Tell Me How You Eat: Food, Power, and the Will to Live – A Nonfiction Book Review
Book cover image from Simon & Schuster
Is Food Really Everywhere?
The phrase “you are what you eat” is so ingrained in our society that it’s everywhere on the internet; food influencers, fad diets, supplements, and mukbangs are just the surface. With food everywhere, it’s hard not to believe that you really are what you eat. But is that true?
In her latest book, Tell Me How You Eat: Food, Power, and the Will to Live, English scholar and writer Amber Husain questions the idea of “you are what you eat” and probes into the action of eating all the way from a personal activity to a political battle.
Eating is Complex
Inspired by her vegetarianism and her journey of healing from an eating disorder, Husain intertwines personal anecdotes and historical analyses, ranging from medieval nuns to World War II to the Black Panthers. For those with food-based triggers, be aware that disordered eating will arise throughout this book.
Tell Me How You Eat is split into five chapters, each focusing on different facets of eating — “You Don’t”, “You Restrain”, “You Gorge”, “You Feed”, and “You Ask”. In each one, Husain dives deep into the political implications of different ways to consume food — from fasting in protest to distributing food in underserved communities.
A Personal and Historical Introspection
The intellectual examination of food and eating captivated me, and more so as it coupled with relatable and intimate moments from Husain’s life. While I was familiar with some of her examples, I learned about so many influential figures, particularly underrepresented women. Not only was this book educational, Husain’s personal anecdotes were relatable, making me more curious.
The quasi-memoir form intrigued me, and as someone who is daunted by more academic works, Husain’s conversational tone with the mix of anecdotes and political examples turned such a complex yet fascinating subject matter into an accessible read.
If you are curious about Husain’s writing, I highly recommend exploring her essays, which range in subject and length and are available on her website.
Need more great reads? Check these out!
- The Need for Expectations – Inspirational Essay
- Biographies and Memoirs of Amazing Women in History — Book Roundup
- Staying Healthy During NaNoWriTing: Tips From a Personal Trainer and Nutritionist – Nutrition tips for writers
- 25 Minutes Fasted, Caffeinated Cardio – Positivity Corner – Benefits of caffeine before cardio
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Zina Mona
Zina Mona is a writer and student from Texas. Her work has been published or is forthcoming in the Trinity Review and 34 Orchard. She studies literature and economics, but in her free time, she loves watching Audrey Hepburn movies.
Visit her website to read more!
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Image by James Clear from JamesClear.com
Book cover image from Penguin Random House
