nooni56's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ingridostby's review against another edition
5.0
This book is wonderful, and I regret that it took me so long to finally pick it up and read it.
When I was younger, I thought this book was about an older woman battling depression (frankly, my perception was that it dealt more with her family life with Ted Hughes). Instead, it shows a young woman living a brief "glamourous" life as a guest editor at a fashion magazine in Manhattan, then shows her descent into deep depression once she arrives home in Boston.
To see her point of view start to drastically alter as her stay in New York ends was so poignant. She has the most amazingly beautiful way of describing even the simplest of actions. And she never comes out and says, "It was then that I knew I was totally depressed," which is refreshing. Instead you get to witness every subtle blow to her self-esteem, slowly leading to and during her 6 month break down. I found it extraordinarily relatable.
More than that, on a psychological level, it is probably one of the first texts to ever describe almost perfectly the telltale signs of someone who is (or is becoming) suicidal. Impressive, especially because these signs were largely ignored, wrongly categorized, and undocumented at the time of this book's publication.
When I was younger, I thought this book was about an older woman battling depression (frankly, my perception was that it dealt more with her family life with Ted Hughes). Instead, it shows a young woman living a brief "glamourous" life as a guest editor at a fashion magazine in Manhattan, then shows her descent into deep depression once she arrives home in Boston.
To see her point of view start to drastically alter as her stay in New York ends was so poignant. She has the most amazingly beautiful way of describing even the simplest of actions. And she never comes out and says, "It was then that I knew I was totally depressed," which is refreshing. Instead you get to witness every subtle blow to her self-esteem, slowly leading to and during her 6 month break down. I found it extraordinarily relatable.
More than that, on a psychological level, it is probably one of the first texts to ever describe almost perfectly the telltale signs of someone who is (or is becoming) suicidal. Impressive, especially because these signs were largely ignored, wrongly categorized, and undocumented at the time of this book's publication.
dory_coffee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
catjoelle's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Bitches from the 60s will have a psychotic break and still find the time to be racist
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Racial slurs, and Mental illness
melissa_bee's review against another edition
5.0
They say important books find you when they are supposed to, but I wish I'd read this three to five years ago. I loved it. It may be my new favorite book. On my scale, there are 5 star books and then there are 5+ star books, books you'd take with you if you went on the run. This is one of those books for me.
In tone and style it reminded me of The Catcher in the Rye; in content it reminded me of Girl, Interrupted.
I listened to an audiobook of this, read by Maggie Gyllenhaal. It was perfect. Her performance made the text accessible, relatable and intimate. I found myself wishing/hoping that someone would make a film starring her as Esther Greenwood. Brilliant. If you like audiobooks definitely look for this version.
In tone and style it reminded me of The Catcher in the Rye; in content it reminded me of Girl, Interrupted.
I listened to an audiobook of this, read by Maggie Gyllenhaal. It was perfect. Her performance made the text accessible, relatable and intimate. I found myself wishing/hoping that someone would make a film starring her as Esther Greenwood. Brilliant. If you like audiobooks definitely look for this version.
chelseaalwaysdreams's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
stphcls's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
k_dubzy's review against another edition
5.0
I think I loved it? Yeah…
It was kind of slow-going for me, but really took off at some point. I could strangely see myself in this story. Still in my thoughts about this book. May read it again soon. I also really want to know more about Plath now.
I honestly didn’t think I would like this book, but I’m trying to broaden my reading horizons, so I gave it a go — so glad I did. I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book. Or related to it? Or maybe I just like that it’s making me think? Anyway, I liked it.
It was kind of slow-going for me, but really took off at some point. I could strangely see myself in this story. Still in my thoughts about this book. May read it again soon. I also really want to know more about Plath now.
I honestly didn’t think I would like this book, but I’m trying to broaden my reading horizons, so I gave it a go — so glad I did. I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book. Or related to it? Or maybe I just like that it’s making me think? Anyway, I liked it.