Sample Saturday is when I wade through the eleventy billion samples I have downloaded on my Kindle. I’m slowly chipping away and deciding whether it’s buy or bye.
The Time in Between by Nancy Tucker
Why I have it: Fairly sure Bookish Beck recommended it.
Summary: When Nancy Tucker was eight years old, her class had to write about what they wanted in life. She thought, and thought, and then, though she didn’t know why, she wrote: ‘I want to be thin.’ Over the next twelve years, she developed anorexia nervosa.
I’m thinking: Yes – excellent writing.
Heavy by Kiese Laymon
Why I have it: Not sure.
Summary: Laymon charts his complex relationship with his mother, grandmother, anorexia, obesity, sex, writing, and ultimately gambling.
I’m thinking: No (wondering about parallels with Hunger).
Out of the Forest by Gregory Smith
Why I have it: Not sure.
Summary: For ten years a man calling himself Will Power lived in near-total isolation in northern New South Wales, foraging for food and occasionally trading for produce. He finally emerged from the forest, emaciated, and reclaimed his real name and life. Today, Dr Gregory Smith, who left school at fourteen, has a PhD and teaches at university.
I’m thinking: Maybe – sucked in by the amazing story.
The Smith sounds the most intriguing to me. Does his PhD thesis have anything to do with his experience in the forest?
You could have encountered Nancy Tucker’s second book on my blog; probably not this one, but it’s also very good and I’m pleased her writing drew you in 🙂
The last of these most appeals – was it a considered experiment in living or something more instinctive?
My understanding was that it was instinctive- he dropped out of society.