Reviews

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

bookowl07's review against another edition

challenging emotional 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? Yes

4.25

lapomme's review

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

booksbea's review against another edition

4.0

Sylvia Plath is a brilliant writer, she is so honest, and often times wrong, that you do really feel that you are reading her conscience on paper. Which makes her mental downfall so much more impactful. This is definitely a must-read.
4.25

another_flanders's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-paced

4.75

_ela4's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

anyavedantambe's review against another edition

5.0

I've never read a book like this. Plath writes poetically and with remarkable insight. Nearly every page there was something that I stopped and thought about. You don't need to be suffering a mental breakdown for this book to resonate with you. The fig tree story, for example, expressed my anxieties with an unnerving amount of accuracy.
This book has gotten a reputation of being for sad teenage girls, but I genuinely think that everyone can find something insightful in it.
Also, it's funny. I didn't think I would laugh reading this book, but Plath is surprisingly witty.
10/10 recommend.

askatknits's review against another edition

4.0

I have never read a book that started with Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. A difficult story to listen to - electric shock therapy and mental illness. Beautifully written, I highly recommend.

hannah_go03's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective 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

2.25

edesserault's review against another edition

4.0

4.25 stars. The writing was incredible, but definitely trigger warnings for suicide and mental illness. I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this book, but I did really enjoy it for the most part. There were some beautiful quotes that resonated with me and I know I will come back to.

sarrahalem's review against another edition

4.0

At first I didn’t think I’d like it but I ended up loving it. The ending isn’t really an ending tho