Reviews with content warning for Sexual violence - The Bell Jar

I really liked the story overall, even if it had me heart-broken throughout. It feels realisticly painful and manages to cover what drove Esther to her situations well. An open ending however felt a bit anticlimactic even if a bit more interesting due to the different interpretations.

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.

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bananapie123's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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gilnean's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

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krissy_'s review against another edition

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4.5

As it is a book that is partially based of Plath's real life, it makes reading it all the more tragic. Especially as not long after this book was published, Plath herself lost her battle with depression and took her own life. So before I get into this review, knowing the above, and that this book does cover dark imagery. Please check all trigger warnings (not just the ones I have mentioned, as I put the stuff down that would have been triggering for me when I was younger but I sometimes can't pick up on things that could be triggering for others).

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!

Content Warnings

dakotuhhh's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

I really loved this book. I’ve always heard it compared to Catcher in the Rye which I can understand. Both stories are about young people going through something they don’t fully understand. To me at least, The Bell Jar explores and communicates the experience of loss of innocence and how mental health can play a huge part in that far better than Catcher.

The protagonists age just adds to their hubris because to them, no one in history has ever suffered as much as they them. Anyone who takes this at face value is missing the point. I’ve heard both books described as eye roll inducing and that’s really disappointing.

You have to take into account Esther’s severe depression otherwise you’ll mistake the very real experience of the collapse into suicidal thoughts as the overly dramatic feelings of a naive 19 year old.

This has all been said before by much smarter people than me, but I’d hate to see this book misunderstood. I think I would have misunderstood this book if I had read it any younger.

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lakea's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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