Reviews tagging 'Eating disorder'

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

65 reviews

karol99's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny reflective tense 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? Yes

4.75

I am really glad I finally read this book! I enjoyed that way it was written, there have been multiple sections of the book that I have underlined because the way Plath worded things was so eloquently done. I really enjoyed the way she tackled different forms of mysogyny as well as mental health all while the reader has to keep in mind that this book as well as the character is from the 60's - which is also clearly evident in the cultural/societal response to women and mental health at the time.

I specifically had a moment of reflection where I had to jot down my thoughts on mirrors and it's role in the story (Plath, p. 168): 

[Esther asked to see a mirror, and the nurse ignored her]
'Why can't I?'
'Because you better not.' The nurse shut the lid of the overnight case with a little snap. 
'Why?' 
'Because you don't look very pretty.' 

I also had a discussion with my mum about it. All the different factors and layers that were held in such a short line:  'Because you don't look very pretty.'  

I will leave at 4.75, and see how the book will further impact me - and if it does, now that I have finished it.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical trauma, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, and Classism

ellainalisa's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide

Moderate: Eating disorder, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Dysphoria

Minor: Sexual content and Blood

rhea_elsa's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful sad fast-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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Medical trauma, and Suicide attempt

emwinters's review against another edition

dark emotional funny 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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

sonmel2910's review against another edition

dark hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, and Suicide attempt

stormykat's review against another edition

dark tense

3.5

This book is the reason behind my anxiety and fear surrounding aging, childbirth, being a woman, etc.

Sooooooo well-written, but I wouldn't recommend to anyone who isn't in a pristine headspace. Be mindful of content warnings before picking this one up, that advice is from experience.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, and Suicide attempt

halcyonkathryn's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Drug abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Xenophobia, Vomit, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia

Minor: Eating disorder, Cultural appropriation, and Classism

josxphinchen's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Gore, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

z0333's review against another edition

dark reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

a little racist but amazing quotes 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, and Suicide attempt

orndal's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective fast-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

4.5

so esther's a certified lesbian and also a femcel

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Death, Eating disorder, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Medical trauma, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism