In a departure from her previous contemporary fiction books, successful author Sue Kittow has published her third novel, HUNGER, a brave, moving but hopeful insight into the complex challenges of anorexia. Like her other novels, the story draws on her personal experiences.

‘It took me 40 years to write Hunger,’ says Sue. ‘Revisiting the brutality of anorexia and reading old diaries was terrifying and I could only do it in short bursts.’

Eating disorders are, like many chronic mental health conditions, something of a taboo.

‘They’re shameful to admit to because no one understands them,’ Sue says. ‘That’s why I wanted to write about my experiences of anorexia - and how I recovered - to give hope to others.’

The novel was also a long time in the making because Sue wanted the story to be an upbeat read, despite the theme of battling an eating disorder: ‘Shaping it into a story that wasn’t depressing was quite a challenge, but I hope readers will enjoy the importance of solid female friendships, two funny and loveable dogs, as well as a burgeoning romance.’

HUNGER is not Sue’s story, though she has used some of her experiences and emotions to try and convey what it’s like to have anorexia. She has also tried to give an insight into the thought processes of how someone may become anorexic: ‘Very often the trigger can be a chance comment which most people would shrug off. But for a small minority, this can be the beginning of a long and hard journey of ill health.’

Sue hopes that writing HUNGER from the mother’s point of view will help parents who may have children with eating disorders. But the book also draws on excerpts from the daughter’s diary, giving emotive first-person accounts of how the condition makes her feel.

‘Anorexia is a brutal disease, but with the right treatment it is possible to recover,’ Sue says. ‘We all know how much strain the NHS is under, but more help desperately needs to be given to treating those with eating disorders.

‘I hope this novel, written from a very personal place, delivers as an engaging and life-affirming story, as well as helping people to understand something of the complexities of the condition.’

HUNGER will officially launch on 21st May, 6-8pm, at Above the Bookshop, above Falmouth Bookseller.

HUNGER is available for pre-order from Amazon on http://bit.ly/4i3j8ZJ  and will be available on Amazon as paperback and ebook from April 14^th. Also available in Falmouth Bookseller and other Cornish stores

Pre-orders and signed copies are available from www.suekittow.com

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