Reviews with content warning for Self harm - The Bell Jar

Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

1172 reviews

starryfruits's review against another edition

4.0

dark sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Oh dear.

Content Warnings

nparosg24's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional funny tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

cecereads__'s review against another edition

4.0

There are sort of two parts to this story. Not really what I thought it would be but fascinating nonetheless. I defo recommend checking the content warnings for any triggers as there are quite a lot that is discussed/showcased.
Esther is a deeply real/emotional/hurt/traumatised and interesting character who is more and more obviously going through dread and is disillusioned about life, but I found it very well-done how she herself goes through the motions of her state of mind. There are glimpses here and there but she seems shut off from herself.
A few things happen I would have liked more details about (mainly later on) but they don’t affect the rating/experience. And I also want to add that I admire the way that it is implied rather than spelled out how Esther gets to where she does mentally and emotionally (bc body and mind are connected) and how the change happens gradually and inconspicuously (which is quite realistic).
The book is very well-written apart from some stereotypical language use here and there.

Content Warnings

samugranjo's review against another edition

4.25

dark emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

When I was younger I had a very hard time with depression, now almost 10 years later I still have intense depressive episodes with terrifying thoughts but it's much more manageable. This book has probably the best depiction of depression, suicidal thoughts and burnout that I have ever read. I have never felt so understood, and at the same time so glad about how many things that I would have related to in the past are no longer part of my everyday experience. On top of this, the fig analysis has been a guide and a help through the last years of my life, making me remind myself that not taking action in making decisions is also a choice itself with its own consequences.

Content Warnings

aisid's review against another edition

4.0

dark reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

terry_reads's review against another edition

5.0

dark sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

ameliafr's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional medium-paced

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Very beautifully written, but also very racist.

I think the best parts of this book were the depictions of what it’s like to struggle with deciding what you want to do with your future and the discussions of heterosexual dating norms.

Definitely take the trigger warnings seriously, since the content depicted is quite graphic.

I would recommend sections of this book, but I think the decision about reading the novel as a whole wrt triggering content related to mental health and the racism throughout depends on the individual reader.

Content Warnings