alsira98's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death, and Suicidal thoughts
cupofbooksreviews's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Self harm, Death of parent, Death, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
schoppp's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Suicide, Death, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness
sergiogt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The beginning was really confusing for me, not sure where the story was headed to be honest. I appreciate adjectives to better picture what the characters are seeing/living but the comparisons and descriptions felt a tad too overcomplicated in style.
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Eating disorder, Death, Medical trauma, Suicide, Mental illness, Vomit, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Self harm, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Blood
lin_manual's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
aleole123's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Sylvia plath is without doubt a genius her writing is sublime and the way she describes the characters and everything around them is marvelous
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Mental illness, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death, Self harm, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, and Racism
Minor: Gun violence and Death of parent
gilnean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Ableism, Fatphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Self harm, Medical trauma, Body shaming, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Mental illness, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Xenophobia, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, and Vomit
Minor: Child death, Terminal illness, Cancer, Cursing, Bullying, Xenophobia, Excrement, Animal death, Miscarriage, Murder, Death, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Antisemitism
krissy_'s review against another edition
4.5
Esther (I don't want to call her our protagonist, but we do follow her story) does not just represent Plath but anyone who has dealt with or is dealing with depression. At the beginning of the story you witness the early signs of her depression and the symptoms that normally get tested for nowadays. And as the story continues you begin to see how her depression grows and her process of dealing with it.
This novel is filled with analogies and metaphors that depict the inner mind of someone dealing with depression.
Spoiler
Through the The Bell Jar which symbolises the idea of being trapped in ones own mind while the rest of the world moves on. One is being suffocated in their air, their own demons, and slowly becomes detached to the world. And each time they try to leave the bell jar, they are reminded that they are no longer part that world. They exist in this one spot, to never grow and escape. Whereas the world continues to live without them. To The Fig Tree which symbolises the overwhelment of making a decision. Too scared to choose the wrong thing and loose the correct option. Being so paralysed in your thoughts that you loose all.
The novel also shows how bad the mental health care system was back then.
Spoiler
Through the doctor not listening to Esther's plea to not go through shock therapy again. And then placing her in a program where she got it 2-3 times a week.
Alongside seeing the every day battle that unfortunately women still deal with today. With the idea of being inadequate as a female. And the constant battle with social norms. With Esther having to work extra hard to be taken seriously within the arts. And the questioning looks and disbelief when she provides her input on marriage and children. Along with the lack of safety around certain male characters. And as a reader, when you relate to these things in one form or another. When you read this and are transported to your own events. It makes the book harder to swallow, as you see Esther dissociate herself from the world more and more after each event. And that feeling becomes more and more familiar. So although I think this book is a good book for anyone to read, I think for a women it is really important.
I also want to note that this novel was written in the 50s. And unfortunately we do see some of the problematic prejudice in this novel. And as a person who is part of more than one minority that was disgussed in a negative manner, I want to state that the time period does not excuse it. Unfortunately a lot of classics (not all thankfully) do have these viewpoints. And this needs to be pointed out to people prior if they are going to pick the book up. And it is okay to call out these topics as it is not okay at any time.
And in terms of the depiction of mental health (which is why I love this novel) I know there will be a lot of people who read this book and recognise their own battle they have had in the past. So I want to say I am proud of you for still being here. And for those who are seeing their current battle, I am proud of you for getting up this morning. And I want you to know that you have people who care about you.
This novel does have vivid imagery so if it gets too much, know that it is okay to DNF. And please put your mental health first!
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death, Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Self harm
megsalot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Sexual violence, Self harm, Blood, Forced institutionalization, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, and Death
bookcentipede's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
And because of the scathing descriptions of friends, family and herself however I think this gives a very real portrait of the experience of depression for a woman like Plath in the 1960’s.
I admire it’s candidacy and awareness of its unlikeableness and believe this book is essential for understanding the world through a lense of what depression can be like.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Mental illness, Fatphobia, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Racism, Self harm, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Grief