This book is powerful.
Anna Roux was a ballet dancer who is injured and then follows her husband from Paris to St. Louis.  Thrown amidst unfamiliar surroundings, loneliness, and feelings of no purpose, depression and anorexia get a hold of her.  This is the story of how the disease snuck up on her and her journey through treatment at 17 Swann Street.
Anna and the other girls at Swann Street are written so beautifully and poignantly.   As I was reading, I could envision them as real people with real struggles – food-oriented and otherwise.  The way Anna relates to the other women in the house.  The reflection into her past and attempt to rebuild relationships.  Her relationship with Matthias is complicated and heartbreaking and hopeful.  
Her struggles.  Triumphs.  Setbacks.  I cried. I cheered.  I felt.  
I did get a little lost at times in conversations as far as who was speaking as there were no quotation marks or clear breaks at times.  But the story and characters superseded any of those issues.  It all seemed very well researched or experienced as well.  
I think this is an important book for people to read to humanize the very real disease of eating disorders. 

Trigger Warning:  It goes without saying (I hope) but this book centers around anorexia, bulimia, and unhealthy food relationships.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC to review.  All opinions are my own.

I found this book painful to read at times. Anna was east to become frustrated with.  Although I realize until actually that Anna was suffering from mental illness at times I just wanted to scream "eat  something .  I enjoyed reading this book, it gave me great insight to anorexia and a long journey Anna had to face to just stay alive. Good characters, well developed ,  I would recommend this book to some of my friends and family. Thank you for my advance copy.

Anna Roux was a professional dancer who followed the man of her dreams from Paris to Missouri. There, alone with her biggest fears- imperfection, failure, loneliness - she spirals down anorexia and depression till she weighs a mere 88 pounds. Her husband, Matthais finds her unconscious on the bathroom floor and she has been put in a residential treatment centre for people with eating disorders.

If your looking for a happy ever after story, this book is not for you. I shed a tear a few times while reading Anna's plight. Anna is anorexic and ends up getting treatment at 17, Swann Street where lots of other fragile young women are facing their daily demons. We Le the routines the girls have to go through on their road to recovery- adding their calorie intake, slowly, the rules for mealtimes and what happens if they don't follow them. A fantastic insight into eating disorders. I do recommend this book.

I would like to thank NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and the author Yara Zgheib for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Yara Zgheib’s novel of a young woman struggling with anorexia is not an easy book to read and it is not an easy book to review.

It was not easy to read because the pain of the women, they are all over eighteen and under forty, in treatment at a residential program at 17 Swann Street in St. Louis, Missouri is raw and bare and bleak. That is as it should be, with diseases like anorexia and bulimia. Your heart will break for Emm, for Valerie, for Sarah, for Julie, for Anna… for the unnamed characters and, maybe more importantly, for the real women and girls who struggle with eating disorders.


It was not easy to read and no book about the topic Yara Zgheib chose should be an easy read. I think the reader is supposed to be made uncomfortable, supposed to look at the snacks she eats so easily while reading with a different perspective, supposed to realize that there are things cannot be fully understood without experiencing them.

It was not an easy book to review because there are flaws in the story, things that left me wanting more, wanting better, and I don’t know quite know how to say that about a book with anorexia at it’s core.

But it is still a novel and novels are meant to be read and discussed so… Anna Roux is the focus of The Girls at 17 Swann Street. She was a ballerina in Paris who followed her husband, Matthias, to St. Louis for a job. And she got a job working at a supermarket, which is maybe ironic for someone struggling with anorexia. Anna, though, she’s not the most relatable woman in the story. Maybe because she isn’t developed quite enough? There are many, many, many flashbacks to a happier, more nutritional time of her life but they are very oddly scattered and placed, hardly being clear enough to explain present-day Anna before the story is pulled back to Anna at Swann Street. She seems sometimes to be defined by her anorexia, as a plot, when much of the dialogue centers on the idea that no one is their disease, no one is defined by their disease.

I wanted to read more about Emm, about Valerie and Sarah… about the ‘girls’ at 17 Swann Street, if you will. Anna finds out tidbits about why they all are there, but only tidbits. The other girls don’t exist very well without Anna. In away, I suppose, I feel like I was expecting an ensemble story, about the girls at 17 Swann Street, not just the one girl and her friends.

So my advice is this – don’t read this book if in-depth and often haunting descriptions of eating disorders and their affects are triggers for you but do read this book if you want to better understand a life lived with an eating disorder, don’t read this book if you’re looking for a well-developed ensemble story but do read this book if you want something fairly quick and focused on a single character.

Absolutely gorgeous writing - the story focuses on the struggles of recovery (rather than too much of the process of the eating disorder itself) - it's quietly hopeful, while not shying away from the difficulties of recovery.

Former ballet dancer, Anna Roux moved from France to Missouri with her husband . Her new life leaves her alone often with her fears and failures. Now weighing 88 pounds, Anna is checked into a residential treatment center for eating disorders at 17 Swann Street. Anna is faced with a battle to reclaim her life. Anna isn’t alone in her fight. 17 Swann Street is also the temporary home to Emm, Valerie, and Julia. Each are facing the fight of their lives and achieve a healthy weight.

This book is an intimate look into the lives of people who suffer from anorexia, their treatment, and their lifelong struggle. Difficult to read at times, and often confused by a struggle I know little about, The Girls of 17 Swann Street was moving, haunting, and thought-provoking. I did not intend to read this book in on sitting, but it kind of just happened. The book consumed me and I couldn’t stop turing the pages. It was a compelling read. 

I received a free ARC of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

A unique book for me. I have never read anything like this before. I do not know what I expected but I know I got a whole lot more! At times touching, heartbreaking, and redemptive, this story took me into the world of eating disorders and mental illness. While I don't know how this is handled in the "real" world. I found this book to be inspiring and well-written. The characters seemed realistic to me and I can honestly say that I enjoyed this glimpse into a world I was not familiar with. I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

The Girls at 17 Swann Street is Yara Zgheib's debut novel that portrays a poetic and poignant battle with mental illness and eating disorders.  This book is beautifully written, with fascinating subject matter that certainly kept me engaged in the protagonist's journey  in a residential treatment facility for women with eating disorders.

While I enjoyed this book, I felt that it very much glossed over anorexia nervosa and that the protagonist was not a realistic depiction of a person with the disease.  It is very stereotypical for her to be a ballerina, and we were never given much insight into her earlier traumas.  I also felt that her husband's constant support for her was unrealistic, and their relationship did not really change during her treatment.  Anna's focus was very much on getting better for her husband, which did not entirely seem healthy to me.  While the supporting case of characters were interesting, I found that they were not developed to their full potential.  This is a work of fiction and very much a shiny one at that; I would have preferred a grittier picture.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for review.

This was not an easy book to read, but one that was so touching and tragic it pulled me in right away. I read the first half in one sitting and struggled to put it down. The format and style of writing might throw some people off, but for me it made it feel like I was inside the head of the main character feeling everything she was feeling. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

Slow going but it finished strong.  The characters felt real and I wished well for them.  The ending was not rushed which I appreciate. Overall, I liked it.

Thank you Netgalley. 

Very well written debut. Heartbreaking, at times poetic, interesting characters. The story was captivating and  refreshing.

Having never read a book by this author before. I started reading this book not knowing what to expect. The Girls at 17 Swann Street was thought provoking well written story. The story starts about a girl named Anna who has a eating disorder. She enters 17 Swann Street to get help. The storyline continues with Anna, the other girls in the house, their daily lives and issues trying to get well. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Warning: this may be triggering if you have suffered from an eating disorder. From the perspective of someone with anorexia, this is a story about a unique band of characters living at 17 Swann Street – a rehab facility for people with eating disorders. Having never personally suffered an eating disorder, I cannot speak to the realism or validity of emotions expressed. However, having a loved one close to me experience an eating disorder, it was very interesting to me to get inside the mind of someone with anorexia.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Anna is a ballerina. She also has a little voice in her head telling her she is fat...anorexia. After losing a baby, Anna spirals out of control. During a stay at an eating disorder clinic, she must decide whether to fight or let her disease win. The Girls at 17 Swann Street was an eye opening look at all eating disorders but especially anorexia. Yara Zgheib has written a solid debut novel!

I struggled to finish this book. I loved the point of view of an older, married character not normally seen in books with this subject matter. I normally like books with flash backs in them but the random italicized inserts drove me nuts. I like how this book was very realistic and did not glorify eating disorders in any way. I just couldnt get past the formatting. Anna.... Anna the Anorexic..... I do think the protagonist should have had a different name.

My Review of The Girls at 17 Swann Street by Yara Zgheib. #TheGirlsAt17swannStreet #NetGalley 

A heart-wrenchingly beautiful book I could not put down. A powerful, eye-opening and intricate must read. Emotional, fierce and quite brave. 
I read it in one sitting and sat quite stunned at how tragic and beautiful it was. Highly recommended for anyone that loves Women's fiction, Domestic/Psychological Fiction and beautiful writing.

Yara Zgheib did a great job of taking the reader into the world of eating disorders and inpatient recovery. The slippery slope that Anna slid down, removing one food group, controlling every bite and becoming obsessed with eating and food is hard to explain and understand from the outside and even harder to watch someone you love slide.

After ballet and a transatlantic move Anna needs to find control somewhere and she finds that in food and eating. Despite pleas from her loved ones Anna continues to sink farther and farther until she reaches rock bottom and finds herself among the ladies of 17 Swann Street. In this house she will find help and friendship, she will experience tough love and true love. Anna will discover she has a life worth living and that she is enough.

Thanks to NetGalley I received an advanced copy of this book, along with several other books creating an enormous “to be read” list!! I am not alone though and found a great group of ladies that I am reducing my NetGalley numbers along with. The Girls at 17 Swann Street was one that several of us needed to read so we read it together, which is always more fun. I knew it would be hard for me to read a book on this topic from personal struggles but I am in a great place and able to appreciate Anna and her fellow housemates. However, there were several times the tears flowed for Anna and her friends, for past me and for my friends that struggled. I cried a little because the struggle is never gone and over but the strength makes each day a little easier.

I’m not sure if it was the format of the galley that was hard to follow or if Anna being young and French created odd inner dialogue but there were moments I wished for a more straight forward format of dialogue. I was satisfied with the ending and found the introduction to characters and relationships was laid out well. I gave 5 stars on Goodreads, partly because it was a great book and partly because I have not connected with a book so deeply in a long time.

The Girls at 17 Swann Street chronicles the narrator's stay at a residential treatment center for women with eating disorders, describing in detail the anxiety with which she undertook refeeding.  Tales of companions and affections among the residents are revealed, as the afflicted bonded to support each other on their journeys.  Although the book flashes back to the narrator's personal history, she has little insight into the etiology of her illness nor does she question for a moment the uber-centrality of her mate to her return to health.  

While this book is reasonably well done, anorexia nervosa is as tedious as any other obsessive or addictive behavior.  Would recommend for those with an interest.  In view of the apparent ease with which the narrator attained recovery, would suggest that those afflicted with anorexia take the tales with a few grains of salt.

If you have ever known anyone with anorexia, or suffered from it yourself, you know the daily struggles to overcome and defeat this serious condition.  Yara Zgheib does an excellent job of describing this struggle and making us feel the frustration that comes when people just don't understand.
Anna is a dancer.  She has moved from Paris to Missouri where she knows no one and everything is different and strange.  The only thing she can control is her weight, so she does.  As her world keeps changing, she works her weight down to 88lbs.  When she finally admits she has a problem, she moves into a group therapy home at 17 Swann Street.  There she learns she is not unique in her condition and learns to take control of her life in other ways.  
This book is so engrossing.  Anna's problems advance slowly until she has to face her problem or die.  The book is so well written you can see yourself in Anna's world.  While I keep saying it is an excellent book on a person's battle with anorexia, the book is so much more.  Family, friends, immediate relatives all count when a person's world is shrinking.  Anna's solutions show how easily it is to let someone suffer without knowing they are.  Read the book.

4.5 stars.

  The Girls at 17 Swann Street by Yara Zgheib is a poignant, thoughtful novel about the complexities of overcoming eating disorders.

  Twenty-six year old Anna Roux and her husband Matthias are Parisian transplants who now live in St. Louis.  A former ballerina whose career sputtered to a stop following an injury, Anna is now in treatment for anorexia.  At 88 pounds, she is at risk for a multitude of conditions that are life threatening if she does not start eating and put on weight. Her struggle to eat is heart wrenching as she forces herself to comply with treatment. Anna’s daily regimen includes eating the prescribed meals and snacks, a short walk, individual therapy, group therapy and 90 minute visits with Matthias. Anna is reluctant to discuss her complicated relationship with food or her personal life but her occasional honesty is extremely helpful to overcoming anorexia. Will Anna triumph over the disease that affects not only herself, but her loved ones?

  Anna’s relationship with food is complicated before she and Matthias relocate to the United States. She is under immense pressure to lose weight in order to keep her position with the ballet company. Before meeting and marrying Matthias, her romance with another man distorts her view of herself due to his less than flattering remarks. Anna is also haunted by tragedies from her childhood.  

  Although Anna is happy to accompany Matthias to St. Louis, she finds herself isolated and lonely as she hunts for a job and her husband works long hours.  Anna is soon consumed with calorie counting, avoiding certain food groups and excessive exercise. She barely remembers her old life and her appearance during a Christmas visit to Paris shocks her beloved father and sister. But it is not until months later that Matthias realizes how precarious Anna’s health has become.

  The Girls at 17 Swann Street is a captivating novel that does not gloss over the difficulties of treating and overcoming eating disorders. Anna is an extremely sympathetic character whose struggles with body image and weight will resonate with readers. Yara Zgheib offers an insightful and oftentimes, heartbreaking, glimpse into the complicated treatment for eating disorders. The realistic conclusion to Anna’s story is both uplifting and hopeful.  A well-researched, emotionally compelling novel that I absolutely loved and highly recommend.