Synopsis
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Pacing
- Moderate
- Mood
- Dark, intense, psychological, hopeful, poignant
The Art of Starving Plot Summary
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
The Hunger Begins
Matt, a bullied gay teenager, intentionally starves himself. He believes this self-deprivation gives him unusual abilities: heightened senses, vivid hallucinations, and a perceived ability to read minds and influence events. His main goal is to find out what happened to his older sister, Maya, who disappeared suddenly. Matt is convinced Tariq, the popular football captain, and his friends are responsible. Despite his mother's constant worry and attempts to feed him, Matt resists eating, seeing hunger as a source of strength, not illness.
Infiltrating Tariq's Circle
Driven to find answers, Matt plans to get close to Tariq. He starts going to football practices, first observing, then subtly inserting himself into Tariq's world. Matt uses his perceived powers to anticipate Tariq's moods and moves, believing this helps him navigate social situations. He eventually forms a tentative friendship with Tariq, surprising his few friends, especially Amy. Matt endures Tariq's casual meanness and discomfort, all while searching for clues about Maya, convinced Tariq knows something.
The Confusing Friendship with Tariq
As Matt spends more time with Tariq, their relationship becomes complex and confusing. Tariq, initially dismissive, starts showing vulnerability and even affection. They share genuine moments, playing video games and discussing personal struggles. This challenges Matt's idea of Tariq as a purely evil bully. Matt finds himself drawn to Tariq, despite his original intentions and the internal conflict this causes. He struggles to reconcile the person he believes drove his sister away with the person now showing him unexpected kindness, complicating his investigation.
Escalating Powers and Deteriorating Health
Matt's perceived powers grow in intensity, appearing as clearer visions, stronger telepathic impressions, and a growing belief in his ability to manipulate reality. He starts to believe he can see the 'threads' connecting people and events. However, these experiences are linked to his rapidly declining physical and mental health. Starvation causes extreme fatigue, dizziness, hallucinations, and severe mood swings. His body wastes away, and his thinking becomes impaired, making it hard to tell reality from his starved mind. The line between 'power' and 'illness' blurs.
Amy's Intervention and Concern
Amy, Matt's best friend, worries about his drastic weight loss, his focus on Tariq, and his claims of developing powers. She tries to talk to him, expressing concern for his health and challenging his erratic behavior. Amy tries to make him eat and urges him to seek help, but Matt, consumed by his mission and belief in his abilities, dismisses her worries. Their friendship becomes strained as Matt isolates himself, refusing to acknowledge the severity of his eating disorder.
The Discovery of Tariq's Secret
Through his investigation and perceived powers, Matt uncovers a secret about Tariq: he is gay and deeply closeted, fearing exposure and judgment from his conservative father and peers. Tariq's bullying, especially towards Matt, is a desperate attempt to maintain a tough facade and deflect suspicion. This revelation changes Matt's view of Tariq and their relationship. It adds empathy and understanding, but also complicates his mission as he deals with Tariq's vulnerability and his own growing feelings.
The First Kiss and Growing Affection
Amidst their complicated dynamic, Matt and Tariq share an unexpected kiss. This is a turning point, moving their relationship beyond investigation to genuine romantic attraction. The kiss has both tenderness and tension, reflecting Tariq's internal conflict about his sexuality and Matt's own confusion and desire. While Matt's goal was to expose Tariq, he finds himself drawn to him, experiencing a powerful connection he didn't expect. This intimacy further blurs his mission, making his next steps difficult.
The Truth About Maya
Matt finally learns the truth about Maya's disappearance, but it is not what he expected. Maya did not run away because of Tariq; she left due to her own mental health struggles and a difficult home life, made worse by her parents' constant fighting and her feelings of being overlooked. Tariq had tried to help her, but his efforts were misunderstood. The realization shatters Matt's narrative and revenge plot. The truth is more mundane and heartbreaking than his theories, leaving him feeling lost and betrayed by his own mind.
Confronting Reality and Collapse
With the truth about Maya revealed, Matt's 'powers' are unmasked as severe symptoms of advanced starvation and mental health struggles. The 'threads' he saw, the mind-reading, and control over time were all vivid hallucinations and delusions caused by his eating disorder. The weight of this realization, combined with his extreme physical deterioration, leads to a mental and physical collapse. Matt is found in a critical state, ravaged by starvation, and rushed to the hospital. This is the lowest point of his journey, forcing him to confront the reality of his illness.
The Road to Recovery
Matt begins a long recovery in the hospital, dealing with the physical and psychological effects of his eating disorder. He receives medical care and therapy, slowly addressing the issues that led to his starvation. His mother and Amy support him. The journey is difficult, with relapses and setbacks, but Matt gradually starts to rebuild his relationship with food, his body, and himself. He learns that true strength comes not from self-deprivation, but from self-acceptance, vulnerability, and seeking help.
Reconciliation and New Beginnings
As Matt slowly recovers, he and Tariq begin to reconcile. Their relationship, initially built on deceit and vengeance, becomes more honest and tender. Tariq, having faced his own fears, apologizes for his past actions and expresses remorse. They navigate their growing feelings, acknowledging the difficult circumstances that brought them together. Matt also mends his relationship with Amy. The novel ends with Matt still recovering, but with a new understanding of himself, his body, and the importance of genuine connection, looking towards a future where he can embrace all forms of hunger in a healthy way.
Principal Figures
Matt
Protagonist
A bullied gay teen who starves himself, believing it grants him superpowers.
Matt is a sensitive, intelligent, and deeply troubled gay teenager. Haunted by his sister's disappearance and tormented by bullies, he retreats into a dangerous coping mechanism: extreme starvation. He genuinely believes that his self-deprivation grants him supernatural abilities, which he intends to use for revenge and to uncover the truth about Maya. Matt is prone to intense obsession, denial, and self-deception, often blurring the lines between reality and his delusions. Beneath his hardened exterior and vengeful drive, he yearns for connection, understanding, and acceptance.
Relationships: Maya (Sister (missing, catalyst for Matt's actions)); Tariq (Bully, romantic interest, fellow closeted gay teen); Amy (Best friend, voice of reason); Mom (Mother (caring but overwhelmed))
Tariq
Antagonist/Supporting
The popular football captain who bullies Matt, secretly struggling with his own identity.
Tariq is initially presented as the quintessential high school bully: popular, athletic, and intimidating. He is the leader of the group Matt believes drove Maya away. However, as the story progresses, Tariq is revealed to be a complex and deeply conflicted character. He is secretly gay and terrified of his conservative father and the social repercussions of being outed. His bullying, particularly towards Matt, is a defense mechanism to maintain his tough-guy facade and deflect suspicion about his sexuality. He possesses moments of surprising vulnerability and kindness, complicating Matt's perception of him.
Relationships: Matt (Bully, romantic interest); Father (Strict and conservative)
Amy
Supporting
Matt's loyal best friend who tries to help him confront his eating disorder.
Amy is Matt's steadfast and caring best friend. She is observant, empathetic, and serves as a vital anchor to reality for Matt. From early on, Amy recognizes the alarming signs of Matt's eating disorder and his increasingly erratic behavior. She consistently tries to intervene, expressing her deep concern for his health and challenging his fantastical claims of superpowers. Despite Matt pushing her away and dismissing her worries, Amy remains loyal and persistent in her attempts to help him, embodying unwavering friendship and a much-needed voice of reason.
Relationships: Matt (Best friend)
Maya
Supporting
Matt's older sister whose mysterious disappearance drives the plot.
Maya is Matt's older sister, whose sudden disappearance serves as the primary catalyst for Matt's dangerous journey. Initially presented as a victim of Tariq's bullying, she is later revealed to have her own complex struggles with mental health and family issues. Her absence creates a void in Matt's life and fuels his obsessive quest for truth and revenge. While not physically present for most of the narrative, her memory and the mystery surrounding her fate profoundly shape Matt's actions and internal landscape.
Relationships: Matt (Brother); Mom (Mother)
Matt's Mom
Supporting
Matt and Maya's hardworking mother, struggling to cope with family challenges.
Matt's Mom is a hardworking and well-meaning, but often overwhelmed, single mother. She is visibly concerned about Matt's declining health and Maya's disappearance, though she struggles to effectively intervene or understand the depth of Matt's issues. She tries to provide for her children and ensure they have food, but is largely unaware of the extent of Matt's eating disorder and his internal struggles. Her character highlights the challenges of parenting a child with an eating disorder and the difficulty of recognizing the signs when masked by other issues.
Jesse
Supporting
A member of Tariq's friend group, often a follower.
Jesse is one of Tariq's friends and a member of the football team. He is generally portrayed as a follower, going along with Tariq's bullying and social dynamics. While not as overtly cruel as Tariq can be, he contributes to the oppressive atmosphere that Matt experiences. Jesse represents the broader social pressures and group mentality prevalent in high school, where individuals often conform to the dominant social hierarchy rather than challenging it. He serves to highlight the environment in which Matt and Tariq operate.
Relationships: Tariq (Friend, leader); Matt (Bully's target)
Themes & Insights
The Dangers of Eating Disorders and Self-Starvation
This theme explores the physical and psychological effects of anorexia nervosa and extreme starvation. Matt's journey shows how an eating disorder can distort perception, cause hallucinations, and lead to a detachment from reality. The 'superpowers' he believes he has are symptoms of his illness, showing the dangerous delusion and self-deception in the disease. The novel portrays the suffering, isolation, and near-fatal consequences of unchecked self-starvation.
“The hunger cleared his mind, kept him sharp—and he needs to be as sharp as possible if he’s going to find out just how Tariq and his band of high school bullies drove his sister, Maya, away.”
The Illusions of Power and Control
A central theme is the deceptive nature of perceived power, especially when it comes from illness and desperation. Matt believes he gains control over his life by starving himself, seeing it as strength and supernatural ability. However, this 'power' is an illusion, a sign of his deteriorating mental state. The novel shows that true power is not in controlling external forces or denying basic needs, but in self-acceptance, vulnerability, and the courage to seek help and face reality.
“So what is lunch, really, compared to the secrets of the universe?”
Identity, Sexuality, and Self-Acceptance
The novel explores the struggles of identity and sexuality, especially for gay teenagers in a homophobic environment. Both Matt and Tariq deal with their hidden sexual identities, leading to internal conflict and self-loathing. Tariq's bullying comes from his fear of exposure, while Matt's quest for revenge becomes tied to his growing feelings for Tariq. The story argues for the importance of self-acceptance, authenticity, and finding healthy ways to express oneself, despite societal pressures.
“Matt didn’t realize there are many kinds of hunger… and he isn’t in control of all of them.”
Bullying, Revenge, and Forgiveness
The theme of bullying is central, driving Matt's initial desire for revenge. The novel looks at the cycle of bullying, showing how victims can become obsessed with retribution. It also explores the reasons behind a bully's actions, revealing Tariq's own pain and vulnerability. As Matt learns the truth, his desire for revenge changes into a journey toward understanding and, eventually, forgiveness. The story suggests that healing comes not from retribution, but from confronting underlying issues and breaking the cycle of anger.
“He needs to be as sharp as possible if he’s going to find out just how Tariq and his band of high school bullies drove his sister, Maya, away.”
The Nature of Reality and Delusion
This theme is important because the entire story is filtered through Matt's unreliable perception. The novel blurs the line between what is real and what are delusions caused by his starvation. His 'powers'—seeing threads, reading minds, manipulating time—are presented convincingly enough to make the reader question them, only to be revealed as symptoms of his severe illness. This exploration challenges the reader to consider how mental and physical states can change one's experience of reality.
“The ability to see things he shouldn’t be able to see. The knack of tuning in to thoughts right out of people’s heads. Maybe even the authority to bend time and space.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Unreliable Narrator
Matt's perspective is skewed by his eating disorder and delusions.
The entire story is told from Matt's first-person perspective, making him an unreliable narrator. His extreme starvation and deteriorating mental state lead to hallucinations, delusions, and a distorted perception of reality. The reader is initially led to believe in his 'powers,' only to later realize they are symptoms of his illness. This device effectively immerses the reader in Matt's subjective experience, creating suspense and a deeper understanding of the psychological impact of an eating disorder.
Magical Realism (subverted)
Supernatural elements are introduced but later revealed as psychological symptoms.
The novel initially presents elements of magical realism, with Matt genuinely believing he has developed superpowers like telepathy, precognition, and the ability to manipulate time. These fantastical elements are woven into the otherwise realistic contemporary setting. However, this device is ultimately subverted when these 'powers' are revealed to be vivid hallucinations and delusions caused by his severe eating disorder. This subversion underscores the psychological horror of his illness and the internal reality he constructs.
The MacGuffin (Maya's Disappearance)
Maya's absence drives Matt's actions, but the true stakes are internal.
Maya's mysterious disappearance serves as a MacGuffin, an object or plot device that is crucial to the plot and motivates the protagonist's actions, but whose specific nature is less important than its effect on the characters. While Matt is obsessed with uncovering what happened to her, the true journey and transformation are internal: his struggle with his eating disorder, his identity, and his relationship with Tariq. The truth about Maya is eventually revealed, but by then, the focus has shifted to Matt's personal crisis and recovery.
Symbolism (Hunger)
Physical hunger represents various emotional and psychological hungers.
Hunger is a pervasive and multifaceted symbol throughout the novel. Initially, it represents Matt's physical starvation, a self-inflicted 'power.' However, it quickly expands to symbolize other forms of unfulfilled longing: Matt's hunger for justice for Maya, his hunger for acceptance, his hunger for control, and eventually, his unspoken hunger for connection and love, particularly with Tariq. The novel's title, 'The Art of Starving,' itself highlights this symbolic duality, suggesting a deliberate cultivation of deprivation that extends beyond mere food.
Quiz
10 questions on the plot and the characters. Each answer comes with a short explanation.
Question 1
What is the main character's name in 'The Art of Starving'?
- Tariq
- Maya
- Matt
- Sam
Show answer
C. Matt The protagonist of the novel is Matt.
Question 2
What does Matt believe he develops through starvation?
- Super strength
- Super powers
- Invisibility
- The ability to fly
Show answer
B. Super powers Matt believes that by starving himself, he gains special abilities like seeing things he shouldn't and hearing thoughts.
Question 3
Who does Matt want to find out what happened to?
- His mother
- Tariq
- His sister, Maya
- A friend he hasn't met yet
Show answer
C. His sister, Maya Matt's primary motivation for his actions is to uncover what happened to his sister, Maya, who was driven away by bullies.
Question 4
What genre is 'The Art of Starving' described as?
- Science Fiction, Romance, Thriller
- Psychology, Fantasy, Young Adult
- Mystery, Historical Fiction, Drama
- Horror, Comedy, Adventure
Show answer
B. Psychology, Fantasy, Young Adult The book is classified under Psychology, Fantasy, and Young Adult genres.
Question 5
What specific abilities does Matt believe he gains from starving?
- Telekinesis and super speed
- Enhanced intuition and telepathy
- Seeing things he shouldn't and tuning into thoughts
- Controlling the weather and talking to animals
Show answer
C. Seeing things he shouldn't and tuning into thoughts Matt's perceived powers include seeing things he normally wouldn't and hearing people's thoughts, as well as potentially bending time and space.
Question 6
What does Matt decide to do to uncover what happened to Maya?
- Confront Tariq directly
- Infiltrate Tariq's life
- Ask his mother for information
- Use his powers from a distance
Show answer
B. Infiltrate Tariq's life Matt's plan is to get close to Tariq by infiltrating his life to use his perceived powers to find answers.
Question 7
The novel is compared to which other YA books?
- The Hunger Games and Divergent
- More Happy Than Not and Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future
- The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska
- Eleanor & Park and Fangirl
Show answer
B. More Happy Than Not and Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future The book's description explicitly mentions it's similar to 'More Happy Than Not' and 'Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future'.
Question 8
What is a central theme explored in the novel, besides addiction and friendship?
- Environmentalism
- Body image
- Political activism
- Space exploration
Show answer
B. Body image The summary highlights body image as a key theme in the novel.
Question 9
What does the narrative suggest about Matt's control over his 'powers' and his hunger?
- He has complete control over both.
- He has control over his powers but not his hunger.
- He doesn't realize he isn't in control of all kinds of hunger.
- He loses control of his powers but maintains control of his hunger.
Show answer
C. He doesn't realize he isn't in control of all kinds of hunger. The ending hints that Matt is not fully aware of or in control of all the 'hungers' at play, including potentially his own.
Question 10
What is the underlying reason Matt resists eating, according to the text?
- He is genuinely not hungry.
- He fears gaining weight.
- He believes it hinders his ability to focus and use his powers.
- He is trying to punish himself.
Show answer
C. He believes it hinders his ability to focus and use his powers. Matt believes that the hunger 'clears his mind, keeps him sharp' and is necessary for him to utilize his perceived powers.
The Art of Starving FAQ
What is "The Art of Starving" about?
"The Art of Starving" is a young adult novel about Matt, a bullied gay teenager who believes his starvation is giving him superpowers. He uses these perceived abilities to investigate why his sister left and to confront his bullies, all while battling his eating disorder.
What are the main themes in "The Art of Starving"?
The novel explores themes of body image, addiction, self-acceptance, bullying, and the complexities of hunger, both literal and emotional. It delves into the psychological impact of eating disorders and the search for power and control.
Is "The Art of Starving" a fantasy novel?
While the protagonist believes he has developed superpowers through starvation, the novel is grounded in psychological realism and contemporary issues. The 'powers' can be interpreted as a manifestation of his mental state and coping mechanisms, blending elements of fantasy with a gritty, realistic portrayal of his struggles.
What kind of protagonist is Matt?
Matt is a complex and sympathetic protagonist who is struggling with an eating disorder, bullying, and the desire to protect his family. His journey is one of self-discovery and confronting his own internal and external challenges.
How does "The Art of Starving" address eating disorders?
The book portrays eating disorders realistically, showing the physical and psychological toll they take. It highlights how Matt uses starvation as a form of control and a perceived path to power, while also acknowledging the dangerous and destructive nature of these behaviors.
Who is the target audience for "The Art of Starving"?
This novel is primarily aimed at young adults who enjoy contemporary fiction with psychological depth and elements of fantasy. It is suitable for readers interested in stories about identity, mental health, and overcoming adversity.
What is the tone of the book?
The tone of "The Art of Starving" is often darkly funny and moving. It balances the seriousness of Matt's struggles with moments of wit and emotional resonance, creating a compelling and engaging narrative.
What does the title "The Art of Starving" refer to?
The title refers to Matt's belief that he has mastered the act of starving, turning it into a skill or 'art' that grants him perceived powers. It also alludes to the deeper, more complex hungers he experiences, both emotional and psychological.
About the author
Sam J. Miller is an author known for his fiction, including the novel "The Art of Starving." His work often explores themes of identity and resilience, drawing from personal experiences. Miller's writing has garnered attention for its emotional depth and unique perspective.
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