Bronte's Story: Tears, Trials and Triumphs: A Personal Battle with Anorexia

by Bronte Cullis, Steven Bibb

Bronte Cullis was the Melbourne teenager whose battle with anorexia captured the hearts of Australians in a series of stories and documentaries by Ray Martin for the Nine Network. Bronte's parents knew their daughter would die unless they did something drastic. They mortgaged the family home, sold what they could and sent Bronte to the Montreux Clinic, an unconventional eating disorder clinic in Canada. It was Bronte's last chance at survival. . .

Bronte kept diaries from diagnosis to recovery. This is her story.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Mental Health, Biography, Mental Illness

276 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Helen Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raw and harrowing insight into not only the devastating grip of anorexia but also OCD. Inspiring and motivating.

[Liralen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather disappointing. Not enough context, I think, so much of the books only focuses on (a limited, diary version of) what was going on inside her head and not what she, and her family and providers, were doing. There are some illuminating passages from her father's diary when she's still in Australia, but there's nothing to provide such context once she's in Canada.

Consequently, it's hard to get a grip on her progress, or lack thereof. Her diary entries in Canada span four years but cover only the barest bones of her treatment -- it feels very true to the way one writes in a diary, but for a published book I would have hoped for more revision and expansion. Four years is a long time to follow a -- very expensive -- course of treatment without seeing results, so surely there was progress, but we really only get glimmers of insight. I would have loved to hear more about the Montreux Clinic; from the bit she does say, she seems ambivalent at best. Mind, that would probably still be a very controversial thing to write about, but it would have given the content a bit more complexity.

Potential for a powerful story, but it really only seems to scratch the surface.

[Charmain Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

From beginning to end it was great, sad, encouraging when she overcame certain fears/obstacles of her illness and seeing her family visit as often as they could during her treatment was great. Highly recommend it to anyone who is or knows of someone who's going thru/gone thru Anorexia/Bullimia or even possibly severe depression!

I know personally what it's like to think a lot like Bronte re self-loathing etc as I've had weight issues for medical reasons all my life and my own mother constantly put me down and called me names like Ten Tonne Tessie as a teen-this still affects me at 43! I have severe depressive episodes from time to time so could relate to how she was thinking of herself! It's very exhausting-mentally & emotionally!

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this bookbup to try and get an understanding of the journey of anorexia after a work mates 14 year old daughter was hospitalised with the same illness. I sure gotva good insite on the illness called anorexia. Sure was tears, trials and Triumphs.

[Nicki Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started and finished in one day. I wanted to know more about anorexia and eating disorders, and Bronte’s fearless sharing of her story and advocacy for ED awareness gripped me from the first page.

[Kate Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not because this is the world’s best literature but it’s real and gives me some insights into living with anorexia, even after years of caring for an anorexic child.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: A Heartfelt Journey of Triumph Over Anorexia

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

"Bronte's Story: Tears, Trials and Triumphs" is an emotionally charged and inspiring memoir that sheds light on the harrowing battle against anorexia. Bronte's personal account takes readers on a turbulent journey through the depths of despair and ultimately, towards triumph, offering valuable insights and hope for those who may be facing similar challenges.

The book's strength lies in its unflinching honesty and raw vulnerability. Bronte shares her innermost thoughts, fears, and the daily struggles she faced during her battle with anorexia. Her willingness to open up about her darkest moments is both courageous and commendable. This candid approach invites us, the readers, to empathize with her experiences and gain a deeper understanding of the mental and emotional toll an eating disorder can exact.

Bronte's determination to recover and her gradual progress are portrayed with sensitivity and resilience. Her journey towards self-acceptance and healing is a testament to the human spirit's capacity for growth and transformation. I think readers who are either grappling with their own eating disorders or supporting someone who is will find solace and inspiration in Bronte's story.

The book's narrative is engaging, making it difficult to put down once you start reading. However, some readers might wish for more insights or strategies to help navigate their own battles with anorexia or to support loved ones who are struggling. While the memoir provides an essential perspective, a more extensive exploration of recovery strategies or professional guidance could have been beneficial.

In summary, "Bronte's Story: Tears, Trials and Triumphs" is a moving and enlightening memoir that intimately portrays the struggles of battling anorexia. Bronte's unvarnished account and her journey towards triumph over her eating disorder offer a glimmer of hope for those facing similar challenges. While the book may not provide a comprehensive guide to recovery, it is a poignant and inspiring read for anyone touched by the experience of anorexia, and those who wish to learn more about anorexia, for personal knowledge.

Read: March 21st 2023
Reviewed: October 19th 2023

[Banafsheh Serov · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bronte Cullis is a neurotic teenager. Despite coming from a loving, supportive family, she is anxious and obsessive. Her life is ruled by phobias and fears over protecting her family. Fragile and brittle, she's an easy target for bullies at school. Its not surprising that when her grandmother develops cancer and her only friend leaves the school, her neurosis and anxiety spill into self harm. For six long years Bronte listens to voices inside her head. And the voices tell her to stop eating.

Bronte's Story outlines the destructive power of anorexia and its hold on its victims. Scattered are entries from Bronte's journal that provide an insight into her dark inner thoughts. Whilst struggling through her illness, Bronte comes to the notice of Channel nine's 'A Current Affair'. She and her family are interviewed by Ray Martin and her progress becomes the focus of several follow up segments.

Bronte's Story should have remained a five-minute segment on television - or alternatively a 6-page women's Day article. The journal entries combined with a narrative repeating the same thought come off clunky. The publishers were clearly trying to fatten the word count by adding supporters' letters and the exhaustive journal entries. As fascinating Bronte's Story is to me, the narrative failed to hold my interest and I spent half the time skipping entries.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely one of the most severe cases I've ever read about. Her e.d. was largely laced with severe OCD, something that was interesting to read about but I can't personally relate to - not on that extreme of a level, anyway. I know this must have been a hell of an experience to relive and turn into a book, but it wrapped up way too soon. I know there rarely is a defining point for people with eating disorders in terms of when they get that 'aha' recovery moment, but in this book it literally happened over the span of one page turn. I would have liked to have read more about what it was the worked for her, especially since her case was so severe. All in all though, it's a great book and really drew me in.

[Luisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was quite impressed with this book. I didn't care much for the first half of the book. Bronte tells her story through her own writing and diary entries which go from 1996 to 2000, focusing on her anorexia. We see Bronte go from Melbourne to Victoria in Canada in a last desperate attempt to save herself. I found that her diary entries became very repetitive and it got hard to read the same thing over and over again.

But in my opinion it is the last half of the book which truly encompasses the notion of recovery. Bronte tells of how much she has learned and what recovery means to her and how she is still learning eight years on. I get the feeling that recovery is definitely possible, even for the sickest and most reluctant of people. You just have to realise how much you want it.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A memoir as such of a beautiful, young Australian woman suffering anorexia and her journey to recovery. I still have many questions as to what happened in some parts that seemed to be left out. (Eg- more in depth view of life and what occurred at montreaux)

[Vass · Rating 1 out of 5]

*wince*

[Maggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Have read a number of books on eating disorders, and found this one to be one of the least helpful. Far better was the book by Portia de Rossi (surprisingly).

[Maddie D · Rating 3 out of 5]

though inspiring in the end, it was incredibly sad.

[SUZA · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book really torturing my mind Y_Y

[Simone Ramone · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you want a good account of anorexia, try reading Portia de Rossi's autobiography "Unbearable Lightness" instead.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having seen the Bronte story on tv over the last decade and a half it was an interesting, albeit sometimes confronting, read. If she was to write a sequal I would make the effort to obtain a copy.

[Chloe Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deeply personal

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heart wrenching. Sad, sad, sad. The story of anorexia retold from a real sufferer.