Wasted Updated Edition: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia

"An unsparing, terrifying, razor-edged self-portrait that cuts right into the heart of this most paradoxical of psychological disorders.” — Patricia Chao author of Monkey King

A classic of psychology and eating disorders, now reissued with an important, and perhaps controversial, new afterword by the author, Wasted is New York Times bestselling author Marya Hornbacher’s highly acclaimed memoir that chronicles her battle with anorexia and bulimia.

Vivid, honest, and emotionally wrenching, Wasted is the memoir of how Marya Hornbacher willingly embraced hunger, drugs, sex, and death—until a particularly horrifying bout with anorexia and bulimia in college forever ended the romance of wasting away.

In this updated edition, Hornbacher, an authority in the field of eating disorders, argues that recovery is not only possible, it is necessary. But the journey is not easy or guaranteed. With a different ending to her story that adds a contemporary edge, Wasted continues to be timely and relevant.

This unflinching memoir is a descent into the reality of a life-threatening illness, exploring:

• Co-occurring Disorders: A rare, unflinching look at the grueling reality of battling both anorexia and bulimia, from the obsessive rituals of starvation to the chaotic cycle of bingeing and purging.
• Childhood Eating Disorder: A raw and honest exploration of how a life-threatening illness can take root, beginning for Hornbacher at the startling age of nine.
• An Unsparing Self-Portrait: More than a medical history, this is a razor-edged look at the psychology of self-destruction and the internal logic that drives the "romance of wasting away."
• Recovery and Relapse: This updated edition includes a powerful new afterword where Hornbacher revisits her story, offering a contemporary perspective on the difficult, non-linear path of recovery.

A classic of psychology and eating disorders, now reissued with an important and perhaps controversial new afterword by the author, Wasted is New York Times bestselling author Marya Hornbacher's highly acclaimed memoir that chronicles her battle with anorexia and bulimia.

Vivid, honest, and emotionally wrenching, Wasted is the story of how Marya Hornbacher willingly embraced hunger, drugs, sex, and death—until a particularly horrifying bout with anorexia and bulimia in college forever ended the romance of wasting away.

In this updated edition, Hornbacher, an authority in the field of eating disorders, argues that recovery is not only possible, it is necessary. But the journey is not easy or guaranteed. With a new ending to her story that adds a contemporary edge, Wasted continues to be timely and relevant.

“An unsparing, terrifying, razor-edged self-portrait that cuts right into the heart of this most paradoxical of psychological disorders.” - Patricia Chao

“A gritty, unflinching look at eating disorders....written from the raw, disintegrated center of young pain....Hornbacher describes [such phenomena] with a stark candor that captures both their pain and underlying purposes....She is wise beyond her years.” - New York Times Book Review

“A scary but tentatively triumphant memoir....Told with grace, sharp humor, and candor.” - San Francisco Chronicle

“Startlingly frank, breathtakingly emotive.” - Elle

“A memoir that resonates with unflinching candor and ironic wit, Wasted is a book that can save lives. The courage that prompted it awes me. Yes, this one is not to be missed.” - Dorothy Allison

“A scary but tentatively triumphant memoir....[Told] with grace, sharp humor and candor.” - San Francisco Chronicle

“This is a terrifically well-written book, completely devoid of self-pity.” - Entertainment Weekly

“A scary but tentatively triumphant memoir...[Told] with grace, sharp humor and candor.” - San Francisco Chronicle

“An unsparing, terrifying, razor-edged self-portrait that cuts right into the heart of this most paradoxical of psychological disorders.” - Patricia Chao author of Monkey King

“Her book will be value not only to fellow sufferers: Any woman who has ever been made gleeful by the diminishing of her physical self will gain from reading this painful and sharp-boned account. ” - Newsday

“Hornbacher writes like an artist, shaping her themes without self-pity or self-importance, wondering with intelligence why the dissatisfaction everyone feels with life is so often blamed on the female body.” - Village Voice

“Powerful, compelling, intelligent....A memoir that has the tension and movement of a well-paced novel. You simply cannot put Wasted down.” - San Diego Union Tribune

“Stunning...A tortured-yet-compelling account of a life spent bingeing, purging, and starving...A primal scream of a story sure to resonate even with those who possess a healthy attitude toward food and weight.” - Glamour