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challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
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
Complicated, distressing, beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
dark
funny
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
Bell jar was terribly boring and only got to be interesting when Esther enters the asylum. Her character is very flawed and I think that she is kind of a bitch.
On the other hand, the writing style of Sylvia Plath is admirable. Despite the constant shift in plot between Esther's flashbacks and her present, the fluctuation between the two seems seamless and I was able to keep up.
I learned a lot on what could be the life inside an asylum and being with fellow patients with mental problems.
Probably won't recommend to any of my friends.
tw: many suicidal thoughts, depression, abuse, death
On the other hand, the writing style of Sylvia Plath is admirable. Despite the constant shift in plot between Esther's flashbacks and her present, the fluctuation between the two seems seamless and I was able to keep up.
I learned a lot on what could be the life inside an asylum and being with fellow patients with mental problems.
Probably won't recommend to any of my friends.
tw: many suicidal thoughts, depression, abuse, death
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
the writing was beautiful but at some point I stopped rooting for Esther
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, Alcohol
Minor: Racism
dark
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
dark
emotional
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 <333 you have my heart
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism
challenging
dark
sad
tense
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
It is difficult to understand how The Bell Jar is regarded as a classic of feminist literature when the central theme revolves around a woman's downfall, stemming from a lack of access to educational resources and a lack of drive to improve her life, while romanticizing her depression and self-harm. Additionally, the book contains multiple instances of unnecessary racist content.
--REVIEW--
Writing Quality 4-Stars (Very Good): Strong writing, with few or no errors. Well-crafted sentences and good use of literary devices.
Plot 3-Stars (Good/Enjoyable): Coherent plot with a few predictable elements, still engaging. Some minor flaws in pacing or structure.
Characterization 3-Stars (Good/Enjoyable): Decently developed characters with some growth, but a few may still feel generic or lack depth.
Pacing 4-Stars (Very Good): Well-paced with a good balance between action, introspection, and plot progression.
Engagement 3-Stars (Good/Enjoyable): Overall enjoyable with a few sections that might drag, but the book generally holds attention.
Themes & Messages 1-Star (Poor/Problematic): Shallow or poorly handled themes. Could be offensive or problematic, with no real depth.
Originality 4-Stars (Very Good): Unique elements or perspectives that set it apart, though it may still rely on some common tropes or structures.
Overall Feel 3-Stars (Good/Enjoyable): A solid read that may be enjoyable for some readers, but not life-changing or memorable for all.
--REVIEW--
Writing Quality 4-Stars (Very Good): Strong writing, with few or no errors. Well-crafted sentences and good use of literary devices.
Plot 3-Stars (Good/Enjoyable): Coherent plot with a few predictable elements, still engaging. Some minor flaws in pacing or structure.
Characterization 3-Stars (Good/Enjoyable): Decently developed characters with some growth, but a few may still feel generic or lack depth.
Pacing 4-Stars (Very Good): Well-paced with a good balance between action, introspection, and plot progression.
Engagement 3-Stars (Good/Enjoyable): Overall enjoyable with a few sections that might drag, but the book generally holds attention.
Themes & Messages 1-Star (Poor/Problematic): Shallow or poorly handled themes. Could be offensive or problematic, with no real depth.
Originality 4-Stars (Very Good): Unique elements or perspectives that set it apart, though it may still rely on some common tropes or structures.
Overall Feel 3-Stars (Good/Enjoyable): A solid read that may be enjoyable for some readers, but not life-changing or memorable for all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide
Moderate: Racism
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
challenging
dark
fast-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
This was a difficult read. It's disorienting to realise just how unchanging the female experience of mental illness has remained across generations and cultures. While the medical system has thankfully improved, what's heartbreakingly static is a society that still judges and treats female mental illness as a spectacle. plath brilliantly drags you through the three great stages of the deal - denial, despair and finally, the almost comical indifference to your condition. Perhaps the best stream of consciousness work on the descent into depression, which however contains disturbing aspects like racism and homophobia which cannot be dispensed as products of its time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Blood
Moderate: Homophobia, Racial slurs
tense
medium-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
The start is very light, though it gets progressively darker with a somewhat happy ending. I think that she is certainly a representation of Plath in some form, though the ending could be one she wished to have.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Sexual content
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
I won't rate this book so I will leave a couple of pointers instead.
Trigger warning: suicide
As someone that suffers from mental illness, although Esther was not the most likeable character pre-breakdown and was abhorrently racist, I've never seen similar feelings of derealization, loneliness, and fear of suicide while being suicidal like I've read in this book.Reading through her attempts made me weep for my past self going through similar attempts. It feels a bit comforting to not feel alone over this. However, this doesn't excuse the discriminatory thoughts she expressed throughout the book. For this reason, I won't rate this book but I appreciate the representation that I've been yearning for.
Trigger warning: suicide
As someone that suffers from mental illness, although Esther was not the most likeable character pre-breakdown and was abhorrently racist, I've never seen similar feelings of derealization, loneliness, and fear of suicide while being suicidal like I've read in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism