Reviews

The Bell Jar, by Sylvia Plath

limalemur's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

graceafmc's review against another edition

challenging emotional medium-paced

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

2.0

vinogyal's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

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

4.5

looneytunes's review against another edition

dark sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Homophobia, Misogyny, Suicide, Racism, and Self harm

arloocall's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt and Suicidal thoughts

vanessabuergi's review against another edition

dark reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.25

jaensimone's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 / 5 - As someone who lives with mental illness, I love how realistically this book depicts the every-day happenings of a person in a downward spiral. Shocking scenes and actions are detailed in very ordinary ways, because that's kind of how they feel in reality, like they are just what's happening, nothing major. The writing is so exact. The only reason I took off half a star was because I was expecting to be more shocked and awed based on other people's reactions and reviews. Buuuuut that probably says more about me than the book itself.

ilana_pop's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Loveable characters? No

1.0

Incredible writing? No. Flagrant racism? Yes. 
We have so many better classics than this one. Honestly, don't bother. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Racism

kyraelayne's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

sadchocobo's review against another edition

3.0

it was good but it didn't shake my soul or leave an impact on me after finishing it. it's written well and i enjoyed it, especially the later darker parts. it's a solid book, but i probably wouldn't re-read it. my expectations were a little high, cause it's one of those books that everyone seems to love.
well, when it comes to books about depression or mental illness i think i would need something heavier to move me, because my own mind has been to way darker places already. overall it was a nice read, but not as great as i thought it would be.