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lunarflare's review against another edition
4.0
interesting book to read in these circumstances… this woman is in hell for sure.
connie_joy's review against another edition
5.0
I read this in one sitting, I sat down this afternoon with this book and said to myself “I’ll read one chapter” (bear in mind I was in a horrific reading slump) and 3 hours later I had finished the book.
It’s so strange, I feels like a fever dream. Like that entire reading experience was outside the boundaries of time.
I loved the writing, and it was so interesting to be viewing the world through Esther’s eyes. It was a heavy read, melancholy and then deeply saddening - but hopeful.
I think the most tragic thing about this novel is that it is based off of Sylvia Plath’s own life. The parallels between her life and Esther’s are very apparent: her outlook, her struggles but not the aspect of hope.
A brilliant book. One I will continue to comeback to.
It’s so strange, I feels like a fever dream. Like that entire reading experience was outside the boundaries of time.
I loved the writing, and it was so interesting to be viewing the world through Esther’s eyes. It was a heavy read, melancholy and then deeply saddening - but hopeful.
I think the most tragic thing about this novel is that it is based off of Sylvia Plath’s own life. The parallels between her life and Esther’s are very apparent: her outlook, her struggles but not the aspect of hope.
A brilliant book. One I will continue to comeback to.
cathkk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
picnicatthehangingtree's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
Docking .25 stars for the racism and homophobia. Otherwise this is a near perfect book for me, I’ll be thinking about it for a long time. I think 25 was a really good age to read it at - that feeling of not knowing what the future holds and having to make your way forward despite all the uncertainty really hit for me. This is such an incredible portrait of life with depression, but with such a hopeful ending for a path moving forward whilst holding space for it as a part of you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Xenophobia, Ableism, Alcohol, Body shaming, Sexual content, Classism, Confinement, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Physical abuse, and Racism
Minor: Infidelity and Pregnancy
grantig's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.0
agneshenriksson's review
dark
reflective
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
4.0
parasocialite's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.25
it’s very similar to the catcher in the rye to me, a preview to a breakdown, but in the bell jars case we see the crash and burn and then the aftermath
fbroom's review against another edition
5.0
Sylvia is a Poet and everything she had ever written is poetic and full of passion.
I felt like I was reading her auto biography which I read last year. It totally tells her story and her pain.
I felt like I was reading her auto biography which I read last year. It totally tells her story and her pain.
andyzaka's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kerrin_h's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
4.0