Hungy vs. Unbearable Lightness

I have now read both Hungry by Crystal Renn and Unbearable Lightness by Portia de Rossi. Both I enjoyed immensely. But in case you are unsure which to read first or if you want to read both, here is a little comparison.

 

Hungry is a model's tale about anorexia. Crystal Renn is trying to make it as a model in New York but is failing because her misery is interfering with her ability to perform. In the end Renn realizes she must give up her extreme dieting and over-exercising if she wants to be happy and also successful. Renn's story gives insight into the modeling industry and the art of modeling and photography. The main underlying concept on body image is that everyone tends to be a certain weight and you live a balanced life you will settle into that weight.

I like the modeling industry info and the "accept who you are" concept. It was well written and filled with interesting facts about the health of people over 30bmi. I felt that Renn avoided being too emotional. She admits having a difficult life but seems to not want to link her behavior to any neurosis stemming from early life experiences. 

 

Unbearable Lightness is an actor's tale of anorexia, bulimia, and self-loathing. Portia de Rossi takes the reader on a terrifying tale of dieting, binging and purging, and a life of hating herself because she is gay. This book illustrates the horror of disordered eating. Finally after almost killing herself de Rossi starts a long road of recovery and finally tells her loved ones she is gay.

I like this book because it is like watching a train wreck. It is satisfying because in the end de Rossi finally is able to see her sexuality in a positive light. Also, I like that de Rossi's main tool in fighting her ED is to give up obsessing over food and herself. She finds love and realizes she is not the center of the universe.

Comparison

If you want to read about a person and their disgusting yet I-can't-look-away problems, then Unbearable Lightness is for your. If you want to read about a disease and an industry that ties itself to it while also learning some very interesting facts, then Hungry is for you.