Find out what Mumsnetters thought of The Food of Love by Amanda Prowse

My daughter went through a period when she said she was too fat but was anything but. It would be interesting to read this from the teens perspective as I sometimes think I'm too close and worry too much.

There's something about this book that doesn't work. Firstly I found the style of writing particular unlike previous Amanda Prowse books: as if she'd been advised to update her writing.......but I liked her previous style.
There was very little story to this book. We have one character with anorexia who has a mother and a father but little else. Even the sister could have added some balance if her character had been developed and offer a break from the continued struggle around food.
Also the ending of a somewhat miraculous recovery was somewhat unrealistic.
I just hope her next release has more substance to it.

I found this a difficult book to get into initially, but the details of Lexi's struggle with anorexia were very moving.

However, I find letters used in books very offputting as they seem to stop the smooth flow of the writing, and would have preferred just the gist of these to have been given.

my child hasn't read this one just yet

wow this was a very hard book to read about a subject I know very little about, really scary that ones own children could suffer from this illness and how would I feel or cope with it, I could see myself in the parents own shoes acting the same way thinking the same way not knowing which way to turn or what to do for the best to help my child

I enjoyed this book. It was a difficult topic and something I often think about regarding DD(9). I worry that the world she inhabits is full of imagery creating an unobtainable persona. It was refreshing to read a fiction book about this through the eyes of a parent.

I didn't like how Lockie was so uninvolved with the story though. I felt he could have been much more prominent and his counterpoint argument stronger. It felt that Freya was bloody deluded at points. There were a couple of chapters where I was so frustrated with her enabling that it made reading on difficult.

Also, the way in which they glossed over the pro-ana sites really annoyed me. I felt that certain elements could have been examined more in detail.

Overall though I did enjoy it and the light style of writing made a difficult subject matter easy to digest.

Thank you for the copy Mumsnet.

When i started reading this book I thought this is going to be a nice easy read. As I read on although the style of writting makes it easy to read the topic and story makes it an emotionally hard book to read. There were a few tears in places. A really raw look at a taboo subject. A really great book.

Only started this book last week and about 6 chapters in so far but I'm hooked already, found the story easy to get into, really enjoying it so far and can't wait to find out what happens - will add more once finished thanks again for my copy MN!

Thanks mumsnet for my free copy of this book. I was initially a bit sceptical of this book thinking that it might be a bit 'chick-litty' and initially my concerns were confirmed in the first few chapters. I found the presentation of the family a bit sickly sweet and found the bantering relationship between the married couple very jarring. However, I quickly got past that. I found that the issue of anorexia was sensitively and convincingly portrayed and I particularly liked the way in which the impact on the sister was explored and also liked the small subplot of the next-door neighbours. I think the devestating impact of this illness on a whole family was powerfully captured. I did find the 'happy ending' at the end slightly nauseating and too much for my liking but overall I enjoyed the book much more than I thought I would and would recommend it to anyone wanting to learn more about the lived experience of an eating disorder.

I haven't read it but is sounds like a book you can't put down once started.

Thanks for my copy. I found this book tricky to get into at first, it seemed very dialogue heavy but once I clicked with the author's style I couldn't put it down. I have read quite a lot of books about eating disorders but this was the first one that described it in such an honest way - vile, brutal, destructive. I was so frustrated by the characters Lexi and Freya - they were both so incredibly selfish. But this is the reality of the situation. I talk far too much about my weight and food and this book has shocked me as my young daughters could be listening and forming ideas about what their bodies should look like. An uncomfortable read. I was most impressed by the info about the author and how she only began writing novels in her forties. I will seek out her other books as this left me thinking about the characters well after I finished reading.

SpoilersI have finished this book and I may be going against the grain slightly but, as well as the book being emotional, well written and very indepth, I was also frustrated and sometimes agast by how the mum character dealt with the situation. I have a late teenage daughter, so I am more than aware of all of the trials and tribulations that go hand in hand with them. So I put myself into the same position frequently throughout the read, and I could not relate to the constant need for the mum to enable her daughter. I would have had everything imaginable done to help her, if my daughter was in the same position, if that meant she goes into a facility, so be it.
I found the story compelling, I was lost in it from beginning to end and I was not sure how things were actually going to end, until I realised the letters were written in the present tense, so a bit of a give away. The bullying from what was assumed a close friend, the effect on the overlooked older sister and changing relationship between husband and wife, all laid bare. And how it tendrils out to friends and family, all here and well explained.
I will pass this book on for my friend to read and look forward to hearing her views and well as everyone on the thread

I read this after reading Perfect Daughter by Amanda Prowse, (Another great read BTW, ;) !) I couldn't help feeling deeply sad as I read this. So accurate in the insight into the way an eating disorder affects everyone in the family. As a Mum, I found it quite harrowing at times

Loved this, such a poingnant subject, well written, am now ordering her other books through the library
Thanks for the free copy

Wow - what an emotional read. I finished this yesterday and can't stop thinking about how well-written it was. As a mother it was easy to relate to Freya's guilt as she is faced with the extent of Lexi's illness. The author is particularly good at describing how each member of the family is affected by anorexia 'arriving' into their home. I think the initial stage of denial is one that most of us would go through. I have family relatives who have suffered from both anorexia and bulimia and parts of the book were very difficult to read. I was literally reading passages with tears streaming down my face. The book was well researched - I'll definitely look out for more by this author.

Such an emotional and poignant read. This book deals with a subject we should all be aware of but the insight into eating disorders is amazing. Can't stop thinking about the characters.

What an amazing book. So emotional. So enlightening. I normally don't read this type of book but once I started I could not put it down. I had to get to the end of it to see if Lexi survived. It is so humanly written. You feel for all the family. A must read for all mothers. Perhaps especially with daughters. I won't forget such a compelling & heart-wrenching story interspersed with some good food ideas! I am full of praise for Amanda Prowse handling the situation with such tenderness.

My copy arrived in time for a weekend read and I could not put it down. Amanda Prowse has a totally believable style of writing and several of the scenes could have been in my household with sisters being best friends one minute and hating each other the next, the belief that one sister is loved more than the other, the storming upstairs and slamming into their bedroom and so on.

But whilst I have three daughters, I have to date been spared the eating disorders, and it was emotionally demanding reading what an impact it had on such a tightly knit family. Like Freya I think I would have denied it to start with and thought I could sort the problem out because we are their mums and know best, which made it extra depressing to see Lexi's downward journey.

I loved the idea if ever they were parted they would send notes to each other and those left by each individual member of the family were tear jerking. I was almost glad we were spared the experience of Lexi's time in the psychiatric facility of Morningside as I am sure it would have been one horror story after another and totally harrowing.

In summary the book gave a realistic insight of just what an effect an eating disorder can have on a seemingly happy family. Well done Amanda Prowse!

Thank you for my copy of The Food Of Love. I've finished it already!
This is the first book by Amanda Prowse I've read before but it definitely won't be the last. Really easy and enjoyable to read.

The books seems to have been very well researched showing the great lengths anorexia sufferers go to to conceal their illness and the effect it has on all the family. It also shows it not as simple as telling someone they have to eat as the father eventually comes to realise.

My only criticism really is that I would have liked to read more of Lexis journey before we get to read the epilogue. Overall I really enjoyed the book.

received my free prize copy today really looking forward to reading it after some of posts posted here

I really struggled with this. It really hit home how lucky I am.

I was inspired to download this book today after these few reviews.

As a mother of an anorexic daughter who has recently relapsed, it was a stunningly accurate portrayal. There were moments in the book that I was sure the author plucked from scenes in my own kitchen! I read it in one sitting, whilst crying a lot of the time and reliving moments that were brought back to me.

But far from being saddened by it, I'm uplifted to see something written so well about a subject so many shy away from (or write inaccurately about). I can only assume the author has first hand knowledge of how devastating this illness is and I hope her "Lexi" has fully recovered.

It's a tough read for anyone who has been there, but a brilliant one for anyone who has never quite understood eating disorders and the effect they have on families.

I finished reading the book, and would say it may be a difficult read for some people as it deals with the topic of anorexia, the character in the book Lexi, and her families battle and sheer desperation over this illness, how it effected the family, and how poor Charlotte the sister had to see her parents give Lexi all their attention, and how it affected her life too. I can imagine the author of the book did a lot of research into how anorexia takes over a families life, as indeed any illness does, it is a hard read, but I feel well worth it, but stress again for any family affected by any illness, especially that of a child, it is a difficult read. Thank you.

I thought this book was FAB! eating disorders are such a devasting thing in today's day and age, and following the story and how it all unravelled from a sufferers point of view was a real eye opener. It also showed how it effects other members of the family, a must read for some very relevant issues we face today x

Looking forward to reading this one!