Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

The Bell Jar: 50th Anniversary Edition by Sylvia Plath

43 reviews

lovelessens's review against another edition

dark 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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

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

cinnaminskies's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective relaxing sad slow-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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism

emwinters's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective sad tense 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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

_danicortes's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.75

Es una historia difícil de leer. Tuve que parar en varias ocasiones. Me resulta inimaginable el dolor de Sylvia Plath. Creo que el primer párrafo del texto transmite exactamente lo que será el resto del libro

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Blood, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Medical trauma, and Lesbophobia

Minor: Infidelity, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Vomit

rebeccais's review against another edition

emotional 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

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Physical abuse, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

z0333's review against another edition

dark 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

4.5

a little racist but amazing quotes 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, and Suicide attempt

faithmilne's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-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

3.75

I can acknowledge that Plath’s writing is stunning but that being said, I’m so disappointed in this book!! I found Esther to be very unlikable. The way she described people was typically deplorable which was just exhausting by the end of the book. It may be just that I am very mentally ill, but the triggering content in this book almost made it not worth it for me to read. I do think (almost) everyone should read this book once, and I am very glad I did, but it was fairly hard to get through even though it was a very fast read. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism

Minor: Homophobia

rbacon's review against another edition

dark emotional 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

It is the literary version of depression and I kept imagining Esther as Gwenyth Paltrow.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Physical abuse and Rape

lexi_lee1020's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-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

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, and Alcohol