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4.64 AVERAGE
4.64 AVERAGE
Meticulously researched and chock full of new information and insights, this biography stands apart from and above all others in its depiction of Plath’s life, death and legacy through the lens of her art rather than the myths that have grown around her. It’s a stunning work, impossible to put down and it leaves the reader with so much to ponder about the “what ifs” of such a magnificent artist.
This book had so much information about Plath. And I can say from the bottom of my heart I hate her husband Ted. He seemed to be the main thing that kept pushing and pulling on her. Plus what society was like at the time and how she was pushed down so many times simply because of her sex. I would have thrown some fists at people. She can either be a muse or a writer quote made my blood boil. There is so much information in here that surprised me and at times I was near tears. A very good book overall and would be a good book to read for anyone wanting to learn more about her.
so well researched!! took me so long to read because it’s 1200 pages but I did it!!
I haven't technically finished this, but considering I'm 60% through and haven't touched it in a while, I'm crossing it off the list for now. That said, this is such a great illustration of her life in an honest way I've yet to read. I did a lot of Plath research during my MA and it was often disheartening how many people wrote negatively about her, for seemingly no reason and I'm happy to finally read something that portrays all of the hard work she put into her art and the struggles she faced being taken seriously.
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Absolutely incredible! Massive and magnificent. Clark sets out to 'trace Plath's literary and intellectual development rather than her undoing'. What follows is a page-turning account of the life of Sylvia Plath, 'one of the most highly educated women of her generation'. Clark's take on Plath brings a much needed and deserved focus on the social, cultural, and literary context to understand her work and offers a depiction of Plath that takes her professional life seriously. Greatly, greatly recommend!
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
This is the most comprehensive and haunting biography that I have ever read. I would give it more than five stars if I could. As I delved into the pages of Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath by Heather Clark, I found myself immersed in the intricate tapestry of Plath's family history and the mazelike web of her relationships. The towering presence of Ted Hughes in Plath's life left an indelible impression on me. The initial years of their marriage were a poignant portrayal of love, but as their bond unravelled, my heart ached for Plath. The stark reality of Hughes' extramarital affairs leaving lasting scars on Plath's life was a bitter pill to swallow. I was like a wreck reading about the crumbling marriage. My thoughts were consumed by their tragedy, and the sheer magnitude of their downfall was unfathomable. Nevertheless, I do believe their love was unconditional. Now I approach Plath's life and work with a deeper understanding and heightened empathy. While we cannot alter the course of someone's life, we possess the choice to honour the enduring legacy they have left behind.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, Grief, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Abandonment