Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

13 reviews

mysafe_place's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad 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

2.5

Considering this book is partially based on Plaths own life it would feel wrong to bash this book in any way. Though I have to say that it was less than I expected. The first hundred pages were simply a dull retelling of Esther's daily life and just when we started to get a more profound view into her emotions and current mental state it switched to the most mundane occurrence again. I definitely enjoyed a great part of the book, yet it was not as philosophical (if I may say so) as I expected it to be. Good alliterations and some allusions, but rhetorically placed in a questionable way. Still a good book. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, and Medical trauma

Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Blood, and Cultural appropriation

jastasticxoxo's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

This book is excellent. I see why it is a modern classic. I connect so deeply with Esther and Sylvia Plath has always spoken to me in a way no other author or poet has. Esther is such a deeply timeless and relatable character and I love the frankness, honesty and bluntness Sylvia Plath wrote with. Men have been acting with the same violent wilful idiocy for all of time and it’s insane how many of the experiences plath writes about here I and every single afab person I know have experienced. I love this book so much. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, and Alcohol

rhiannonmohar's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug use, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol

jordan_noel's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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 loved this book. Yet I'm not sure I have the capacity to state my love of it without insulting the book.

Esther is self-aware and knows when her mental state is declining. She notices her moods and interests slipping and a strange, hazy, dark cloud descending over her life. She tells us wittily of the sane people who seem to mock her and rub their vital mentalities in her face as she knows just how messed up she has become.

 In this autobiographical sense, you get a lot into Sylvia Plath's own life and the struggles she faced, even as creating such magnificent, long-lasting literary works. She describes the feelings of depression, suicidality, never feeling enough, never doing enough, and never being enough in the most beautiful, horrifically accurate detail. She's fought her whole life to be the best, winning awards and a full scholarship to an honorable university. And yet, she still can't feel like anything.

When her work doesn't seem to be enough, she begins to descend, not sure where her worth lies, what she could be, or even who she is now. Wanting to do everything and no longer sure of her capabilities for anything, this book is a scary, detailed fight for the ability to do what you used to, even though it's what made you miserable in the first place.

This is a beautiful book, though, this will be a tough journey for people who struggle with issues similar to Esther's. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Misogyny and Suicide attempt

Minor: Alcoholism

This book does detail experiences in depression and a declining mental state.

Additionally, the main character is institutionalized several times and experiences shock treatments against her will.< / spoiler>

lumiix's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

anna_needsanap's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

summerrains's review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

a very very depressing read. like if you’re not in a good mental state then don’t read this. i do think it’s a very compelling story and insightful to how people with mental issues were treated during the early 20th century. at times the story is slow but overall i think it is medium paced. if you’re trying to read more classic stories and be a well round reader then i definitely think this is one to add to your list. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Sexual content

Minor: Alcoholism

karol99's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny 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

4.75

I am really glad I finally read this book! I enjoyed that way it was written, there have been multiple sections of the book that I have underlined because the way Plath worded things was so eloquently done. I really enjoyed the way she tackled different forms of mysogyny as well as mental health all while the reader has to keep in mind that this book as well as the character is from the 60's - which is also clearly evident in the cultural/societal response to women and mental health at the time.

I specifically had a moment of reflection where I had to jot down my thoughts on mirrors and it's role in the story (Plath, p. 168): 

[Esther asked to see a mirror, and the nurse ignored her]
'Why can't I?'
'Because you better not.' The nurse shut the lid of the overnight case with a little snap. 
'Why?' 
'Because you don't look very pretty.' 

I also had a discussion with my mum about it. All the different factors and layers that were held in such a short line:  'Because you don't look very pretty.'  

I will leave at 4.75, and see how the book will further impact me - and if it does, now that I have finished it.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical trauma, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, and Classism

i_love_swimming_and_you's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-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

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment

elizam114's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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? Yes

4.0

i enjoyed it! it can be sad to see mental illness first hand, especially since sylvia plath’s life was similar to the main character. the story kept me engaged and i recommend it!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Racism