Reviews tagging 'Racism'

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

800 reviews

matcha_cat's review against another edition

challenging dark 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? It's complicated

3.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Medical content, and Vomit

Moderate: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Blood, and Sexual violence

Minor: Suicide, Death, Racism, and Racial slurs

katanai's review against another edition

dark sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.75

i think the last quarter of this book really boosted my rating. honestly, there were several times i put this book down & considered placing it in DNF. the racist remarks were something that i was utterly unprepared for & they had no place in this book. it was just odd how racist & homophobic plath was. anyway, besides that, the first half of this book was quite boring, & i felt as if her descent into madness was a little out of nowhere. but then, sometimes, that's how madness happens, unfortunately. i did tear up at some points during her stay at the mental health institutions but i think i just got triggered due to personal connection to people who have been at institutes. also, the protagonist was just... unlikeable & not in a good way. i can see why it's a classic, but at the same time, i think it is a little overhyped. glad to just finally be done.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Suicide, Mental illness, Death, Self harm, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Sexual violence, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Vomit, Homophobia, and Classism

alishamegan'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? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Interesting , could do without the racism though

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Blood, Homophobia, Racism, Suicide, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Medical trauma, and Sexism

rebeccaehockin's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Racism, Suicide attempt, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Fatphobia

soapfaced's review against another edition

dark funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs

dielilla's review against another edition

dark 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

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Racism, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Suicide

katie69's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Suicide, Mental illness, and Racism

jez_bel's review against another edition

dark reflective sad slow-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

4.25

I had very high expectations for this book, and I have to admit I am a little disappointed. I wanted more from the narrative, I thought it lacked some sense of a bigger message. Some parts resonated with me and touched me, but not as much as other books i’ve read. Nonetheless, it’s amazingly written and will forever be a classic. Considering the social context of when it was published, it’s amazing what themes were explored. Could have passed on the racism.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

meghanbisreading's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism

zttd's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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

4.25

While the portrayal of all non-white and overweight characters was unpleasant and continuously caught me by surprise, the book delves into mental health struggles in a confrontingly real manner. A painful, beautifully written novel that I am glad to have read. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt

Moderate: Racism and Fatphobia