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The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting
- A powerful memoir of overcoming an eating disorder
- Narrated by: Evanna Lynch
- Length: 13 hrs and 2 mins
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The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting
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Publisher's Summary
Gradually, I began to feel this dawning awareness that womanhood was coming for me, that it was looming inevitably, and it didn't feel safe.... While those around me tried to expedite it, simulate it, exacerbate it, I tried to strangle it.
A raw and compelling new memoir from actress and activist Evanna Lynch about the battle between perfection and creativity.
Evanna Lynch has long been viewed as a role model for recovering anorexics, and the story of her casting as Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter films has reached almost mythic proportions. Yet even after recovery, there remains a conflict at the very core of her being: a bitter struggle between the familiar, anesthetising pursuit of perfection and the desire to fully and fearlessly embrace her creativity. In her memoir, Evanna confronts all the complexities and contradictions within herself and reveals how she overcame a life-threatening eating disorder, began to conquer her self-hate and confronted her fear of leaving the neatness and safety of girlhood for the unpredictable journey of being a woman.
Revealing a startlingly accomplished voice, Evanna uses her book to delve into the very heart of a woman's relationship with her own body. Unwilling to let the darkness of her eating disorder eclipse her dreams, but afraid to fully release the certainty and safety of self-destruction, Evanna explores the pivotal moments and choices in her life that led her down the path of creativity and dreaming and away from the empty pursuit of perfection, and reaches towards acceptance of the wild, sensual and unpredictable reality of womanhood. This is a story of the tragedy and the glory of growing up, of mourning girlhood and stepping into the unknown and how that act of courage is the most creatively liberating thing a woman can do.
What listeners say about The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting
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- Anonymous User
- 02-06-2023
Wonderfully written
Highly engaging and entertaining, raw, honest and very insightful. Beautiful, visual writing and a great story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Lisa M. Stibbe
- 17-12-2021
Thank you for sharing your story Evanna!
This was a compelling story! I was unaware of Evanna's struggles, but I am a huge fan of the Harry Potter world and especially Luna Lovegood!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Kelsey Horne
- 07-01-2022
Thoughtful and authentic
An honest and wise account. Created to help not hinder those that suffer from this mental illlness.
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- Ellen Crossman
- 02-01-2022
so inspiring
Absolutely incredible cannot recommend enough. I was completely captivated by evannas words and thoroughly grateful that she chose to write this book
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- M. Loofs Samorzewski
- 25-08-2022
An honest and easily intriguing memoir
I think I connected a lot to Evanna which is why I found this book so rewarding, while her story alone is interesting based purely on her achievements/overcomings I think her approach to this topic in honesty is what made this memoir. She didn’t present some great answer, she told her story; and with that provided many answers and lessons in itself.
My only disappointments for this book was (while number based or specific action based details when describing anorexia are not helpful; so I’m still happy she omitted these) the way that she still seemed to simplify the illness.
Everyone’s experience with it is so different but from my own and others I know I have never heard an experience of anorexia that was just as the media portrays; this lose weight/ completely revolving thinness related issue. (There are many other ways/areas anorexia affects you)
She does talk about the complexities that led into her anorexia, but I wish she had added some more details about the complexities of the illness itself.
Having said that though, she covered a lot in this book so I can’t be too tough! I found it a captivating listen.
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- not telling
- 13-11-2021
Heart breaking beautiful
One of the most heartbreakingly sad, wonderfully uplifting and funny story's that I have enjoyed in a long time.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 28-10-2021
Captivating corners of an impressionable mind
Not normally much of a consumer of non-fiction, thanks to my admiration of Evanna as an actor, activist, and all around human, I thought to give this a go as my first full audiobook ever after she mentioned that it was best heard, not read.
Every spare minute I had, I excitedly flicked back over to Audible to take in Evanna's soothing voice, deeply moving story, and, simply, gripping way with words.
This book is for anyone struggling with the idea of perfection in their daily lives, or witnessing someone struggling with it themselves. In other words, it's for everyone. Bravo.
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- Amazon Customer
- 06-12-2021
I've never felt more understood
Lynch captures the decades long struggles of what it means to grow up and accept yourself (or hopefully one day cherish it). She was able to describe feelings that I have not been able to acknowledge for too many years. I'm recommending this book for anyone who has struggled with self care, knows someone who has, or even anyone wanting to further understand perspectives of those around them.
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- Anonymous User
- 26-05-2022
Captivating and healing
Evanna, this was truly incredible to listen to.
This memoir is raw and heartfelt without all the showy content that often comes with recovery content. No sugar coating (ironic phrasing) but also no dramatisation of weights and behaviours. Her discriptions of how her relationship with food also changed her relationship with family members was eye opening and truly beautiful. The description of circus classes at the end made my heart sing. Loved it!
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- Anonymous User
- 28-09-2022
Gripping Read
I am a big fan of Evanna and have followed her since her Harry Potter days, so I was very keen to read her book. While I have never suffered from an eating disorder, I am all too familiar with the overwhelming feelings of self loathing and the constant battle to change thought patterns. Evanna covers her experience with clarity and brutal honesty. I admire all the more now.
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