esmeheath's reviews
19 reviews

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

emotional mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.75

‘The Bell Jar’ encapsulates the dullness and mundanity of depression. It expresses the odd and surreal perspectives of the mentally ill and how they dissociate from reality. 

While also conveying how depression influences one’s opinions on personal relationships, it shows the anxiety and edginess the future brings when you can’t motivate yourself enough to alter it for your own good (I.e the fig tree analogy)

The book portrays mental health struggles in a realistic way due to the semi autobiographical nature of the book - demonstrating Sylvia Plaths own personal feelings and issues while also providing a fictitious story for the readers. 
A great read :)

East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Did not finish book.

The Trial by Franz Kafka

challenging dark informative mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.25

I Have No Mouth & I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison

challenging dark reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

Cujo by Stephen King

dark tense fast-paced

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

4.75

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

challenging emotional reflective relaxing slow-paced

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

4.5

A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers

challenging dark medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cannibalism and Murder

What Lies Between Us by John Marrs

dark tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Earthlings by Sayaka Murata

dark emotional reflective 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

3.5

1984 by George Orwell
Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.