Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

74 reviews

allapaz's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• 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

4.75

I’m not sure what I expected this book to be like but it was far better than expected. A classic for a reason, so thrilled it’s making the rounds in sad girl insta and booktube, a very worthwhile read. Esther does wonders to make one feel seen

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Self harm

hannahjuliano's review against another edition

dark emotional sad 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Racism, and Panic attacks/disorders

sianjkh's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

top 10 books that have shaped my being for better or for worse. I've read The Bell Jar twice now, and i have a communal copy i lend out to friends that i don't think will end up in a hospital upon reading it. Esther Greenwood just like me fr fr

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Suicide, and Death

Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexual content

Minor: Racial slurs, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Racism, Medical trauma, and Medical content

lucymoosie's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad tense slow-paced

• 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Confinement, Mental illness, Grief, Suicide, Self harm, Death, Suicide attempt, and Panic attacks/disorders

hallenoelle's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I have always been deeply interested in the idea of the “mad woman” and how has society treats women with mental illnesses throughout history. The Bell Jar is a raw, disturbing, and realistic depiction of what so many women went through and why. The turn from the fun and youthful vibe at the beginning to the gut-wrenching plot twist had me captivated. I could not give this book 5 stars, however, because of the incomplete romance(ish) with Buddy Willard and because of how problematic this book is today. Not really a spoiler but warning anyway for the next sentence!

I hate when a character hates another character and we never find out why and that is exactly the case with Buddy and Esther

. This book has countless moments of racism that really took me out of the story and made me super uncomfortable. And lastly, please do not read this book unless you are POSITIVE you can handle it. It is full of triggers for those who have struggled with mental illness, grief, SA, EDs, and suicidal thoughts. Please read with caution - but if you are interested in women’s history and feminist literature I would recommend!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Suicide, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Medical trauma, Rape, Grief, Confinement, Eating disorder, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Racism, Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Sexual violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexism

fleursreads's review against another edition

dark reflective sad tense slow-paced

• 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

4.5

it's a book you have to be in the right mental space to enjoy

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Mental illness, Dysphoria, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Classism, Body horror, Racial slurs, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicidal thoughts

lvyy's review against another edition

dark reflective sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Forced institutionalization

jaiden_grey's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• 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

4.25

If I didn’t relate to the main character as much and didn’t think my future is any way tied with how she lives her life, I might’ve given this book a lower rating. I feel like Esther didn’t change as much in this book as I would have liked her to. I didn’t really feel a solid direction in terms of the plot, which is fine but I think the book would have benefited from something like that.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Sexual assault

uglyflop's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Rape, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, and Sexism

cameronhewett's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Suicide, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical content, Suicide attempt, and Self harm