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Had heard lots of good things about book and it was very well written however had lots of racism
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
dark
sad
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:
Complicated
At first, it felt pretty chill, but it became really dark very fast. It was an amazing depiction of what goes on in the mind of someone who is depressed. That one line from the book will always stick with me when Esther said; "To the person in the bell jar, blank and stopped as a dead baby, the world itself is the bad dream. A bad dream. I remembered everything....Maybe forgetfulness, like a kind of snow, should numb and cover them. But they were part of me. They were my landscape." At first, I wasn't sure of what to make of this book, I was left rather confused as if I wanted more from this, it felt incomplete and abrupt in ending. It still deserves 4 stars, as it spoke volumes about shock therapy and treatment of patients in public and private hospitals and of course what Sylvia Plath had gone through from the eyes of Esther.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicide
As it is a book that is partially based of Plath's real life, it makes reading it all the more tragic. Especially as not long after this book was published, Plath herself lost her battle with depression and took her own life. So before I get into this review, knowing the above, and that this book does cover dark imagery. Please check all trigger warnings (not just the ones I have mentioned, as I put the stuff down that would have been triggering for me when I was younger but I sometimes can't pick up on things that could be triggering for others).
Esther (I don't want to call her our protagonist, but we do follow her story) does not just represent Plath but anyone who has dealt with or is dealing with depression. At the beginning of the story you witness the early signs of her depression and the symptoms that normally get tested for nowadays. And as the story continues you begin to see how her depression grows and her process of dealing with it.
This novel is filled with analogies and metaphors that depict the inner mind of someone dealing with depression.
Through the The Bell Jar which symbolises the idea of being trapped in ones own mind while the rest of the world moves on. One is being suffocated in their air, their own demons, and slowly becomes detached to the world. And each time they try to leave the bell jar, they are reminded that they are no longer part that world. They exist in this one spot, to never grow and escape. Whereas the world continues to live without them. To The Fig Tree which symbolises the overwhelment of making a decision. Too scared to choose the wrong thing and loose the correct option. Being so paralysed in your thoughts that you loose all.
The novel also shows how bad the mental health care system was back then.
Through the doctor not listening to Esther's plea to not go through shock therapy again. And then placing her in a program where she got it 2-3 times a week.
Alongside seeing the every day battle that unfortunately women still deal with today. With the idea of being inadequate as a female. And the constant battle with social norms. With Esther having to work extra hard to be taken seriously within the arts. And the questioning looks and disbelief when she provides her input on marriage and children. Along with the lack of safety around certain male characters. And as a reader, when you relate to these things in one form or another. When you read this and are transported to your own events. It makes the book harder to swallow, as you see Esther dissociate herself from the world more and more after each event. And that feeling becomes more and more familiar. So although I think this book is a good book for anyone to read, I think for a women it is really important.
I also want to note that this novel was written in the 50s. And unfortunately we do see some of the problematic prejudice in this novel. And as a person who is part of more than one minority that was disgussed in a negative manner, I want to state that the time period does not excuse it. Unfortunately a lot of classics (not all thankfully) do have these viewpoints. And this needs to be pointed out to people prior if they are going to pick the book up. And it is okay to call out these topics as it is not okay at any time.
And in terms of the depiction of mental health (which is why I love this novel) I know there will be a lot of people who read this book and recognise their own battle they have had in the past. So I want to say I am proud of you for still being here. And for those who are seeing their current battle, I am proud of you for getting up this morning. And I want you to know that you have people who care about you.
This novel does have vivid imagery so if it gets too much, know that it is okay to DNF. And please put your mental health first!
Esther (I don't want to call her our protagonist, but we do follow her story) does not just represent Plath but anyone who has dealt with or is dealing with depression. At the beginning of the story you witness the early signs of her depression and the symptoms that normally get tested for nowadays. And as the story continues you begin to see how her depression grows and her process of dealing with it.
This novel is filled with analogies and metaphors that depict the inner mind of someone dealing with depression.
Through the The Bell Jar which symbolises the idea of being trapped in ones own mind while the rest of the world moves on. One is being suffocated in their air, their own demons, and slowly becomes detached to the world. And each time they try to leave the bell jar, they are reminded that they are no longer part that world. They exist in this one spot, to never grow and escape. Whereas the world continues to live without them. To The Fig Tree which symbolises the overwhelment of making a decision. Too scared to choose the wrong thing and loose the correct option. Being so paralysed in your thoughts that you loose all.
The novel also shows how bad the mental health care system was back then.
Through the doctor not listening to Esther's plea to not go through shock therapy again. And then placing her in a program where she got it 2-3 times a week.
Alongside seeing the every day battle that unfortunately women still deal with today. With the idea of being inadequate as a female. And the constant battle with social norms. With Esther having to work extra hard to be taken seriously within the arts. And the questioning looks and disbelief when she provides her input on marriage and children. Along with the lack of safety around certain male characters. And as a reader, when you relate to these things in one form or another. When you read this and are transported to your own events. It makes the book harder to swallow, as you see Esther dissociate herself from the world more and more after each event. And that feeling becomes more and more familiar. So although I think this book is a good book for anyone to read, I think for a women it is really important.
I also want to note that this novel was written in the 50s. And unfortunately we do see some of the problematic prejudice in this novel. And as a person who is part of more than one minority that was disgussed in a negative manner, I want to state that the time period does not excuse it. Unfortunately a lot of classics (not all thankfully) do have these viewpoints. And this needs to be pointed out to people prior if they are going to pick the book up. And it is okay to call out these topics as it is not okay at any time.
And in terms of the depiction of mental health (which is why I love this novel) I know there will be a lot of people who read this book and recognise their own battle they have had in the past. So I want to say I am proud of you for still being here. And for those who are seeing their current battle, I am proud of you for getting up this morning. And I want you to know that you have people who care about you.
This novel does have vivid imagery so if it gets too much, know that it is okay to DNF. And please put your mental health first!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt
Minor: Racial slurs
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide attempt
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Medical content, Dementia, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Alcohol
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-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
CN rassistische Sprache, N-Wort
Ich fands wirklich schwer mit Esther zu sympathisieren. Und ich versteh wirklich nicht, warum sie so schlecht von jedem anderen Menschen denkt, erst Recht von Nicht-US-Amerikaner*innen.
Und ich verstehe nicht, wie man bei Neuausgaben das N-Wort noch weiterhin übernimmt.
Es war kurzweilig, aber am Ende unbefriedigend.
Ich fands wirklich schwer mit Esther zu sympathisieren. Und ich versteh wirklich nicht, warum sie so schlecht von jedem anderen Menschen denkt, erst Recht von Nicht-US-Amerikaner*innen.
Und ich verstehe nicht, wie man bei Neuausgaben das N-Wort noch weiterhin übernimmt.
Es war kurzweilig, aber am Ende unbefriedigend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt
Minor: Mental illness, Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book left me thinking about it after. There were many times when I did not like the partly biographical character, specifically because of the racist aspects of writing at points. Which despite the time period of writing has to be acknowledged because before reading, no one mentioned it.
And because of the scathing descriptions of friends, family and herself however I think this gives a very real portrait of the experience of depression for a woman like Plath in the 1960’s.
I admire it’s candidacy and awareness of its unlikeableness and believe this book is essential for understanding the world through a lense of what depression can be like.
And because of the scathing descriptions of friends, family and herself however I think this gives a very real portrait of the experience of depression for a woman like Plath in the 1960’s.
I admire it’s candidacy and awareness of its unlikeableness and believe this book is essential for understanding the world through a lense of what depression can be like.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Lesbophobia
challenging
dark
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
This is was really well written. I love Plath’s extensive use of simile and metaphor. The extended comparisons (namely the bell jar and the fig tree) really enhanced the novel. The story was difficult and sad but insightful and at times hopeful. This was a tough read emotionally but worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism