Reviews with content warning for Ableism - The Bell Jar

This was just a fantastic yet tough read.
The only reason I am not rating this brilliant piece of writing five stars, is because I was taken aback by the use of racial slurs.
I know it dates back to the 60’s but it was very triggering to read as a black woman, and I cannot look past it.
However, I had never read something quite like The Bell Jar and I am still very shaken by it. I think I will either go back to it a lot, or never read it again. That’s how moving and shocking and brilliant it was.

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ambdocksey22's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

3.5

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brassnbooks's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I will fully admit I asked for this book because it's the book Heather Chandler reads in Heathers
That being said it is actually a pretty good book I was afraid I'd find it boring as it's not the usual kind of book I read
Of course the book is old so some subject matters are quite dated in the aslyum and whatnot
But for what it's worth it's pretty good
Personally I have a few iffy feelings on the asylum parts so it's not a full 5 star read but it was really close

fully wasn't expecting Joan to die at all and I was very shocked and a little saddened at that

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hermamora's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad slow-paced

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

4.5

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fatkidatheartreads's review against another edition

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dark emotional

Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

"I felt dull and flat and full of shattered visions."

The way a nervous breakdown is described and how when you are sad and depressed, all you seem to think about is sad and depressing things. It's very scary how much I relate to this character but I digress.
Okay, the bell jar, let's talk about this semi autobiographical piece of literature written by Sylvia Plath a month before she took her own life.

The bell jar follows 19 year old Esther Greenwood who is an intern in a Fashion house in New York City. From the very beginning we can tell that she is troubled. Sylvia begins the book talking about an electrocution & the main character's fascination with it.
Esther struggles with dissociation from reality , heteronormativity especially in terms of relationships with men and marriage and her morbid fascination with death and dying. The first half of the book sets her on a downward spiral which only worsens after she moves back home. She feels stuck after her internship and doesn't know what path she should be taking for her future(that fig metaphor was brilliant).
At home, her struggle with depression, suicide attempts and institutionalization is well documented. As you can tell, this is a very eerie piece of literature.
The title is a reference to her feeling of being stuck in a kind of bell jar (remember the enchanted rose in Beauty and the beast) and being left there to stew in her misery and hopelessness. Sylvia's use of symbolism to explain the character's state of mind was so well done. It's so sad that she only got to write one novel before losing her battle to mental health. She succumbed to her own bell jar. It is clear that she was a brilliant poet and novelist . Her works will continue to live on through her art.

TW: ableism, fatphobia, racism, depression and suicide.

Also, the writing was quite accessible which isn't always the case with classics.

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nefie's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny inspiring lighthearted sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

first time reading: 3.75
second time reading: 4.5

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libraryfairy's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I’ve been meaning to read this book for a while, especially since it seems to be one of those books everyone knows or has read before. However, I didn’t know what to expect going into this, and I was surprised in many ways. Firstly, some thoughts and topics in this book make me feel seen as someone who has dealt with depression all my life. Secondly, the amount of racism in this book is astounding. It’s like it’s second nature for the author to use racial stereotypes and slurs with such ease that it’s sickening Overall, it’s a very good read, but I can’t ignore the blatant racism it has.

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