This novel is arresting and heartbreaking. It is not overly emotional, but finds a way to be just the right amount. I cannot praise this novel more. This should be required reading. I have never read a more compelling, intense, and accurate view of eating disorders and the support systems behind recovery.

This was a heart wrenching story about the effects of eating disorders. It showed the devastating effects on the mind and body and relationships of those suffering. It also explored the traumas that often lead a person to the eating disorder. The girls we met at 17 Swann Street each had their own struggles and journey. It was nice to see how each of them understood how their housemates were feeling even if their process with the disorder didn't look alike.

While I wouldn't say that I enjoyed this book, as it explores a subject that is not enjoyable, I did find the story to be captivating and well told. I think that it showed a good mixture of the struggles and anxiety one faces when they are battling an eating disorder. I also thought it did well in showing that some people don't overcome their disorder, while others do get to a place where they can function in every day life and make the food choices they need to make to survive and sustain life.

I haven't read many books that deal with this issue and I am glad to see this book written. A lot of young girls and women struggle with eating, food, weight issues and this helps bring those conversations out into the open.

This was a difficult for read me, which is why I initially stopped reading this novel, but decided to finish it, after reading so many great reviews. It wasn't the subject matter, which was the reason for me to stop reading, but I struggled to sustain an interest in this novel at all. I decided I would start from the beginning, since I had developed a new perspective, as a result of all the great and provocative emotional reviews.

The story revolves around a former dancer, Anna who suffers from an eating disorder known as anorexia and deep depression, and her courageous battle to overcome these two afflictions. She enters a Rehab facility and this is where the author expands on Anna's character and the grueling, psychological and haunting journey she must endure.

From the public's perspective, we only witness the beauty and elegance, which is displayed at their performances, without realizing the hidden emotional and physical devastation this can have on dancers.

The book is beautifully written and the author preserves the dignity of Anna as it should. The book throughout this reading can be emotionally draining, as we see into the life of Anna.. The extreme and difficult demands, which is slowly tearing Anna apart are attributed to the tragic psychological and physical toll it starts to take over Anna's everyday existence. It's the slow deterioration of Anna, which we observe and we are gradually drawn into Anna's world. Her painful experiences gradually draw us into feeling her painful journey, which only worsens throughout her journey.

The obsession of weight loss and eating disorders, brought about with deep depression is mainly experienced by women for all sorts of reasons, with most of them being hard to comprehend, as a male. Female readers of this novel might find some of them as comparable experiences and traits, one might identify with.

As a male, this novel really opened my eyes to how prevalent anorexia can be and how understanding and compassionate we must be, when approaching such a devastating condition. The author successfully and admirably balances anorexia, Anna's personal struggle with it, the severity of deep depression and an emotionally charged and delicate matter, in a way that not only creates and acute awareness, but also how tragic it is.

This was a new author for me and I was a bit leery going into this book but still found myself pulled into reading it. The storyline revolves around Anna who was a dancer and has been battling anorexia for year until it gets to a point where she is down to 88 pounds.

This is the story of her time at a rehab facility and the other girls who are there for eating disorders. It is a wake up call for Anna and it can be very detailed at time and in the beginning of the book I wasn't sure about this story, but was quickly pulled in and wanted to know if Anna would be able to actually eat food other than an apple and overcome her obsession to be thin.

4.5 stars

Wow! I was so intrigued with this book when I read the description, asking myself am I going to enjoy this? Its a very thought provoking look at a womans journey thru life with depression & anorexia, and how it affects the people in her life. Through this harrowing journey you will be uncomfortable & heartbroken but enlightened.

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a complete blind read for me. I did not know what I was in for when I started reading. It was a pure joy to read this book and be educated about something I know nothing about. I have never understood eating disorders, as I have never suffered with one. I certainly feel educated now and more knowledgeable about what someone with a disorder goes through.

Wonderful writing and powerful storytelling. I felt as though I were part of the group. Highly recommend.

All the feels! My goodness.
You never really understand an eating disorder until you live it. Luckily I haven't. This book is an eye opener. Heartbreaking!

This was not an easy read. If you have struggled with eating or weight or body issues, you may struggle with this novel as well. I almost gave up on the book several times.

That said, I found myself engrossed in the last fourth of the book and could not put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

The Girls at 17 Swann Street is a heartbreaking story following a woman who suffers from an eating disorder. The story alternates between her present experience at a treatment center and the past that led her there. It is well-written, authentic, and illuminating. While the story is difficult, the author does an amazing job of describing Anna's feelings - it helped me understand her disorder and it's impact on family and friends. I highly recommend The Girls at 17 Swann Street.

Wow! This was an incredibly moving story. I learned so much and now see eating disorders in a whole new light.
Gripping and heartbreaking , this story will leave you cheering for Anna to press forward and reach her goals.

Very likable characters!

An emotional read about the woes of anorexia. This book definitely keeps you turning the pages. The Girls at 17 Swann Street will definitely bring out a lot of emotion in you.

I will definitely read this author again.

The story and the characters of the The Girls at 17 Swann Street by Yara Zgheib are compelling. The world outside fades away as these women struggle moment by moment with eating disorders. The women and the place becomes real to the point that I wonder if the place actually exists - not treatment centers which I know do but this actual place which I know does not. I hope that Anna will recover but fear that she may not. A memorable story.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2019/05/the-girls-at-17-swann-street.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

Engaging book, descriptive. Compelling characters and tragic powerful story that grips you from the first word to the last

I tried to read this and enjoy it but the subject matter - eating disorders- is very sad and almost incomprehensible for someone who has no experience with it. I think it probably very relevant and possibly helpful for those who suffer or have suffered through anorexia and body image.

I found The Girls at 17 Swann Street to be an enlightening story about eating disorders. While I could tell the author did her research on the subject and I appreciated that I couldn't get past her apparent disregard for quotation marks. I was constantly wondering if we have slipped into the past again or who was speaking and even if it was out loud or in someone's head.

Reading books where eating disorders are the focus can be hit or miss. I found the concept of a book centered around a group home for women with eating disorders interesting and wanted to know more. Zgheib's debut was full of powerful messages about the lies we tell ourselves when mental illness takes over and how far we will go to maintain some semblance of control.

I easily read the book in one sitting even with the uncomfortable subject matter. I believe the author did her research before writing the story and it showed. All together thought provoking and heartbreaking, The Girls will definitely make you think.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read it in record time as I had to know how things turned out for Anna. Anna was a professional ballet dancer who developed anorexia. We follow her journey at 26 years old as she is sent to a home of girls dealing with the same illness. Un-put-downable!

I was really looking forward to reading this book, having a friend who has survived anorexia. This is a look into what it's like going through treatment and the constant thoughts of food and never being thin enough is like. Told through the story of Anna, a former dancer from Paris who moves to the United States with her husband Matthias. The book follows Anna's struggles in residential treatment facility and the struggles of her fellow patients who are battling their own eating disorders (Bulimia and Anorexia).

Overall, the book was a pretty quick read. There wasn't anything shocking or momentous that stood out about it but if you're curious about what it's like to go through an eating disorder or treatment for an eating disorder then this is a good place to start!

This is a truly captivating book. While this is not Yara Zgheibs' first book, it is her debut in adult fiction. Yara covers the clinical aspects of this disease, covering the statistics, but with Anna's story we get the human element, the understand of the emotions that lead to an eating disorder, the social forces. The balance between the two is important and what makes this story one that readers can connect with.

Anna's decent into anorexia reads much like a diary and it's one that is heartbreaking and haunting - yet it remain hopeful. Anna understands how she got to "this place", this home for woman trying to deal with this disease. Anna has one that that keeps her there, yet pulls her away. The desire to be home with her husband Matthias.

Anna's time in the treatment home is split between the act of eating, the thoughts consuming the patient and the control they lose be being there, as well as the interactions with the other patients. Much of the story is this element, navigating the rules and driving her desire to get better. I had personal reasons for connecting with her plight, and I enjoyed getting Anna's history. I found that I really cared about this character and with what she experiences.

"Everyone around me thinks I have a problem. Everyone around me is scared. I do not have a problem. I just have to lose a little bit of weight. I am scared, too, but not of gaining weight. I am terrified of life. Of a sad and unfair world. I do not suffer from a sick brain. I suffer from a sick heart."

Zgheib really gets at the heart of it, this is not simply choosing to eat or not eat. There is something driving the disease, whether it's mental, emotional or physical. The patients are there for protection because clearly they are not getting the right care, but the treatments methods aren't always right for everyone. But clearly they have to start somewhere.

I recommend this book to , well everyone. It would be easy to say that those going through anything similar might want to read it, but this really a story about a woman taking very brave steps to concur her illness, to find a happier self, contentment, recovery.

"a haunting portrait of a young woman’s struggle with anorexia on an intimate journey to reclaim her life."  This statement perfectly describes my feelings toward this novel.

I really enjoyed this one, it was simplistic in style but read hauntingly beautifully.  There is a lot of heartache and heartbreak within these pages.  Zgheib did a wonderful job at depicting the mental struggle that eating disorders are.  I also thought it was a very real touch with her treatment plan updates, and discussion on co-occurring mental health diagnoses  throughout the novel.  Though Anorexia is the main ED covered, Zgheib includes are storyline of Bulimia.  You get to read the harrowing  internal struggle of the main character, Anna, and how her actions put strain on her relationships.

While Zgheib's novel can be considered a trigger to those currently or previously experiencing an ED, it is also a great eye opener to the other side of things to those who have family/friends who struggle.