Book Review: Last Dance with Annie by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Elise is a 40-some year-old mother of a college-aged son and high-schooler daughter whose eating disorder finds her in an inpatient EDU (eating disorder unit) after starving herself to the point of being at death’s door. Elise’s husband, Tony, a VietNam Veteran and now Navy recruiter, is loud and chastising but is hiding some issues of his own from his family. Last Dance with Annie is a very well thought-out narrative that examines the condition of anorexia nervosa from many perspectives, including from the patient; the support staff there to help the patient through; and the other patients and how they support or don’t support each other. Rochelle does an excellent job of teasing apart the mixed emotions of the immediate family members who are co-dependent on how the patient does in treatment.
In addition to Elise’s story, the lives of several of the other patients are examined in an attempt to see where some of the roots of eating disorders might have started. She makes sure to show that each patient is an individual with their own story to tell. Some descriptions of trauma that the patients suffered as children may be triggering. I found myself in tears several times while reading the book.
One writing device that Rochelle uses very effectively is using Elise’s internal voices. Annie is the voice that encourages the starvation; but Annie is not the only voice Elise has in her head.
I enjoyed the dialogue between the characters, their mannerisms, their struggles, and how they met or didn’t meet their challenges. I very much liked the positive regard given to the helpers in this story.
Prescription and over-the-counter medication permeate the book. Much of it is to help individuals in pain and fear attempt to alleviate it, albeit in harmful ways. The book does a good job of showing that listening and caring are real healers, as well as exploring creative outlets such as art and journaling.
Rochelle, thank you for writing Last Dance with Annie.
Tao Talk 
Sounds interesting…especially the pain management info.
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It was a good read and educational for those who have anorexia or love someone who is.
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HI Lisa, this sounds like a very good book about this particular eating disorder. I have experience with Anorexia, bulimia and over exercise disorder, as well as the taking of excess laxatives for weight loss. It is sad that women feel a need to exercise control over their lives through starvation. There should be ways of identifying overachieving youngsters who are high risk for these conditions and getting them help in advance.
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Robbie, I’m sorry you have experience with those things :( In the book, it seems like the adults were pushing the kids beyond what was healthy for them in order to be “superstars” in their fields. That competition culture is unhealthy for everyone, imo. Thank you for your thoughtful comment.
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Yes, I have watched this happen. I never pushed my sons like that and they have both developed amazing talents all on their own.
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<3
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Lisa, this does sound like a book which approaches the disorder in a multi-faceted manner, offering not only a deeper understanding of the patients, but providing options for how to address both the physical and emotional challenges navigating the condition.
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Bruce it does all of those things very well. It’s also about one family and the way they navigate through the challenges of past, present, and future. I loved the book.
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Fabulous review, Lisa. You hit on all the fabulous points about this book. I agree with each and every one of them.
(By the way, Elise is actually 42…)
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Thanks Dale and thanks for the correct info. Will try to remember to update the review at goodreads and amazon when I get chance.
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No worries. :)
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Indeed! Your review is exceptional.
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Bethel, thanks much.
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