Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body

In her memoir "Hunger," Roxane Gay explores her relationship with food and her body, addressing issues of pleasure, consumption, appearance, and health. She shares her own emotional and psychological struggles, including a devastating act of violence that shaped her young life. With candor, vulnerability, and authority, Gay examines what it means to be overweight in a society that values thinness. "Hunger" is a powerful and necessary memoir that tells a story that needs to be heard.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 07 June 2018
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

In a desperate attempt to ensure my safety, I indulged in an endless feast, hoping that my size would shield me from harm. I buried the girl I once knew, for she had stumbled into a world of trouble that I could not protect her from. Despite my efforts to erase every memory of her, her presence lingered, haunting me from somewhere deep within.

Trapped within my own body, a shell of who I once was, I found solace in the familiarity of it. Though I barely recognized or understood this vessel, it provided a sense of protection against the outside world. It was a sanctuary where I could hide away from the judgments and expectations that weighed heavily on my shoulders.

In Roxane Gay's powerful memoir, Hunger, she delves into the intricate relationship between food, bodies, and the societal pressures surrounding pleasure, consumption, appearance, and health. As a woman who has grappled with her own wild and undisciplined body, Gay understands the delicate balance between desire and denial, between self-comfort and self-care. Through her candid and vulnerable storytelling, she takes readers on a journey from her childhood, through her teens, and into her twenties, including the devastating act of violence that marked a turning point in her young life.

In Hunger, Gay explores the realities, pains, and joys of her daily life as an overweight woman in a society that often marginalizes and devalues those who don't conform to societal beauty standards. She challenges the notion that being larger means being less visible and offers a poignant reflection on the societal pressures and expectations that weigh heavily on individuals. Gay's writing is filled with bracing candor, vulnerability, and authority, making her one of the most admired voices of her generation.

This deeply personal memoir is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit, and it tells a story that needs to be heard. It is a reminder that we are all complex and multifaceted individuals, and that our bodies are simply vessels through which we navigate the world. Hunger is a powerful exploration of the human experience, and it will leave readers feeling both inspired and challenged.

Weight: 226g
Dimension: 197 x 126 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472153791