Reviews

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

lurker_stalker's review against another edition

5.0

Loved it. Plan to read it again at some point.

luci_thm's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

I knew that living in the 60s as a mentally ill person wasn’t a pleasant experience but this book really opened my eyes and made me realise how HORRIBLE it must’ve been back then. 
apart from that I love sylvia plath’s writing so much, you can just tell when an author is also a poet and the fig tree analogy might actually be the best thing that has ever been written. the main characters views on marriage, having kids and choosing a career are so ahead of it’s time and I felt so seen by them, I cant believe this was written almost 60 years ago.

jasminer99's review against another edition

One of the
Most engaging and interesting narrative voices, I have encountered.

hazelnutperson's review

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

sophiaiscoolxd's review

dark reflective

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

sylvia plath u literary genius 

dreaming1_0's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring reflective 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? No

5.0

kisa_044's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-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

2.75

I found Esther to be really annoying. I didn't care for any of the characters.
The only thing I found good was the language as it was kind of poetic. But other than that I don't understand why it became such a known and classic book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

thewriterrose's review against another edition

4.0

I considered looking more into this before writing my review, but I don't think I have to to convince someone else to read this. While the story can move kind of slow, even in the stillness of this book, there are moments that feel so real to someone who has struggled with their mental health. Without getting too deeply into the quotes and the way they relate to me personally, Plath's words are simple and beautiful. Even lines about looking out windows and the feelings that set in as you take a hot bath. Maybe this isn't the most eloquent review, but I think this would be a good read for anyone who not only struggles with mental health, but to maintain relationships when you struggle to connect with the people around you.

isajervis's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

5.0

jaylamonae's review against another edition

3.0

i got in a bit of a reading slump after chapter 8 but it’s a good book.