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tylerluvspsychofiction's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, Grief, and Deportation
thebookhito's review against another edition
4.0
I gave it a three and a half, but I always round to the larger number here.
I will not discuss spoilers here either, but I will say that this book might leave you feeling unsatisfied.
To be fair, the book is really just a short story published in book format. It’s a good story, and one of the earlier ones by Plath from what I’ve read.
Separating her poetry from her fiction is rather difficult because so much of it overlays. She has fantastic writing, but in the sense of this story it seemed like she needed to spend a little more time honing the characters and the setting. Both were described beautifully, but only briefly. It’s like looking through a peephole and seeing a lush garden that stretches to the horizon. You know there is more there, but you can only see so much. That’s how I feel with this book. I loved the ideas and where she was going with it, but I don’t think they were fulfilled.
I would definitely recommend it to someone if only for a small introduction of Plath’s writing style. But I would stress not to judge everything she wrote by this. This is merely an experiment it seems.
I will not discuss spoilers here either, but I will say that this book might leave you feeling unsatisfied.
To be fair, the book is really just a short story published in book format. It’s a good story, and one of the earlier ones by Plath from what I’ve read.
Separating her poetry from her fiction is rather difficult because so much of it overlays. She has fantastic writing, but in the sense of this story it seemed like she needed to spend a little more time honing the characters and the setting. Both were described beautifully, but only briefly. It’s like looking through a peephole and seeing a lush garden that stretches to the horizon. You know there is more there, but you can only see so much. That’s how I feel with this book. I loved the ideas and where she was going with it, but I don’t think they were fulfilled.
I would definitely recommend it to someone if only for a small introduction of Plath’s writing style. But I would stress not to judge everything she wrote by this. This is merely an experiment it seems.
shhhiva's review against another edition
4.0
when reading a short story, sometimes the story and plot feels unfinished, or simply just too short. but this one is very solid. i know its a good one when the author knew exactly what it wanted to delivered & achieved, or simply when the story is over but i feel very satisfied with it.
surreal, eerie, intriguing. this book has implicit meaning & symbolism towards the end, bringing about immediate investment in the character of Mary and the woman. overall, a wonderful short story that keeps me invested.
4.25/5
surreal, eerie, intriguing. this book has implicit meaning & symbolism towards the end, bringing about immediate investment in the character of Mary and the woman. overall, a wonderful short story that keeps me invested.
4.25/5
maryannrogers's review against another edition
4.0
Not sure if I should include this book in my reading challenge as it took like ~15 minutes to read. A compelling story, especially within the context of Plath’s life.
bobkat's review against another edition
5.0
A parable loaded with Plath's signature gutshot stylings. I enjoyed the vagueness and increasing creepiness.
_mary_'s review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
thewhimsicalowl's review against another edition
4.0
I sat in a bookshop for a large chunk of the afternoon and read this and some Sappho and then gushed with the guy at the register over Little Women, and it was all perfect.
rebeccawillison's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked this little story but I do find short stories frustrating. It felt like an outline of the first couple of chapters of a novel, a novel that could be amazing, a Margaret Atwood type novel. In the end it just made me feel sad because Sylvia Plath can never make this into a novel and can never write any more novels I'll love as much as I did the Bell Jar.