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dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Good for its time period and I understand why it/she is a classic. Although I loved the style of writing, and it was a short book, I felt it was a bit slow for me. Took a while to really pick up. Compared to more modern day works on feminism and mental health stories it just didn’t strike me like I hoped. The included racism wasn’t offensive to me because I knew it was of the time period.
Slow, but would recommend to seasoned readers.
Slow, but would recommend to seasoned readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism
I have too many thoughts about this book. In terms of a simple book review, the book is incredibly well written and what I would describe as "enjoyable to get through" had the topic not been so heartbreaking. I enjoyed the stream-of-consciousness style of writing, and it reminded me heavily of the kind of writing one would get from Sally Rooney. I mean this as a compliment to both Plath and Rooney, of course.
I write this review to caution the reader, however. It is extremely graphic and even though I used to think content warnings unnecessary when reading books, and maybe I should have expected it, I was a bit caught off guard by the descriptions of suicide.
I think maybe I shouldn't have read this book. Even though I know it will have a profound effect on me and I will think of it long after I have finished it, I think maybe it was a bit too much. Considering it is, in many ways, an autobiographical description of Plath's life, the content of the story and the events that proceeded in Plath's life broke my heart. Personally, as well, I will be going to college at a school extremely similar to the one both Esther Greenwood and Sylvia Plath went to. In fact, Sylvia graduated from high school in the town I will be attending college. It humanized the book in a way I did not think possible, as it had already been extremely personal.
I would recommend others read this book, but only after understanding the content and not considering it a lighter read.
4.5/5 stars
I write this review to caution the reader, however. It is extremely graphic and even though I used to think content warnings unnecessary when reading books, and maybe I should have expected it, I was a bit caught off guard by the descriptions of suicide.
I think maybe I shouldn't have read this book. Even though I know it will have a profound effect on me and I will think of it long after I have finished it, I think maybe it was a bit too much. Considering it is, in many ways, an autobiographical description of Plath's life, the content of the story and the events that proceeded in Plath's life broke my heart. Personally, as well, I will be going to college at a school extremely similar to the one both Esther Greenwood and Sylvia Plath went to. In fact, Sylvia graduated from high school in the town I will be attending college. It humanized the book in a way I did not think possible, as it had already been extremely personal.
I would recommend others read this book, but only after understanding the content and not considering it a lighter read.
4.5/5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
dark
emotional
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
Not my favorite book honestly, but i really loved the similarities with sylvia’s life. I think it took me too long to realize the point of the book, it wasn’t until the clothes flying bit that i realized she was slowly losing her mind , but once i got it it became a beautifully well written description of a very fundamental human experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexual assault
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
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
Hesitant 4… didn’t enjoy it as much as I did as a teenager but that’s life!! makes u fig
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Homophobia
dark
emotional
reflective
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
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Minor: Racism
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
Moderate: Racism
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
"If I had to wait on a baby all day, I would go mad."
I really like how Plath writes about depression. I really resonated with Esther's struggle with depression and suicidial ideation. It was nice to see in words how I feel and the similar struggles I face regarding these issues since often times, it is hard to describe what I'm going through. I won't deny Plath's racism and lesbophobia was offputting, but I like to consider the impact this book has to be a discourse on depression.
Also I was surprised to discover Plath is unexpectedly funny. One of my favorite scenes is where Buddy takes off his pants and Esther is completely unimpressed with him.
I really like how Plath writes about depression. I really resonated with Esther's struggle with depression and suicidial ideation. It was nice to see in words how I feel and the similar struggles I face regarding these issues since often times, it is hard to describe what I'm going through. I won't deny Plath's racism and lesbophobia was offputting, but I like to consider the impact this book has to be a discourse on depression.
Also I was surprised to discover Plath is unexpectedly funny. One of my favorite scenes is where Buddy takes off his pants and Esther is completely unimpressed with him.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Blood, Medical content, Pregnancy
Minor: Death, Terminal illness, Lesbophobia
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One oh those that’s only just fine at the beginning, but can’t stop reading towards the end of the story.
Content Warnings
Minor: Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Sexual harassment
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-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
I got this book a long time ago from my cousin who had read it. When she gave it to me, she was a bit hesitant because of the books language and everything that happens in it. I get that it might not be the best book for a 14/15 year old. But I think it depends on the person. I’m 21 one now and read it and it was fine. There were times when it had to pause and think, because I would see other people in the book. I read it at the same time I had a psychology class so it was interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail