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aloy'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
2.75
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, 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: Death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment
bananapie123'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
4.25
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Suicide attempt
gilnean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Confinement, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Cursing, Death, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Excrement, Antisemitism, Death of parent, and Murder
krissy_'s review against another edition
4.5
Esther (I don't want to call her our protagonist, but we do follow her story) does not just represent Plath but anyone who has dealt with or is dealing with depression. At the beginning of the story you witness the early signs of her depression and the symptoms that normally get tested for nowadays. And as the story continues you begin to see how her depression grows and her process of dealing with it.
This novel is filled with analogies and metaphors that depict the inner mind of someone dealing with depression.
Through the The Bell Jar which symbolises the idea of being trapped in ones own mind while the rest of the world moves on. One is being suffocated in their air, their own demons, and slowly becomes detached to the world. And each time they try to leave the bell jar, they are reminded that they are no longer part that world. They exist in this one spot, to never grow and escape. Whereas the world continues to live without them. To The Fig Tree which symbolises the overwhelment of making a decision. Too scared to choose the wrong thing and loose the correct option. Being so paralysed in your thoughts that you loose all.
The novel also shows how bad the mental health care system was back then.
Through the doctor not listening to Esther's plea to not go through shock therapy again. And then placing her in a program where she got it 2-3 times a week.
Alongside seeing the every day battle that unfortunately women still deal with today. With the idea of being inadequate as a female. And the constant battle with social norms. With Esther having to work extra hard to be taken seriously within the arts. And the questioning looks and disbelief when she provides her input on marriage and children. Along with the lack of safety around certain male characters. And as a reader, when you relate to these things in one form or another. When you read this and are transported to your own events. It makes the book harder to swallow, as you see Esther dissociate herself from the world more and more after each event. And that feeling becomes more and more familiar. So although I think this book is a good book for anyone to read, I think for a women it is really important.
I also want to note that this novel was written in the 50s. And unfortunately we do see some of the problematic prejudice in this novel. And as a person who is part of more than one minority that was disgussed in a negative manner, I want to state that the time period does not excuse it. Unfortunately a lot of classics (not all thankfully) do have these viewpoints. And this needs to be pointed out to people prior if they are going to pick the book up. And it is okay to call out these topics as it is not okay at any time.
And in terms of the depiction of mental health (which is why I love this novel) I know there will be a lot of people who read this book and recognise their own battle they have had in the past. So I want to say I am proud of you for still being here. And for those who are seeing their current battle, I am proud of you for getting up this morning. And I want you to know that you have people who care about you.
This novel does have vivid imagery so if it gets too much, know that it is okay to DNF. And please put your mental health first!
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment
dakotuhhh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The protagonists age just adds to their hubris because to them, no one in history has ever suffered as much as they them. Anyone who takes this at face value is missing the point. I’ve heard both books described as eye roll inducing and that’s really disappointing.
You have to take into account Esther’s severe depression otherwise you’ll mistake the very real experience of the collapse into suicidal thoughts as the overly dramatic feelings of a naive 19 year old.
This has all been said before by much smarter people than me, but I’d hate to see this book misunderstood. I think I would have misunderstood this book if I had read it any younger.
Graphic: Sexual violence, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
lakea'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
4.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Medical content, Dementia, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, and Grief
franniiia'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
2.75
Overall just not really for me, I guess.
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Ableism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
lumiix'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: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
mariesophiee'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: Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Misogyny and Sexism