Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

1179 reviews

aru_nika's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional reflective slow-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt

Moderate: Racial slurs

Minor: Rape, Blood, Sexual harassment

kairi2's review against another edition

3.25

challenging emotional reflective tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt

Moderate: Chronic illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail

headlesswork's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional funny reflective tense slow-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Suicide attempt

Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism

helena1206's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional reflective 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: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide

Minor: Racial slurs, Sexual content, Xenophobia

questingnotcoasting's review against another edition

3.0

challenging 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

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I first read this 10 years ago but remembered almost nothing about it. I read it again for book club and while I wouldn't have re-read it otherwise, it was definitely an interesting experience. The stream of consciousness writing style isn't one I tend to enjoy but I got into it after a few chapters and I can see why people love it. It was interesting, if unsettling to read about the treatment of mental health patients in the 1950s and while it's a obviously a depressing story, it also had quite a few comic moments which I wasn't expecting. It will never be a favourite of mine but at least now it's not one of those books which I know I've read but can't remember anything about. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt

Moderate: Fatphobia, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism

megxn07's review against another edition

5.0

dark inspiring sad fast-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

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Content Warnings

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

yashee's review against another edition

1.75

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i was incredibly disappointed to read this, did not feel it lived up to its regard as a modern classic

i was unengaged a lot as esther’s character was insufferable to follow. her admittance into a psych ward was where the novel briefly peaked 

more notably, i’m surprised that most reviews have failed to mention the random racism sylvia plath felt the need to include. it didn’t add anything to the storytelling and was completely out of the blue and abrupt 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Suicide, Suicide attempt

sparroues's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Wow this book. First of all, look up the trigger warnings for it. 

A deep and intimate look into psychosis, depression, suicide, purity, virginity, and identity. 
Beautifully crafted and one of the most evocative and visceral reads I've experienced in a while. 

However, it's a 4 star rather than a 5 because of the blatant, unapologetic and pointless racism. 
I understand the argument of it being a product of its time, but it made me incredibly uncomfortable and affected my enjoyment and that is, after all, what I'm rating.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Death, Suicide

ana_carolina's review against another edition

4.0

dark reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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It was very interesting to discus this book in a bookclub setting. The illustrations in this edition were also a great contribution to the story. the story itself was not an enjoyable reading experience, but I did enjoy the poetic word choices. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt

in_not_en's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt