Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

74 reviews

karol99's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.75

I am really glad I finally read this book! I enjoyed that way it was written, there have been multiple sections of the book that I have underlined because the way Plath worded things was so eloquently done. I really enjoyed the way she tackled different forms of mysogyny as well as mental health all while the reader has to keep in mind that this book as well as the character is from the 60's - which is also clearly evident in the cultural/societal response to women and mental health at the time.

I specifically had a moment of reflection where I had to jot down my thoughts on mirrors and it's role in the story (Plath, p. 168): 

[Esther asked to see a mirror, and the nurse ignored her]
'Why can't I?'
'Because you better not.' The nurse shut the lid of the overnight case with a little snap. 
'Why?' 
'Because you don't look very pretty.' 

I also had a discussion with my mum about it. All the different factors and layers that were held in such a short line:  'Because you don't look very pretty.'  

I will leave at 4.75, and see how the book will further impact me - and if it does, now that I have finished it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death

Moderate: Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Racism, Physical abuse, Blood, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Grief, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Classism, Bullying, and Body shaming

bethy_joy's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Grief, Medical trauma, and Sexual content

stelladafloresta's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

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

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Alcohol, Ableism, Racism, and Toxic relationship

beauvisseau'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

Gripping story of a young girl's fight with her own mind. It starts as a somewhat feminist YA literary novel but descends into the dark parts of a person's mind. A true journey to have experienced, but a very cautious recommendation. Please check the constent warnings before reading.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Self harm, Medical trauma, Blood, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Mental illness, Medical content, Grief, and Forced institutionalization

saradanese's review against another edition

dark reflective 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Drug abuse

Moderate: Sexual content and Medical content

Minor: Racism and Panic attacks/disorders

stormykat's review against another edition

dark tense

3.5

This book is the reason behind my anxiety and fear surrounding aging, childbirth, being a woman, etc.

Sooooooo well-written, but I wouldn't recommend to anyone who isn't in a pristine headspace. Be mindful of content warnings before picking this one up, that advice is from experience.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Drug abuse, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Eating disorder, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Mental illness, Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicidal thoughts

halcyonkathryn's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Medical content, Fatphobia, Blood, Self harm, Racial slurs, Body shaming, Death, Drug abuse, Suicide, Racism, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Vomit, Xenophobia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia

Minor: Cultural appropriation, Classism, and Eating disorder

lunimoony's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense fast-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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Forced institutionalization, Racism, Mental illness, Death, Suicide attempt, and Suicide

sydoodle's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

Changed my life. Sylvia Plath may you rest in peace <3

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Content Warnings

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

lyssalw's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Self harm

Moderate: Misogyny and Panic attacks/disorders