Reviews tagging 'Eating disorder'

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

60 reviews

cecilialau_'s review

4.0

There are sort of two parts to this story. Not really what I thought it would be but fascinating nonetheless. I defo recommend checking the content warnings for any triggers as there are quite a lot that is discussed/showcased.
Esther is a deeply real/emotional/hurt/traumatised and interesting character who is more and more obviously going through dread and is disillusioned about life, but I found it very well-done how she herself goes through the motions of her state of mind. There are glimpses here and there but she seems shut off from herself.
A few things happen I would have liked more details about (mainly later on) but they don’t affect the rating/experience. And I also want to add that I admire the way that it is implied rather than spelled out how Esther gets to where she does mentally and emotionally (bc body and mind are connected) and how the change happens gradually and inconspicuously (which is quite realistic).
The book is very well-written apart from some stereotypical language use here and there.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Grief, Alcohol, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Death of parent, Body horror, Death, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Infidelity, Medical content, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

alex_emilia_smith's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Confinement, Medical content, Racial slurs, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Sexism, Self harm, Body shaming, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Medical trauma, Sexual harassment, Mental illness, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Death of parent, Alcohol, Vomit, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny

brainrot_197's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Medical content, Self harm, Forced institutionalization, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness

Moderate: Confinement, Death, Fatphobia, Racism, Alcohol, Eating disorder, Sexism, and Misogyny

tita_loves_literature's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense 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

2.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Death

ludmireads's review

emotional reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Eating disorder, Medical content, Blood, Self harm, and Suicide

Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Alcohol

sergiogt's review

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I really liked the story overall, even if it had me heart-broken throughout. It feels realisticly painful and manages to cover what drove Esther to her situations well. An open ending however felt a bit anticlimactic even if a bit more interesting due to the different interpretations.

The beginning was really confusing for me, not sure where the story was headed to be honest. I appreciate adjectives to better picture what the characters are seeing/living but the comparisons and descriptions felt a tad too overcomplicated in style.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Eating disorder, Death, Medical trauma, Suicide, Mental illness, Vomit, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Self harm, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Blood

seapotatohowisitalrtaken's review against another edition

dark emotional funny inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Eating disorder, Grief, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

Moderate: Racial slurs

dragonflyyzzi's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Mental illness, Eating disorder, Self harm, and Suicide attempt

lessoles's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, and Suicide

Moderate: Rape, Medical trauma, and Forced institutionalization

Minor: Eating disorder

anna_needsanap's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Mental illness, Eating disorder, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and Alcoholism