The Girls at 17 Swann Street: A Novel

Anyone concerned with their body image (and who isn’t?) should read this masterful story about a deadly struggle with self-image. The facility located at 17 Swann Street is a place where women come together to learn about themselves and to face the perils of life-threatening body dysmorphic disorder. The main character is a former ballet dancer who tackled the drastic requirements of that extremely competitive profession to mold herself into the perfect prima ballerina regardless of the cost.

It is only through seeing the losses suffered by the other residents that the heroine, Anna Roux, is able to face the reality of her obsessions—not overcome them, but heroically battle them. Unlike the other residents, she has a loving husband who faithfully supports her recovery.

This book is a realistic yet hopeful novel about the gruesome results of a cultural obsession with bodily perfection. The disease is oftentimes hidden from view and little suspected, even while it devastates the sufferer. This is a brave and compelling book to read.