Hunger

320 pages, 2018

Roxane Gay

biographies & memoirs

997 books

Takeaways

Description

In her phenomenally popular essays and long-running Tumblr blog, Roxane Gay has written with intimacy and sensitivity about food and body, using her own emotional and psychological struggles as a means of exploring our shared anxieties over pleasure, consumption, appearance, and health.

As a woman who describes her own body as “wildly undisciplined,” Roxane understands the tension between desire and denial, between self-comfort and self-care. In Hunger, she explores her past—including the devastating act of violence that acted as a turning point in her young life—and brings readers along on her journey to understand and ultimately save herself.

With the bracing candor, vulnerability, and power that have made her one of the most admired writers of her generation, Roxane explores what it means to learn to take care of yourself: how to feed your hungers for delicious and satisfying food, a smaller and safer body, and a body that can love and be loved—in a time when the bigger you are, the smaller your world becomes.

Understanding Body Image

In Hunger, Roxane Gay explores her personal struggle with body image. She shares her journey of living in a world that often judges people based on their physical appearance. This book encourages us to look into our own perceptions about body image and question societal norms.

Impact of Trauma

Gay's book digs deep into the impact of trauma on a person's life. She bravely shares her own experiences, showing how trauma can lead to self-destructive behaviors and unhealthy coping mechanisms. It's a powerful reminder to be compassionate towards those who are dealing with trauma.

The Power of Self-Acceptance

One of the key messages in Hunger is the importance of self-acceptance. Roxane Gay shows us that accepting ourselves, with all our flaws and imperfections, is the first step towards healing and growth. It's a lesson we can all take to heart.

Exploring Feminism and Intersectionality

In her book, Gay explores the concepts of feminism and intersectionality. She discusses the challenges faced by women, particularly those of color, in a patriarchal society. This book encourages us to research more about these topics and understand their implications in our lives.

The Struggle with Weight Loss

Hunger gives us a raw and honest look into the struggle with weight loss. Gay shares her own experiences, shedding light on the physical and emotional challenges that come with it. This book encourages us to see weight loss not just as a physical journey, but also an emotional one.

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Roxane Gay's 'Hunger' is a powerful memoir that is so brave, so raw, it feels as if she is entrusting you with a part of her soul.

Lena Dunham - Actress, Writer, Producer

Roxane Gay's 'Hunger' is a work of staggering honesty, about the struggle to love oneself in a world that doesn't always allow it.

Elizabeth Gilbert - Author, Speaker, Philanthropist

Roxane Gay's 'Hunger' is a deeply personal and profoundly honest exploration of what it means to take care of yourself, and to struggle with self-acceptance.

John Green - Author, Vlogger, Producer

Roxane Gay's 'Hunger' is a courageous, heartbreaking, and deeply human memoir about what it means to live in a body that doesn't fit society's standards.