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proudtobeabookaholic's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
The Bell Jar was Sylvia Plath's only novel, and it was first published in 1963 under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas. One month after the publication Plath ended her life. The book is semi-autobiographical, as it is partially based on her own life. Despite dealing with depression and suicide attempts I don't find the novel altogether dark. It's quite interesting, and brilliantly narrated by Maggie Gyllenhaal. I started and finished the book on the same day!
Graphic: Vomit, Eating disorder, Medical trauma, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
cecilialau_'s review against another edition
4.0
Esther is a deeply real/emotional/hurt/traumatised and interesting character who is more and more obviously going through dread and is disillusioned about life, but I found it very well-done how she herself goes through the motions of her state of mind. There are glimpses here and there but she seems shut off from herself.
A few things happen I would have liked more details about (mainly later on) but they don’t affect the rating/experience. And I also want to add that I admire the way that it is implied rather than spelled out how Esther gets to where she does mentally and emotionally (bc body and mind are connected) and how the change happens gradually and inconspicuously (which is quite realistic).
The book is very well-written apart from some stereotypical language use here and there.
Graphic: Body shaming, Grief, Alcohol, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Death of parent, Body horror, Death, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Infidelity, Medical content, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
alex_emilia_smith's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Confinement, Medical content, Racial slurs, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Sexism, Self harm, Body shaming, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Medical trauma, Sexual harassment, Mental illness, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Death of parent, Alcohol, Vomit, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny
brainrot_197's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Medical content, Self harm, Forced institutionalization, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Fatphobia, Racism, Alcohol, Eating disorder, Sexism, and Misogyny
tita_loves_literature's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Graphic: Eating disorder, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Death
ludmireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Eating disorder, Medical content, Blood, Self harm, and Suicide
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Alcohol
sergiogt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The beginning was really confusing for me, not sure where the story was headed to be honest. I appreciate adjectives to better picture what the characters are seeing/living but the comparisons and descriptions felt a tad too overcomplicated in style.
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Eating disorder, Death, Medical trauma, Suicide, Mental illness, Vomit, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Self harm, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Blood
seapotatohowisitalrtaken's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Eating disorder, Grief, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Racial slurs
dragonflyyzzi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Drug use, Mental illness, Eating disorder, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
lessoles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, and Suicide
Moderate: Rape, Medical trauma, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Eating disorder