Hunger for Life
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 Both cover images | |
| Author | Andy Marr |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Coming-of-age, medical fiction |
| Published | 2019 |
| Publisher | Kindle Direct Publishing |
Publication date | 2021 |
| Publication place | Scotland |
| ISBN | 9781082844331 (paperback edition) |
| Followed by | A Matter of Life and Death |
Hunger for Life is a 2019 coming-of-age novel by Scottish author Andy Marr, which explores a man struggling between his anorexic sister, his aging parents, and his new free-spirited Austrian girlfriend, Hannah.[1] Originally a self-published novel via Kindle Direct Publishing, the book received broader critical attention and popularity than expected, particularly for its accurate portrayal of eating disorders. The original book had an emerald-green cover with a photograph of two children on it; later versions had conceptual art sketches in black-and-white pencil.[2]
James has graduated from college and, rather than moving forward and securing long-term employment, he moves back into his childhood home with his parents; the family all struggle to help Emma, James's sister, who suffers from an eating disorder that is slowly consuming her life and her physical health. James feels powerless to help her, and unsure of where his future will go. He finds solace in Hannah, an eccentric free spirit and international student from Austria, but James's father begins retreating from life, concerning James about the possibility of something darker happening to his family. Emma is urged by doctors to gain weight, but she feels incessantly fat and refuses to do as they say. James finds himself torn between his family and his new adult life with Hannah, and has to decide where he stands as an individual.