Reviews with content warning for Suicide - The Bell Jar

Reviews tagging 'Suicide'

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

2208 reviews

ialoneblue's review against another edition

3.25

There were aspects of this book that highlighted expectation for women (from society and by result from women too) really well and how women are treated if those expectations are challenged or aren't adhere to or are in some cases. The same goes for mental illness and treatment for women. I won't say that this book goes in depth by any means but from the surface you get a decent idea.

I don't dislike the main character. I found certain things relatable. Although I couldn't fully connect to her I do understand that comes from what she was experiencing and that it's not something I could fully grasp given my own experiences. I can see why this is where the book fell flat from some people.

There were some unexpected racism that was unnecessary as it didn't do anything for the story and so had no reason to be there a all.

Overall, the writing was well done and beautiful at times. Subject really important and necessary. But I personally don't think it's revolutionary. For me, It is was blunt look at woman's experiences, thoughts, expectations that shaped her and the ones that tried to and importantly the lack of help or support for the most part that she needed.

Content Warnings

m_e_s_s's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional 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

jtefi89's review against another edition

4.5

emotional reflective tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

Content Warnings

squishythedino's review against another edition

5.0

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Reading this book was like staring at myself in the mirror. Between

wondering if I should choose a career, have a family, travel Europe, have a love affair with a foreign man, etc etc and wanting to die

I felt seen.

Content Warnings

nelle_mrl's review against another edition

4.0

dark reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I am, I am, I am.

The Bell Jar follows Esther Greenwood, a 19-year-old young woman struggling with her mental health. After excelling academically and winning a scholarship, she faces a sense of emptiness upon returning home. With her future suddenly uncertain, she spirals into depression, eventually finding herself in a psychiatric hospital.

The one thing I was good at was winning scholarships, prizes, and that era was coming to an end. I felt like a racehorse in a world without race-tracks.

The image of the fig tree gives off a feeling of indecision. It describes the trouble of adolescence effectively.

Among other things, the novel’s pace is impeccable, mirroring Esther’s descent with a taste of inevitability. Sylvia Plath captures the reality of being a woman, where existence often feels dependent on being desirable in a man's eyes. The metaphor of the bell jar is particularly fitting: Esther suffocates, trapped in an airless space.

I also felt deeply for Joan, a woman drawn to other women yet unable to find a place for herself in such a rigid world. As a logical conclusion, she meets her end after witnessing the patriarchal wound inflicted on Esther. Her love for women means that she cannot exist in this world.
The only stable element in Esther's life seems to be Doctor Nolan, a motherly figure which Esther desperately craves.