Andrea’s Voice

Doris Smeltzer
Gurze Books (2006)
ISBN 0936077017
Reviewed by Stephanie Rollins for Reader Views (6/06)

“Andrea’s Voice” is written by Doris Smeltzer, the mother of Andrea Smeltzer.  Andrea Smeltzer was bulimic.  Throughout the book, Doris Smeltzer tries to understand what caused the bulimia.  She incorporates Andrea’s journal entries and poetry through the book.  This lets the reader feel Andrea’s confusion and helplessness.

Doris Smeltzer internally battles the blame for Andrea’s disease.   Like so many mothers, she wonders if she did everything she could do to be a good role model for her daughter.  She writes, “One of the most important goals in my life, prior to Andrea’s death, was to become the best mother ever—another aspiration toward perfection.  This target provided a secure hiding place for me…I think that Andrea sensed, at almost a primal level, that her mother was in hiding.  Maybe if I had faced my fears, Andrea would have been able to face hers.”

This book does not explain why Andrea developed bulimia.  It does not describe how the family has come to terms with her death.  However, it shows the long-term effect of the disease on Andrea and her family both before and after her death.  This book is clearly a healing tool for Doris Smeltzer.  “Andrea’s Voice” can be a healing tool for bulimics and their families.  As Doris Smeltzer explains, “Grief must be shared.” 

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