Reviews

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

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tuliterary's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

“There ought, I thought, to be a ritual for being born twice — patched, retreaded and approved for the road.”

jessreallywantsitall's review against another edition

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4.0

"“How did I know that someday--at college, in Europe, somewhere, anywhere--the bell jar, with its stifling distortions, wouldn’t descend again?”

I've never read anything that describes falling into depression as well as this book. It felt very comforting to be able to have words linked to the emotions I've felt and how hopeless it seems when you're falling and you don't know how to stop. Well written and an important book for me, personally.

feeheeheeny's review against another edition

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3.0

I probably would've liked this more if it wasn't for the jarring racism and fatphobia

jadenmarie's review against another edition

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4.0

I loved this! I expected it to be much more confusing and hard to follow, but I wad interested the whole time and understood almost everything. Really good!

lemondropshot's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

littlebeereads'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? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book felt like a truly real account of what it feels like to fall into mental illness. It’s a book that I feel depicts it the best and without a slow and simple plot still reads fantastically and beautifully. It almost feels like a diary of the main character so you feel very connected to her.

Content Warnings