Wintergirls

By: Laurie Halse Anderson

When I first picked up this book. I was mildly intrigued by its cover. Little did I know that it would leave me in tears by the end. This is one of the best books that I have read in a while. Anderson’s poetic pen seeps into her prose, as she narrates the story of one young girl, Lia, who struggles with anorexia. When her best friend Cassie dies due to bulimia, Lia starts slipping back into her old habits and is pressured to seek help, by her loved ones, against her will. In the end, she is faced with the choice to live for the future, or let herself be haunted, and slowly devoured, by the mistakes of her past. I usually have a wide taste in books, and enjoy a variety of genres, but this book is one that everyone must read at some point in their lives. I honestly believe that it has a powerful and impactful message, that will be essential, and relatable to people of all different backgrounds.

Why ‘Wintergirls?’

While I was reading the novel, my mind continued to drift back to the significance of the title. Why would Anderson call the book ‘Wintergirls’ of all the potential names? But as I continued to read I noticed the various allusions to winter, and ice. Lia is frozen between a choice that could ultimately be life or death. She could continue starving herself, or work for her hopes and dreams of the future. Similarly, Winter is when the flowers are covered in a layer of frost, and when the branches of trees are left naked and bear. It is the precursor to spring, the season of growth and change. Lia is trapped somewhere between childhood and adulthood. Everyone has to experience these difficult Winter moments at some point in their life. What matters is summoning the strength to push forward.