A review by parsnips
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

The good: This is a well written book that manages to capture depression in a show-don't-tell kind of way which I found admiring. There is a certain lack of empathy from the main character towards the people in her life. She is rather harsh to other interns, friends and her mom. From what I know about depression, empathy often disappears when people slip into depression and depression can lead to a self-centred world view, self-isolation and loneliness. Esther shows all of this. 

The bad: I thought the book lacked reflection and the ending felt cut off. We don't get to see Esther build a new life on the new (emotional) freedom that she found (perhaps a reflection on the author's life). Esther never reflects on how her behaviour influences other people or how they may have done so in the past. In a way, although she feels better, the book ends before Esther can move past her depression. Thus, the book lacked resolve for me. All in all the book left me feeling icky and I was glad to finish it. 
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