Reviews

Mary Ventura Y El Noveno Reino / Mary Ventura and the Ninth Kingdom by Sylvia Plath

genevievesbooknook's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.75

I like this short story collection from Faber, as it gives me a little taster to see if I would like the authors writing style and work. Sylvia Plath is someone most well-known for The Bell Jar, a book I am terrified to read for personal reasons, but if it wasn't for this series, I may have never picked up anything by her at all. 

The plot was quite ambiguous, but I liked that aspect, as it added to the mystery of it all. This version is the original story which they edited, and I find that sad as this is quite good. It's made me less afraid to seek out her other work, something I'll be doing once I get through my massive TBR pile. 

hannahfanakapan's review against another edition

4.0

Short but disturbing. Gave me Holocaust transport vibes. Kind of like a dream- in fact, it may well have been based on a dream, I can't remember. This is part of a set of short stories by different authors which looks fantastic, but it's £27 or something like that for 27 stories, and for some reason this seems like a lot, even though I would enjoy the diversity of them. Odd what we feel is 'value' in terms of reading; all the discounts and 99p Kindle offers can somehow devalue writing and make us resent paying for it, a bit like fast fashion.

beckyfitzsich's review against another edition

4.0

One of Sylvia Plath’s first works ... An allegory of life, death, and afterlife.

hunterlikesturtles's review against another edition

5.0

This was my first time reading a work by Sylvia Plath and it was an excellent introduction. I know a little about Plath’s life and I think that context is very important for this short story. This is a story about choosing not to take the train to the end of the line, and taking your fate into your own hands which was a very personal message for Plath. I would highly suggest reading this (it’s a quick read) but do a little research on Plath’s life first! I’m excited to read more of her works!

riddlemethistom's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Reading this gave me goosebumps!! It evoked emotionality in me as well.
A short story describing the path chosen for you and the realization to escape it before it’s too late.

“There are no return trips on this line. Once you get to the ninth kingdom, there is no going back. It is the kingdom of negation, of the frozen will. It has many names.”

bastiat's review against another edition

reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No

3.25

summer135's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.75

i absolutely loved this story in all its intensity and strong symbolism. i feel that everyone will have their own take on it but to me, it represented breaking out from of generational expectations and not letting family or anyone decide your future for you. it was representative of that step that you take to take control of your own life and how you will be rewarded for honoring your purpose. i love the woman with the baby. she is the most interesting character in my opinion, and i love speculating about who she might be. this was a powerful story for me and i feel that i read it at the perfect time in my life. sylvia plath has once again resonated with me in a way no other author ever can. the only reason this isn’t 5 stars is because i couldn’t connect to the characters emotionally due to how short it was. 

willlawler's review against another edition

3.0

3.5

ashdolenz's review against another edition

4.0

So different from much of Plath's work but refreshing because of that fact. I am bias though, I am a huge fan. :)

jsemkarasnye's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

4.0