Ink In Water is a really unique book: an autobiography of an eating disorder, told via an atypical format (graphic novel), by someone you wouldn't normally suspect would deal with something like this (a confident, creative punk rock girl). Both, I think, really add to this. The visuals do such a great job of conveying the emotions and mental struggle that lies at the root of disordered eating and exercise, and as we see a "tough" girl fall into this disorder, it dawns on the reader that this type of thing can and does happen to anyone - no stereotypes, no judging.

To me, the most important part of Lacy's journey is how what started out as behaviors our society deems "normal" - counting and restricting calories, exercising quite a lot - quickly became a BIG problem. This really highlights what a slippery slope this type of thinking can be, and makes you question whether or not we should be glorifying behavior that's actually not entirely healthy.

I do wish Lacy had added a bit more about what, if any, realizations she's had about what triggered her disorder - it seemed to me that <spoiler>Henry left</spoiler> because of <spoiler>her being drunk and how it made him feel as a recovering addict</spoiler>, not Lacy's "size," and that her obsession took hold as a way to grasp some bit of control when things in her life felt out of her control. Same with the purging that began after <spoiler>Gia died.</spoiler> I hope that she's finding some way to face and deal with that need to control, and that when another event happens that bumps her axis, this awful disorder doesn't resurface.

This is a really good book, but it's the kind of book where it's hard to separate the feelings you have for it from the thoughts of the real-life story and the person behind it. So yes, it's empowering how the character shrugs off a lot of crap she gave herself from bulimia, anorexia, manic exercising and so on. But it still crossed my mind that there were other issues - the fact she finally reinvents herself as a kind of amateur power-builder suggests to me her issues may have been with an obsessive mind, and not exclusively diet-related. What do I know, as I'm not an expert, but I exercise none, eat what I like and drink too much, and I find myself in the happy zone she finally found - and yet we're both of the opinion the other has got there through unhealthy means.

Still, enough about me - this book really does speak to so many people, and I've got nothing but good will for it when it comes to slamming the diet industry and the scum who enforce their ideas of the 'perfect' body image on to others. I've known too many people to be too worried about their weight, size and looks - thank the leaf (in-joke, never mind) I don't have enough of the latter to make it a relevant issue for me. This book, then, with its powerful imagery and wonderful variety in design, is high up there in the stack of corrective volumes that might - just might - sway someone you love from stressing about their gut. It can feel a little repetitive at times, but like any exercise routine it breaks from that, there's a shower at the end, and then hopefully a glance at the mirror with no problems. Definitely recommended.

I've been enjoying witnessing more and more genres taking advantage of the graphic novel format, and while I've read several historical and instructional graphic novels, this was the first memoir graphic novel I have come across and I think the story used the graphic novel format to the full advantage.
The story is dark and tumultuous story about Lacy and her struggle with self image, relationships and herself. Lacy's story chronicles the beginnings of her eating disorder, the friends who cared about her, and what it meant to get better.
The use of the graphic novel format lends the story a depth of emotion that is hard to achieve with words alone. The illustrations have two distinct styles, a first, more line-defined style dominates much of the story telling, but a second style with fuzzy lines and a watercolor quality convey most of the dark thoughts and emotions that make this combination of story and artwork so visceral.
I do not have an eating disorder, but I know people who have struggled with and are in recovery from one. After reading Lacy's story, I know that I may never fully understand what it is like to struggle with an addiction like she did, but I feel a little more prepared to be there for those in my life as they battle their own demons.

I really enjoyed this graphic novel. It has a great message about body image and self acceptance.

Every now and then you come across a book that is so needed, so poignant, and yet so incredibly difficult to respond to in words rather than tears. For me, that was this book. Ink In Water is not for the faint of heart, but it’s most definitely a book that ought to be read.

The artwork was so insanely expressive and it did an incredible job of conveying the inner turmoil of Lacy’s dark thoughts. The choice to print in greyscale was particularly metaphoric as recovery from eating disorders is rarely black and white. A lot of the imagery was uncomfortable to look at, but this was never meant to be an easy read. But with that being said, those parts depicting happiness, love, and genuine recovery were beautifully rendered and uplifting. However, the element that I found most striking was the artistic usage of almost complete darkness the convey the gravity of certain situations. The panels are busy, the gutters mentally engaging, ultimately there’s very little ‘action’, and it all works beautifully to covey a candid and ultimately empowering story.

In her graphic novel memoir, artist, writer, feminist and super strong woman, Lacy Davis, tells the history of her eating disorder and how it affected her life, from the first nagging thought that she might be 'too big.' She never flinches away from the details no matter how harrowing. It's brutally honest and because of that is so hopeful and strong. I would recommend this graphic novel to those who enjoyed Fun Home, Calling Doctor Laura and Lighter Than My Shadow.

I don't read a lot of non-fiction but I really enjoyed this book. I think that whether you have had a full-blown eating disorder or not, it's hard to be a woman in today's society without having some kind of weird or complicated relationship with food at least at some point in your life, so this book has a lot of very relatable moments even if you haven't been exactly where the author is. I really liked the in depth look at how she felt about the 12 step program and also her relationship with exercise and how she turned that around to be something that would make her stronger and not just thinner. This is a really positive and uplifting book and I would definitely recommend it.

"Ink in Water" is a really honest, touching account of how one woman started to recover from her eating disorder. It addresses several kinds of eating disorders and how they can coincide I really liked how the drawings set the mood and really showed what was going on in her head.

I really enjoyed this book simply because the concept is so different. I read a lot of biographies and memoirs, but this is the first I've seen in a comic book format, and it really works. It's much easier to read, with the information and accounts much more succinct, offering only the bare bones. The monochrome colour scheme really works well to complement the topics covered; eating disorders and recovery, dating and relationships, amongst others. The only thing I didn't like was the odd swear word which didn't seem necessary in the context. The book ends with talking about recover and, living with an eating disorder, as well as a short page of advice on living with an eating disorder. On the whole an enjoyable read with a really novel concept.

My first graphic novel and I thought the subject matter sounded interesting. The overall feel of the story is dark and I think this is enhanced by the black and white pictures but ultimately it is very uplifting and empowering. Exploring a multitude of topics: self doubt, relationships, friendships, obsessive disorders including eating and excerising and learning to love yourself again.
A very interesting format, no waffling, just feelings which are straight to the point which makes it very easy to read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy to read and review