A review by pixieless
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-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

this book should be 5 stars. from its masterful depiction of depression and it’s magnificent prose, I adored this book throughout the majority of its saddening pages. unfortunately the racism plath casually dropped into the narrative for absolutely no reason or sense really added nothing to the story (not that racism has any reason or value in any narrative sense.) i was disappointed and disgusted with her treatment of and views on the only black character in her story, looking down on a black nurse in the asylum for literally no reason in story terms, unless she was trying to make esther seem incredibly unlikeable. you would think this shameful revelation of her character would take away more stars, and it probably should, but the story up until then was presented so beautifully, i would have to award 5 stars for what the story could’ve been. from the glorious descriptions of doreen’s dewy skin to the heartbreaking reflections on esther’s depressive episodes, i was completely enthralled, and honestly rather forlorn reading these melancholic episodes. I wish plath didn’t feel the need to add the unexpected, unscrupulous and unnecessary racism as it totally detracted from my sympathy for esther as a tortured character, as despite everything she was feeling and had gone through up until that point, there was no excuse for her views towards the african-american  man she was talking to. aside from this horrific point, the book is incredible and I wish I could rate it higher for how it describes the depression that I often feel in such an honest and raw fashion. i would say it’s a beautiful depiction of depression due to her incredible use of prose and descriptive language, but in all honesty, sylvia plath had no qualms in depicting depression in the horrible, terrifying manner it truly is.
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