into the emotional side of things that comes along with the narrative of a novel. However, Tyranny gets as close as I think a graphic novel can, covering the self-loathing and how those with anorexia see themselves completely differently to what's real. It doesn't shy away from the seriousness of the illness, or how badly things can go. I covers the whole journey right from the very first diet to recovery and becoming well again, and everything inbetween.

However, I do think it isn't as shocking or as scary as it can be on the subject. Maybe it's me; I'm not the biggest fan of graphic novels, or maybe it's the length, I read it in about 10-15 minutes, but I found myself detached from the story. It wasn't as hard hitting as I think a story about such things should be.

I also wasn't the biggest fan of the style, the language was very simple and almost childlike, and I found the character of Tyranny to be annoying and pretty silly, rather than freaky. I still say it's a pretty good introduction into the fiction side of things to do with this subject, and well worth a read.

From Once Upon a Bookcase - YA book blog