sunflowerduck's review against another edition
challenging
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dylstormlight's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
4.0
hjung's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? Yes
3.5
readhikerepeat's review against another edition
5.0
From The Book Wheel:
Considering how much I love the movie 10 Things I Hate About You, I’m pretty surprised by how long it has taken me to finally read The Bell Jar. I think it is because I have heard so much about it’s depressing nature that I was wary. How could such a depressing book be so wonderful? But since it is on my 2013 TBR Challenge list, Classics Club challenge and 1001 Books to Read Before You Die list, I finally read it. And now I know why it’s such a hit.
A semi-autobiographical book, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath tells the story of Esther Greenfield, a high achieving young woman who spirals downward into depression and insanity. What surprised me about this book is that I didn’t find it nearly as depressing as I expected it to be and was able to follow her rationalizations for her thoughts and actions. This is one of the reasons for the book’s long-term success, but experiencing it firsthand is a totally different ball game. It reminds me of Elizabeth Wurtzel’s book More, Now, Again: A Memoir of Addiction (she also wrote Prozac Nation), where the reader jumps headfirst down into the rabbit hole with the author.
Prior to reading this book, I had never really paid much attention to Sylvia Plath. I considered her an author that I would get to someday and finally, years later, I am reading her for the first time.
For the full review, click here.
Considering how much I love the movie 10 Things I Hate About You, I’m pretty surprised by how long it has taken me to finally read The Bell Jar. I think it is because I have heard so much about it’s depressing nature that I was wary. How could such a depressing book be so wonderful? But since it is on my 2013 TBR Challenge list, Classics Club challenge and 1001 Books to Read Before You Die list, I finally read it. And now I know why it’s such a hit.
A semi-autobiographical book, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath tells the story of Esther Greenfield, a high achieving young woman who spirals downward into depression and insanity. What surprised me about this book is that I didn’t find it nearly as depressing as I expected it to be and was able to follow her rationalizations for her thoughts and actions. This is one of the reasons for the book’s long-term success, but experiencing it firsthand is a totally different ball game. It reminds me of Elizabeth Wurtzel’s book More, Now, Again: A Memoir of Addiction (she also wrote Prozac Nation), where the reader jumps headfirst down into the rabbit hole with the author.
Prior to reading this book, I had never really paid much attention to Sylvia Plath. I considered her an author that I would get to someday and finally, years later, I am reading her for the first time.
For the full review, click here.
hannah_175's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
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
4.0
trevorusss_700's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
sena_ilwh29's review against another edition
4.0
Kitabı ilk aldığımda sylvia'nın hayatından parçalar taşıdığını bilmiyordum. Sylvia'nın yaşamını da çok bilmiyorum ve bu kitabı okuduktan sonra yazar hakkında bilgi edinmeye karar verdim. Esther'ın hayata olan bakış açısı kitapta çok iyi anlatılıyor ve eminim kitap biraz daha uzun olsaydı büyük ihtimalle bende Esther'ın düşüncelerini kopyalamaya başlardım. Kitap oldukça akıcı ve her şey gün gibi açık. Evet, biraz karamsar ya da depresif ama yazım şekli o kadar duru ki anlamadığınız ya da okurken zorlandığınız bir yerin olacağını düşünmüyorum. Bana biraz Albert Camus'un Yabancısını hatırlatmadı değil. Beğendim ve eğer okumak için herhangi bir işaret arıyorsanız bu o işaret.
flubbinit's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
2.75
After so much hype over the significance of this book, I was really let down. She uses some great metaphors and descriptors, but in between the nice words it was a drag to get through. I have quite a lot of life experiences in common with the main character, so I thought it would be a poignant read for me. This probably would have been a lot more meaningful to me when I was going through what I was going through, and I appreciate the raw emotion and vulnerability behind it, it just wasn't for me at this time in my life. I wish I'd found it 10 years ago when I needed it. It's one of those books that I think people /should/ read, and should be read early on, but actual enjoyment may vary. I'm glad I read it, it just won't linger in my head.