Tyranny

by Lesley Fairfield

[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