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rojasnacho's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nicmeiki's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
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
unabridged_reader's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: 3.5
I was both intimidated and intrigued by the premise of The Bell Jar. The novel is about a woman’s unconventional coming-of-age—her floundering career, battle with depression, her sexuality—yet it seems inappropriate to label this novel a bildungsroman, at least in the traditional sense. Esther Greenwood’s experience describes one’s desire for the will to survive, a universal desire that I think everyone, regardless of age, has. Her experiences may have been affected by her journey into adulthood but her story is not defined by her youth.
And it’s truly heartbreaking to learn that Plath committed suicide shortly after The Bell Jar’s publication. It makes me wonder if she wrote the novel’s ending with a sincere hope that the bell jar would never again descend on her/Esther or if she was simply trying to please her audience with this ending.
I was both intimidated and intrigued by the premise of The Bell Jar. The novel is about a woman’s unconventional coming-of-age—her floundering career, battle with depression, her sexuality—yet it seems inappropriate to label this novel a bildungsroman, at least in the traditional sense. Esther Greenwood’s experience describes one’s desire for the will to survive, a universal desire that I think everyone, regardless of age, has. Her experiences may have been affected by her journey into adulthood but her story is not defined by her youth.
And it’s truly heartbreaking to learn that Plath committed suicide shortly after The Bell Jar’s publication. It makes me wonder if she wrote the novel’s ending with a sincere hope that the bell jar would never again descend on her/Esther or if she was simply trying to please her audience with this ending.
julyninth's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jenna_wolf1204's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a hard one for me to rate. On one hand, it's a hauntingly beautiful and raw depiction of mental illness and a psychotic break. Esther's thoughts are so rational and real that it makes you feel as if you're in the bell jar too. You also feel Esther's frustration as she's treated as an "other," some sort circus of side-show to gawk at and avoid. I will say I got the impression of Esther not being the most reliable narrator which adds another layer of nuance -- are those things actually what happened or just her perception of it? I can see why it is considered a feminist novel, as it touches on existing as a woman and juggling societal expectations of becoming a wife and mother while also wanting a life of your own.
HOWEVER. There are a few racist remarks that are unsettling. Some of it could be passed off as being a product of its time, but the caricature of the Black hospital worker was straight-up racist and unnecessary. I don't think we should toss this book in the garbage because of it, but we should view it with more nuance -- it's a well-written, haunting book that encapsulates mental health struggles in an incredibly accurate way that I'm sure truly shocked and scarred people, but it's also racist at parts.
HOWEVER. There are a few racist remarks that are unsettling. Some of it could be passed off as being a product of its time, but the caricature of the Black hospital worker was straight-up racist and unnecessary. I don't think we should toss this book in the garbage because of it, but we should view it with more nuance -- it's a well-written, haunting book that encapsulates mental health struggles in an incredibly accurate way that I'm sure truly shocked and scarred people, but it's also racist at parts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Racism
booksarebetter's review against another edition
1.0
The most astoundingly boring book that tries really hard but essentially lacks character development and has zero desire to have an interesting plot whatsoever.
elisenicole's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
_maude_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0