In "Dead Weight," Emmeline Clein embarks on a poignant exploration of disordered eating, weaving together her personal journey with the stories of others—historical figures, pop culture icons, and the girls she's encountered along the way. With a deeply compassionate and fiercely feminist lens, Clein challenges societal norms and delves into the complexities of femininity, body image, and the pervasive influence of diet culture.

From her own struggles with the thin ideal to the harrowing realities of residential treatment centers, Clein paints a raw and urgent portrait of an epidemic rooted in racism and misogyny. Through a kaleidoscope of sources, from cult classic films to medieval texts, Clein exposes the cultural, economic, and political forces at play, urging for radical acceptance and solidarity among women and feminized people.

What sets "Dead Weight" apart is Clein's unwavering commitment to liberation and intersectional feminism. She navigates the intersection of queerness and femininity with both incisiveness and compassion, highlighting how societal expectations intertwine with personal identity. Clein's prose is both lyrical and evocative, inviting readers into a world where food becomes a battleground for control in a society that devalues feminized bodies.

Throughout the book, Clein deftly dismantles the binaries and hierarchies that dictate our understanding of bodies, urging us to embrace the messiness of girlhood and reject the notion that our worth is tied to our size. She challenges diagnostic hierarchies and medical norms, advocating for a more compassionate and holistic approach to healing.

While "Dead Weight" shines in its exploration of disordered eating and feminist solidarity, there are moments where it falls short. The parallels between disordered eating and other mental illnesses under capitalism are touched upon briefly but warrant further exploration. However, Clein's introspective and emotive style ensures that even in its shortcomings, the book remains sincere and heartfelt.

Overall, "Dead Weight" is a powerful and revelatory polemic that demands our attention. Clein's blend of personal anecdotes, reflective language, and poetic expression creates a narrative that is both captivating and thought-provoking. At its core, Clein’s debut refuses to turn away from the ugly and the painful, instead seeking to pull survivors from the wreckage. I’m grateful to have discovered a new sister who is also pursuing this endeavor. Thank you, Emmeline, for sharing your story and for the work of this book. It’s a revolution. 

📖 Recommended For: Advocates of Feminist Liberation, Supporters of Body Neutrality, Critics of Diet Culture, Fans of Roxane Gay's "Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body” and Melissa Broder’s “So Sad Today.”

🔑 Key Themes: Feminist Solidarity, Intersectionality, Fat Liberation, Harm Reduction, Deconstructing Medical Norms, Queer Femininity, Capitalism's Impact on Bodies, Sisterhood, Body Neutrality.