Stand Tall Little Girl – review (AD)

The lovely folk at Trigger Publishing kindly surprised me with an advanced copy of Stand Tall Little Girl to review.*

This version of the book is a second edition.

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Synopsis of Stand Tall Little Girl

‘I know how anorexia makes you feel: you think she is your friend, you think she can solve everything and make you feel amazing … but she will destroy you and everything around you, piece by piece.’ – Hope Virgo.

For four years, Hope managed to keep it hidden, keeping dark secrets from friends and family. But then, on 17th November 2007, Hope’s world changed forever.

She was admitted to a mental health hospital. Her skin was yellowing, her heart was failing. She was barely recognisable. Forced to leave her family and friends, the hospital became her home.

Over the next year, at her lowest ebb, Hope faced the biggest challenge of her life. She had to find the courage to beat her anorexia.

In Stand Tall Little Girl, Hope shares her harrowing, yet truly inspiring, journey.

Through her letters and diary entries, Hope tells us how she fought from rock bottom to beat the ‘friend’ that had controlled and nearly destroyed her life. The story of Hope’s recovery will inspire countless others.

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My overall thoughts of Stand Tall Little Girl

This is a very real book; open and honest and at times quite raw. It’s a moving account of Hope’s battle with her “best friend” Anorexia.

Hope is a beautifully honest writer and uses her experiences with the aim of helping others learn about eating disorders and the fact that recovery is possible.

The story flows really well as we’re taken on a journey with Hope from her teenage years, her hospital days and her long road to recovery.

I read the book in two sittings and feel like I have such a better understanding about mental health, the cruel bitch that is Anorexia and the importance of family and friends in supporting you at your times of need.

Hope’s honesty means she doesn’t hold back in her descriptions of her life during her illness or her recovery which allows the reader to really understand how hard living with an eating disorder is not only for the sufferer but for those close to them too.

I really liked that we got to hear from Hope’s mum during the book – to see things through her eyes which gives the reader a totally different perspective of Hope’s illness and recovery. As a mum myself I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for her and the rest of the family.

A massive thank you to Trigger publishing for gifting me this book. I also loved the inclusion of the quotes from Hope too.

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About author Hope Virgo

Hope Virgo is a mental health campaigner and author and an ambassador for the Shaw Mind Foundation. Hope suffered with anorexia for more than four years, before being admitted to a mental health hospital in 2007. She lived in the hospital for a year, fighting one of the hardest battles of her life. Since being discharged, she has fought to stay well.

She is a leading international and award winning advocate with people with eating disorders.

Hope spearheaded the #DumpTheScales campaign which calls on the government to review the eating disorder guidance delivered by clinicians.

She lives and works in London, runs marathons and has a keen interest in exercise and maintaining good mental health.

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*Disclaimer

This review has been written with 100% honesty. 

I was not financially compensated for this post. I was gifted an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed in this post are completely my own based on my own experience.

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Please visit my contact/work with me page for more information.

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