Reviews with content warning for Self harm - The Bell Jar

Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

1172 reviews

abitofapoet's review against another edition

dark sad

good writing style, really great imagery but many racist remarks and just so many detailed descriptions of self harm and suicide. very triggering.

Content Warnings

moniquita_frita98's review against another edition

3.5

dark emotional reflective sad 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

Content Warnings

alec_i's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional reflective relaxing sad

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Like eating too many sweets - sick and comforting. Esther’s authenticity shone through her narration and I feel like I no longer need to read her to know what she’ll say. It’s almost difficult for me to place the novel in 1953 because of how modern it feels. Plath illustrates complex feelings wonderfully with accessible and powerful imagery. For me, no mountains were moved by the narrative but I appreciate Plath’s imagination and perspective. Esther’s flaws are largely relatable and attractive, but her racism weakens the novel. Another note, the audio format and narration by Maggie Gyllenhaal really strengthened my connection to Esther. The audiobook version is a very successful port.

Content Warnings

_soapie_'s review against another edition

3.25

dark funny medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

proudtobeabookaholic's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional hopeful informative 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 is 19 when she wins a writing competition in 1953, and she gets to work at a fashion magazine in New York for a month. She sees it as her chance to fulfill her dream of being a writer. But Esther's life is soon spiralling out of control.

The Bell Jar was Sylvia Plath's only novel, and it was first published in 1963 under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas. One month after the publication Plath ended her life. The book is semi-autobiographical, as it is partially based on her own life. Despite dealing with depression and suicide attempts I don't find the novel altogether dark. It's quite interesting, and brilliantly narrated by Maggie Gyllenhaal. I started and finished the book on the same day!

Content Warnings

sashabaker177's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book lulls you into a false sense of security. Esther initially seems sardonic, judgemental and disconnected as she spends the summer in New York, but her thoughts become increasingly dark and her narration appears ever less reliable. The final act is a terrifying and viscerally detailed portrayal of mid-century mental healthcare. Knowing the author's fate the ending feels ominous rather than hopeful. My only criticism of the book would be that at times the character expresses racist and homophobic sentiments, which later on in the book feel integrated with her break with reality, but earlier on at times feel like the author's prejudices seeping through. To be expected with a book this old, but nonetheless a little jarring.

Content Warnings

marika_bookshelf's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

haileyeh's review against another edition

3.75

dark emotional reflective sad 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

Content Warnings

nicoleanthony's review against another edition

3.0

dark sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

jdrosario_'s review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

amazing book, spectacularly crafted. absolutely love sylvia plath, totally tragic though. i was also expecting

her to kill herself at the end but she didn’t?!?!?

that was surprising. it actually felt a little bit unofficial that she didn’t but no complaints. i felt so connected to esther throughout it, you really see and feel what she’s feeling. highly recommend :))

Content Warnings

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