Tyranny by Lesley Fairfield

Title: Tyranny
Author: Lesley Fairfield
Illustrator: Lesley Fairfield
Publisher: Tundra Books
Copyright: 2009
Price: $10.95
ISBN: 978-0-88776-903-0
-----------
Summary and Quick Thoughts: A startling image greets the reader when the book is opened: a skinny, line drawing monster is holding an unnaturally thin young woman telling her not to eat. The skinny, ling drawing monster is Tyranny, Anna’s manifestation of her eating disorder. Anna started out a normal child, but as she entered her teen years, body image issues run rampant. Throughout this thought provoking story, Anna struggles with her eating disorder, facing women suffering from the same issues as herself, and opportunities to change her ways, only to slip back down into depression on top of her eating disorders. Tyranny guides her along this slippery slope until she starts the healing process.
---------
Will Teens Like It? It is appropriate for teens who are facing eating disorders or friends who have eating disorders.
--------
Things to be aware of: mild nudity
----------
Further Thoughts: With such an image as described above, who would not want to dive deeper into this story? Pages turned as I read this, and surprisingly, I was able to pick up the subtle clues the author/illustrator “peppered” throughout the story. For example, in the first half of the book, mirrors have a little note in the corner stating “Mirrors don’t lie.” From the story, we know that mirrors can lie as evidenced from Anna’s thinning body to her perception in the mirror that she is “plump.” From this point of view, it is easy to see how easily and quickly someone with an eating disorder could fall into the traps of “I’m not thin enough.” As a character, Anna is lucky and so is the author/illustrator.

For the author/illustrator, this is her first graphic novel and she has also battled anorexia and bulimia. Her own personal battles, I am sure, helped shape this strong graphic novel. The chosen art style of simple black, white, and grays suit the story and allow for images of Anna fading away, being thin, and her thoughts.

As I read this title, I couldn’t help think of a graphic novel I read on depression years ago which proved to be somewhat helpful bibliotherapy. This title, paired carefully, is a wonderful bibliotherapy tool for anyone suffering from bulimia, anorexia, or any other eating disorder (although, to note, the opposite view of eating all the time is only touched upon briefly).
------
Bonus: This WAS an ALA GGN Nomination. Disappointed to see it didn't make the cut.

Source: Library copy.