I’m currently reading, Wintergirls
by Laurie Halse Anderson. This book is about a girl named Lia who is Anorexic.
It seems to be that her friend died in a motel room, I’m guessing on an
overdose of drugs or suicide. Lia is struggling to keep up with her life with
her stepmom pretending that nothing happened and the ghost of her best friend
following her in her mind. Several times, a line comes up that says, “…body
found in a motel room. Alone…”
This line I think is from the death of Cassie. Lia is
constantly having this line follow her whenever she has a flashback of some
sort. I noticed that Lia is trying to go along with the story that nothing
happened and push away the pain instead of actually realizing that her best
friend is dead. Lia seems to be anorexic to push away herself from the world as
ins he wouldn’t have to deal with the loss. But the line, “…body found in a
motel room. Alone…” keeps bringing her to reality. Only being on page 10, there
isn’t a ton of evidence, but you can tell by lia’s actions towards others how
the death as affected her. Her little stepsister, Emma looks as Lia as a role
model and really admires her. Lia seems to be very protective of Lia. She
treats her as her own sister, which is a lot to say since Lia doesn’t care
about her stepmom at all. Sometimes it seems like Lia loves Emma more than
Jennifer (Lia’s stepmom) does. Part of that might be Lia wanting to be young
and innocent like Emma is. Jenifer also has a very odd relationship with Lia.
She seems to care bu only in a way that she does what she must do which is
asking Lia if she is okay or not. Lai obviously knows that she’s not okay but
would never tell Jenifer that because Jennifer doesn’t really care.
Sometimes that’s all we need in life. Someone who actually
understands you. Jennifer can ask Lia all she wants if she needs anything, but
the fact that Jennifer won’t already know that she needs a counselor for
example is the difference. The sad part is that Lia finds more comfort in Emma
who is 7 than Jennifer. Part of the reason is also because Emma treats her like
any other person and doesn’t pity her, but just knows how to make her feel better
without even knowing it. Also, back to the line about the hotel, it shows that
the incident won’t leave her by being anorexic. A lot of times in life, people think
that running away from problems or situations is what helps. But all Lia really
needs is someone who cares and to help her face the reality.
