Scan barcode
_rowan_is_dead_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Rape
avrilamber's review
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
I feel this book is going to become very important to me over my life. I felt like this book swallowed me up as well as gave me a warm hug.
I found Sylvia’s musings as Esther about life, death, womanhood, mental health incredibly relatable, which is surprising considering that this was published 60 years ago. It’s equally harrowing and comforting.
I saw so much of myself in the protagonist, Esther, her perfectionist ways, her criticisms of women’s role and expectations, how much her self worth derives from her achievements, and spiralling when things out of her control don’t go to plan. This book really hit home to me and it’s all the more poignant knowing the mental health problems Sylvia suffered in real life.
It’s a challenging read, but one I’m very glad I connected with. I will remember that fig tree analogy for the rest of my life.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
Moderate: Blood, Medical content, and Rape
Minor: Racial slurs
litliz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Pregnancy, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Death, Dysphoria, Body horror, Blood, Body shaming, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Medical trauma, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, and Mental illness
Minor: Racism, Sexual violence, Bullying, Sexual assault, Sexism, Pregnancy, Gun violence, Medical content, Incest, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Religious bigotry, Rape, Racial slurs, Misogyny, Death of parent, and Sexual content
lillianreads's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
I loved the metaphors of the fig tree and the bell jar and the overall writing style felt very accessible.
If you want to get into reading classics The Bell Jar definitely is a good place to start.
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Medical trauma, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Rape, Vomit, and Suicide
Minor: Racial slurs
wrennova123's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I particularly loved the fig analogy and the symbol of the bell jar to represent the experience of mental illness.
Graphic: Blood, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
petty_anthropology's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Misogyny, Sexism, and Rape
sjhonarvar's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Rape, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, and Self harm
chelseeaa's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Racism, Sexual assault, Sexism, Rape, Mental illness, Death, and Vomit
sharosuza's review
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Sexual violence, Racial slurs, Blood, Sexual assault, Self harm, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Rape, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Eating disorder
zzaakkiiyyaa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Racial slurs, Suicide attempt, Racism, Suicide, and Rape