The Longest Match: Rallying to Defeat an Eating Disorder in Midlife

by Betsy Brenner

“‘Eating disorders.’ Most of us instantly picture a teenaged or college aged girl when we see those words. After all, doesn’t age immunize women from the body image, weight concerns and eating disorders that plague the younger years? Truth is that, over 15% women at midlife and beyond suffer from eating disorders, surpassing the number affected by breastt cancer! These are serious, life threatening and heartbreaking illnesses at any age. This story needs to be told and Betsy Brenner does just that.

Genres: Audiobook

252 pages, Paperback

Published May 5, 2021

Reviews

[Stacy40pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Longest Match by Betsy Brenner. Thanks to the author for the gifted copy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We often read about eating disorders in young adults, but we don’t read much about the disease after that. I enjoyed this one because it looks into different age levels and how habits build, including midlife. I think it was brave of the author to show us how difficult middle age can be and how events other than adolescence can be triggering as well. Betsy’s story also brings to light how important therapy can be and how it can make a significant difference. Anyone who is interested in a new, fresh memoir on the effect of eating disorders, treatment and recovery, this would be a great one.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am glad that the author is sharing her story of eating disorder recovery in middle age. So often we hear stories of young women overcoming the disorder and we need more narratives representing others outside this demographic. She talks a lot about her codependent mother, her parentified childhood, grief and her mostly absent father. There honestly isn’t a lot of talk on the ED itself. I think there are many other books out there that better represent what the author endured in childhood and how it aided to the development of an ED without all the fluff of other parts of her life.

[Beth Medvedev · Rating 2 out of 5]

Glad that the topic of this was onset of ED in midlife, which you don't usually hear about, but this is very hard going. I found myself jumping pages because I found it so tedious and repetitive. I wonder if maybe a ghost writer could have helped present this in a different way as of course this story is worth hearing about.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, informative, captivating. The author honestly tells her story, as a way to talk about what she went thru, as well as to help others.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. A vulnerable memoir written by my neighbor. I had no idea!

[Brittni Teresi · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who is not yet in their midlife, I could still relate to this book in so many ways. The book was validating and honest, and I think it can help a lot of people feel less alone. Thank you for writing this book, especially because I think we need a lot more literature that touches on this topic in a truthful yet not triggering way.

[Rebecca Brenner Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

brief synopsis: Alice and Richard divorced when their daughter Betsy was 7. Alice was emotionally abusive, and Richard married several more times. Betsy finally enjoyed a relationship with her father while in college, but he died 2yr later when Betsy was 23. Betsy finally enjoyed a relationship with her mother after a new generation was born, but 2yr later when Betsy was 33, Alice died, also of cancer. Betsy’s anorexia became what she calls “full blown” while in her late 40s following half a lifetime of undiagnosed and untreated mental health issues and traumas. THE LONGEST MATCH fills a niche because it’s the mid-life eating disorder book on the market. I listened via audio this time, and the author did a fantastic job recording it herself! seriously, and I listen to many audiobooks.