Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

104 reviews

bugsanddirt's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction and Alcohol

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

siannn's review against another edition

dark slow-paced

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

1.0

Anti-Semitic mess. Not a book to be adored, it gets its lone star for the unfortunate realsism of suicidal thoughts. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Antisemitism, Blood, Racial slurs, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Death, Bullying, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Medical content, Misogyny, Mental illness, and Racism

Minor: Body shaming

nikexistiertnik's review against another edition

challenging dark

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

2.75

though i liked the writing style and the type of storytelling, and could even relate to some of the struggles esther was facing, it was just very hard to see past all the woman on woman hate, racism, fatphobia and then even homophobia, that was expressed through esther's thoughts.
she was an extremely unlikable character, which didn't justify the way she was treated, but still made it hard for me to really enjoy the book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Suicide, Blood, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Homophobia, Medical content, and Vomit

Minor: Grief, Alcohol, and Death of parent

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

pun1sher's review against another edition

reflective tense slow-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? N/A

3.5

I definitely expected something darker and ended up being just slightly disappointed because of that. But then again I guess this book is dark for people who haven't struggled with mental illness and suicidal thoughts. For me it was just relatable 

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Racism, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Vomit

Minor: Antisemitism, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Suicide, Self harm, and Sexual content

Attempted rape, mildly detailed labour, shock therapy

esme_may's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

This book is really unique in how it deals with suicide and depression. It's so matter of fact and avoids being overdramatic, illustrating things subtly with some of the most gorgeous turns of phrase I've ever read 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Fatphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Suicide

Moderate: Rape, Sexism, Racism, Ableism, Alcohol, Body shaming, Death, Medical content, Racial slurs, and Sexual content

Minor: Bullying, Lesbophobia, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment

sweetchocolatez's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Sexism, Racism, Racial slurs, Misogyny, Mental illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Forced institutionalization, Death, Cursing, and Alcohol

Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Vomit, and Toxic friendship

clare072's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad fast-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Medical content, Medical trauma, Racial slurs, Blood, Forced institutionalization, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Pregnancy, Sexism, Rape, Alcohol, Confinement, Death, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

daynacruz01's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Self harm, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Medical content, and Confinement

Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny

Minor: Drug use and Alcohol