An honest memoir about eating disorders.
Graphic illustrations are a rather underused technique when it comes to mainstream literature, but they work particularly well with highly emotional issues like eating disorders. Lacy Davis has come clean with her problems with Anorexia and Bulimia (although she shies away from these terms), through a memoir that is honest and down-to-earth, and will hopefully provide motivation and encouragement for other sufferers.
The art work is done by her partner, Jim Kettner, who we meet in the memoir. I have to admit to being particularly impressed that someone else understands her well enough to do these illustrations, throughout the book I had assumed they were done by Lacy, herself.

Society puts huge pressures on youngsters these days, particularly the women, but men too. It is little surprise that many people crack under these pressures. In my opinion, any advice shared by those who have lived through their issues, is of tremendous value to those still battling their demons. This readily accessible format makes these shared experiences even more widely available.

Good luck to Lacy and Kett, I shall be interested to see what they come up with next.

I got an ARC in return for an honest review on NetGalley.

I have to say that I requested this mainly because of the cover. I loved the art style. The subject hit close to home and I really appreciated the existence of the comic. I was just hoping that I would love reading it so I could brag to everyone that I read it and that they should too.

Thankfully, I loved this book. I loved how open and honest the author was. This had to be some painful art to make. I felt both like a voyeur and a confidant. There was a subtle switch when I felt the author had let me in. It was an amazing feeling and I can't tell if it was intentional or not. No matter the intentions, it was an incredible read and one I will recommend again and again (and again).  

The voice was so raw and natural. It felt like a real conversation and it felt authentic. There are very few things I hate worse in books than a fake sounding memoir or stand point theory. They grate me. This is your story, it should should like you really experienced it. This book delivered pain, hope, despair, and so much. I loved how the artist drew her head when the thoughts started to take over. It was so visual and powerful.

I can't say enough amazing things about this book. I can't do this book justice with anything I say. Read it.

I chose to review this book because it was sort of a self-help type of book. I do not personal experiences from anorexia, nor do I know anyone who is going through this sort of thing, but I was certainly eye opening and helpful for someone who may be able to help if someone we love and care for is going through the same thing. I never understood anorexia or bulimia, I probably never will (hopefully). But it is helpful to know and try to understand where one is coming from, what the possible triggers may be and know how to approach someone or at least a conversation with someone who may be going through such troubles in their life. Thank you so much for writing about it and even including illustrations that show us what you went through. You're a strong individual and will get through it the way you have in the past.

So riveting and relatable! I really enjoyed reading this book

Lacy J. Davis has nailed it in this graphic novel memoir of her battle with an eating disorder in Ink in Water. She bravely takes the reader on a journey with her from its inception with thoughts of not being good enough to the beginnings of food restriction and anorexia, to compulsively exercising and finally bulimia. We watch on as her world shrinks along with her body, as she shuts out friends while her obsession with her body takes hold. We're taken inside her mind as she battles the thoughts telling her she's too fat and we silently cheer her on from the sidelines as we watch her courageously fight to become healthy again and triumph over her demons.

While everyone fighting an eating disorder is on their own journey, Lacy takes us on an unflinching ride through hers. Not sugarcoating (yeah, I know, weird word to use in a review for a book about eating disorders) her struggles, yet ultimately giving us hope, this book will speak to everyone who has had, has or knows anyone with an eating disorder. People who can't understand why they just don't eat more or why they don't just stop exercising so much will gain much needed insight into what life with an eating disorder looks and feels like.

There are as many stories behind why eating disorders begin as there are people struggling with them and what works for one person may not work for another as they work towards recovery. I applaud Lacy for showing us that recovery from eating disorders isn't a success only path but that ultimately there is hope.

Jim Kettner's illustrations are gritty and take us deeper into Lacy's journey than we could have gone with words alone. We become a part of Lacy's struggles and her grief, we're inside her head listening to the voices telling her she's not enough and we feel the hope that shines through despite her struggle.

I received an ARC from NetGalley (thank you so much to NetGalley and New Harbinger Publications, Inc. for the opportunity) in exchange for honest feedback. If you have an eating disorder I encourage you to keep fighting, don't stop searching until you find treatment that works for you and hold onto hope. Recovery is possible. Yes, even for you!

This graphic novel memoir focuses on a twenty something woman and her battle with an eating disorder. The art is not my favorite but the story is captivating and really sheds a lot of light on the struggles that many people have with food and exercise. Davis has given a very honest and real depiction of her relationship with her body and how she dealt with issues of self doubt and loss.

Wow, this is the second graphic novel I have read in a week that was about anorexia.  

It works though, telling the story that way.  And like the other book, <em><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2083673217">Lighter than my shadow</a></em>, the story is very painful, and the thoughts in each of the women's head are what drove them to do what they did, and to have their relationship with food.

It is so important that these two books, these two graphic novels, are out there, that women are writing about what worked for them, and what did not.  It is so sad that anyone has to go through this, and a graphic novel is such an accessable way to tell the story.

Recommend this to those who are curious, those who have gone through this, or have simply wondered what was going on.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

It has been a very long time since I've read a graphic novel. Honestly, I don't even remember what the last one was that I read, but I'm SO glad I came across <em>Ink in Water </em>on NetGalley.

Lacy is brutally honest about her battle with anorexia. She is open about the good and the bad decisions she's made throughout her life and how she is constantly recovering. Those evil thoughts about not being good enough are constantly circling through her mind, but in the end, she has learned how not to be trapped by them. It truly was a beautifully written account of a terrible obsession with food.

There were many parts that were difficult to read, but that unflinching honest story needs to be told. I've never personally had an eating disorder, but I've come close. I've obsessed about calorie counts, carbs, ingredients, and time at the gym. I've dedicated journals and notebooks to tracking my body's intake and output as if it were my job. I've taken countless diet pills and tried my fair share of fad diets, none of which worked. I've felt the emptiness in my stomach and thought that was a good sign.

I no longer do that, but my relationship with food isn't always good, because that is what it is... a relationship. I still eat emotionally and those same thoughts that Lacy describes of being too big still pop into my head. And I would have never written any of that, if it weren't for reading Lacy's novel.

I think we all at some point or another in our lives have those voices in our head. The voices that tell us that we aren't good enough. Lacy is no different from any of us in that aspect. She was just brave enough to share her story with the world.

The illustrations by Kettner are amazing, particularly those showing the chaotic jumble of negative thoughts in Lacy's head. i love that the images are all in black and white and I hope that doesn't change when the novel goes to print. I don't know about you, but my thoughts aren't very colorful when they are negatively focused on my body image. The feelings provoked by the illustrations match those of Lacy's story. And if I'm being honest (which I am), it was the cover illustration that grabbed my attention. It screamed, "Pick me!"

Lacy's story is one that need to be told and I'm glad I've had the pleasure to read it. This novel is for those struggling with an eating disorder, recovering from one, or wanting to better understand the toll an eating disorder takes on everyone involved. It is also for anyone that has ever let those thoughts take control of their lives even for the briefest of moments.

Thank you Lacy for writing your story down.

You know when you find a story that reflects purity, honesty and a good heart, and imprints all these emotions and thoughts in you and yet you're left speechless? Ink in Water by Lacy J. Davis and Jim Kettner does just that! 

My very first graphic novel, this one's going to stay with me for a very long time. 

Lacy shares her struggles with Life and her health that she's had to deal with since her early 20s. A normal girl, with a happy childhood, good people around and a healthy dating life - is suddenly pushed into this darkness that engulfs every fibre of her being.  She deals with eating disorders, and I respect the fact that it's been talked about so truthfully in her story. 
Her mind had kept this blob of an idea hidden there somewhere, waiting for one thing to go wrong, and spread like ink spreads on a paper and fills it with darkness. 
Ink in Water is her story of survival and victory, and how she defeats all the troubles that come her way. It's a story about love, dedication and commitment.  

The artwork is just amazing! It explains each emotion and moment so truthfully and vividly, that you almost start seeing yourself in the protagonist's situation. It is immensely expressive and explains the gravity of situations, being talked about, perfectly.  I could sense the mixed emotions and frustration Lacy's dark thoughts brought along. It might not be an easy read for some, but it's definitely important and totally worth it. 

I respect Lacy for her strength and for being true to herself even when she didn't think she knew how to be. And I respect Kett for being such a wonderful and generous human being and to always be with her through all her highs and specially her lows. Also, I want to thank Lacy for staying with herself despite all that went wrong and for choosing to do whatever it takes to keep their relationship going. 

I can't explain the entire story in words but more so through tears and emotions. I love how the story starts with her  shoulders slumped but ends with her walking upright and glowing. I found myself clapping and cheering her on! 
It's an amazingly empowering story and I'm really glad that it'll soon be shared with the world!

Ink in Water follows the story of Lacy Davis during her twenties as she battles anorexia. She begins with the origins of her eating disorder, describing how the events in her life led up to her struggle with food. Davis doesn’t shy away from the ugly bits, nor does she glorify what she experienced both physically and emotionally. 

I found this to be a refreshing take on the eating disorder memoir. This is one of few stories I read about anorexia that I personally did not find triggering. In part, I think this is due to the illustration. Davis’ partner, Jim Kettner, illustrated her story beautifully in a way that felt both entertaining and honest. 

Ink in Water is a powerful, heartbreaking, honest, and feminist story that I would recommend to pretty much anyone. Its message of body positivity is something that is incredibly relatable and moving, and it is something that will stick with me for a long time.

As a previous anorexia sufferer, I wanted to review this book to see another person's tale of suffering too. Not for comparison but to share what I knew would be a great, emotional but much needed eye opener of a book to the readers on here.

Set as a graphic novel in black and white, with illustrations depicting a whole host of characters and events, the drawings showed physical effects of anorexia and emotion in a harrowingly beautifully true way.

The real author's story of her journey through so much is inspirational as she coped with school, a job and relationships whilst anorexic even though a lot of time was spent worrying about her body after comments made by her then boyfriend. Said boyfriend also had past issues of a serious nature as did his best friend who became Lacy's friend in need when she was dumped and sunk into tears before anorexia took hold completely.

So many throw away comments made about our bodies and the judgement from other's around us as well as society makes eating disorder treatment lists grow longer year by year as children take comments to heart too. This book is a great example how a comment can make a girl insecure enough to wreck her health and turn to a deep despair of not being enough just because of her body.

Words hurt, don't criticize others but embrace them and hold them close as difference makes us fun, a puzzle to be solved as we journey into new relationships.

Reach out for help if you are struggling with any eating disorder, some of us understand completely the terror it is on mind and body. x

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

I thought this was an incredible, thought-provoking and brave autobiography, I think it has the power to help a lot of people and I'm so pleased to learn that Lacey has found happiness at last. I will definitely be recommending this one.

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.

If there's a right way to write a book about ED, <i>this is it</i>.  

I used to have an eating disorder, one that was actually extremely similar to what Lacy describes.  Most books I've read during and since have been triggering, usually glamorizing eating disorders or lessening how harsh and terrible they really can be.  

<i>But this book doesn't do that. Thank God.<i/>

<i>Ink and Water</i> is difficult to read at times, but only because Lacy doesn't hold back on how much she struggled and how much her ED affected her and everyone around her.  The book itself is extremely well written with a natural flow and truths laid out in easy-to-follow internal and external dialogue. The illustrations fit in perfectly.  Though all black and white, the lines and shading perfectly reflect the mood as it develops, white and vibrant in the good times, gray and black in the tough, and extremely well done throughout.

I am duly impressed with Lacy's ability to get her message across in such a powerful way.  I couldn't help but fall in love with her, feeling her pain while she grew sick and worked to get well again yet understanding her hesitancy in acknowledging her problems and sharing them with her loved ones.  

I'm glad Lacy shared her story, showed that eating disorders are incredibly difficult to deal with, not at all as glamorous as the media portrays, and, above all, ABLE TO BE OVERCOME.  

Her overarching message of body-positivity and self-love is obvious and something that all women (and men) can benefit from, whether or not they have struggled or are currently struggling with an ED.  

I admire Lacy's bravery in sharing her story, and I'm impressed by her ability to convey it in a visually compelling graphic novel.  Can't wait to read more from this author.

"It doesn't matter how big you feel; the sky is bigger than you," says Lacy J Davis in her epilogue. 

'Ink in Water' records Lacy's struggle with eating disorder. She was always feeling big. Every food seemed unhealthy. She was losing friends, jobs, and finally herself to the disorder that was spreading like ink in water. 

The illustrations are haunting and moving, for in the panels which show her battle with bulimia, Lacy looks like an X-Ray projection of herself. As she is aided by her boyfriend to climb out of the abyss, to embrace the dark blotches in her head, Lacy discovers her way to body positivity. 

This feminist memoir is an honest account on how so many of us are trapped in our bodies, how we succumb to the dark voices in our head, and how we miss the good part of our lives, lest we become someone who don't meet the beauty standards established by the society. 

I enjoyed 'Ink in Water', for it celebrates life. Eat cupcakes. Lift weights. Take enough rest. Be obsessed with creativity. Pay the kindness forward. Above all, live well.