Take a photo of a barcode or cover
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I understand why this book is a classic. It is a raw, honest, and unflinching look at depression and how it affects daily life. While it was groundbreaking at the time, there are much better books that dive into similar topics that handle them with better care and don’t have racism sprinkled throughout. I appreciate what this book means for the literary world, and honor Plath’s storytelling, but it is not a strong novel. I think that is okay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Esther is very analytical and reflective
Had to keep reminding myself that it was published in the 60s, set in the 50s, as there were some uncomfortable phrases for a modern audience. Notably the n word is used a few times.
It was interesting and very different from what I usually read. occasionally I'd think I know where a certain scene is headed and then it doesn't. Made me realize how reliant on tropes and modern cultural assumptions I am.
I'd say Esther wasn't necessarily a lovable narrator but she offered a point of view I both related to some moments and then found utterly incomprehensible the next.
Towards the end, I had trouble following what was happening, though that was probably due to the time period.
So obviously this is Sylvia Plath, and it wouldn't be Sylvia Plath without a giant content warning regarding depression, suicide and self-harm.
It describes very well what it feels like to be depressed, with this sense of analytical distance that you get with suicidality. She does spend a good part of the book discussing and considering the different ways she could kill herself.
Definitely not a happy book, nor is it really hopeful for most of it, but that's to be expected from Sylvia Plath. I just prefer a hopeful book.
Had to keep reminding myself that it was published in the 60s, set in the 50s, as there were some uncomfortable phrases for a modern audience. Notably the n word is used a few times.
It was interesting and very different from what I usually read. occasionally I'd think I know where a certain scene is headed and then it doesn't. Made me realize how reliant on tropes and modern cultural assumptions I am.
I'd say Esther wasn't necessarily a lovable narrator but she offered a point of view I both related to some moments and then found utterly incomprehensible the next.
Towards the end, I had trouble following what was happening, though that was probably due to the time period.
So obviously this is Sylvia Plath, and it wouldn't be Sylvia Plath without a giant content warning regarding depression, suicide and self-harm.
It describes very well what it feels like to be depressed, with this sense of analytical distance that you get with suicidality. She does spend a good part of the book discussing and considering the different ways she could kill herself.
Definitely not a happy book, nor is it really hopeful for most of it, but that's to be expected from Sylvia Plath. I just prefer a hopeful book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Esther Greenwood <333 you have my heart
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my favorite book. It is an intense VERY intriguing peace that could never be written in modern times given our near preoccupation with ensuring good mental health
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual harassment
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It is difficult to understand how The Bell Jar is regarded as a classic of feminist literature when the central theme revolves around a woman's downfall, stemming from a lack of access to educational resources and a lack of drive to improve her life, while romanticizing her depression and self-harm. Additionally, the book contains multiple instances of unnecessary racist content.
--REVIEW--
Writing Quality 4-Stars (Very Good): Strong writing, with few or no errors. Well-crafted sentences and good use of literary devices.
Plot 3-Stars (Good/Enjoyable): Coherent plot with a few predictable elements, still engaging. Some minor flaws in pacing or structure.
Characterization 3-Stars (Good/Enjoyable): Decently developed characters with some growth, but a few may still feel generic or lack depth.
Pacing 4-Stars (Very Good): Well-paced with a good balance between action, introspection, and plot progression.
Engagement 3-Stars (Good/Enjoyable): Overall enjoyable with a few sections that might drag, but the book generally holds attention.
Themes & Messages 1-Star (Poor/Problematic): Shallow or poorly handled themes. Could be offensive or problematic, with no real depth.
Originality 4-Stars (Very Good): Unique elements or perspectives that set it apart, though it may still rely on some common tropes or structures.
Overall Feel 3-Stars (Good/Enjoyable): A solid read that may be enjoyable for some readers, but not life-changing or memorable for all.
--REVIEW--
Writing Quality 4-Stars (Very Good): Strong writing, with few or no errors. Well-crafted sentences and good use of literary devices.
Plot 3-Stars (Good/Enjoyable): Coherent plot with a few predictable elements, still engaging. Some minor flaws in pacing or structure.
Characterization 3-Stars (Good/Enjoyable): Decently developed characters with some growth, but a few may still feel generic or lack depth.
Pacing 4-Stars (Very Good): Well-paced with a good balance between action, introspection, and plot progression.
Engagement 3-Stars (Good/Enjoyable): Overall enjoyable with a few sections that might drag, but the book generally holds attention.
Themes & Messages 1-Star (Poor/Problematic): Shallow or poorly handled themes. Could be offensive or problematic, with no real depth.
Originality 4-Stars (Very Good): Unique elements or perspectives that set it apart, though it may still rely on some common tropes or structures.
Overall Feel 3-Stars (Good/Enjoyable): A solid read that may be enjoyable for some readers, but not life-changing or memorable for all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide
Moderate: Racism
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
challenging
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a difficult read. It's disorienting to realise just how unchanging the female experience of mental illness has remained across generations and cultures. While the medical system has thankfully improved, what's heartbreakingly static is a society that still judges and treats female mental illness as a spectacle. plath brilliantly drags you through the three great stages of the deal - denial, despair and finally, the almost comical indifference to your condition. Perhaps the best stream of consciousness work on the descent into depression, which however contains disturbing aspects like racism and homophobia which cannot be dispensed as products of its time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Blood
Moderate: Homophobia, Racial slurs