Take a photo of a barcode or cover
tm400 's review for:
The Bell Jar
by Sylvia Plath
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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 book had been in my physical tbr pile for years & i'm glad i finally read it
the bell jar follows esther greenwood throughout a mental health crisis in 1960s america. it is a pseudo-autobiographical memoir-type novel about sylvia plath herself & the events leading up to her eventual !!!!!! TW: su*cide !!!!!!! at age 30. not only does plath write absolutely beautifully, she makes such a relatable main character that it was difficult to read sometimes. as someone who has experience with similar mental health struggles, i had to take short breaks from reading this due to how heavy it made me feel sometimes. the relatability of the book was unnerving, and i'm glad i read this while in a good state of mind.
one thing that surprised me about this book is the casual racism littered throughout that seemingly no one seems to talk about when discussing the book lol. i don't care that it's a "sign of the times" or whatever, i'm not a fan of reading racist content in any capacity. this is the main reason why my rating is 4/5 stars.
i did still enjoy this book, this is definitely a classic for a reason
if you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please seek professional help. free hotlines and services are available in your area - don't be afraid to ask
(my copy also had 244 pages)
the bell jar follows esther greenwood throughout a mental health crisis in 1960s america. it is a pseudo-autobiographical memoir-type novel about sylvia plath herself & the events leading up to her eventual !!!!!! TW: su*cide !!!!!!! at age 30. not only does plath write absolutely beautifully, she makes such a relatable main character that it was difficult to read sometimes. as someone who has experience with similar mental health struggles, i had to take short breaks from reading this due to how heavy it made me feel sometimes. the relatability of the book was unnerving, and i'm glad i read this while in a good state of mind.
one thing that surprised me about this book is the casual racism littered throughout that seemingly no one seems to talk about when discussing the book lol. i don't care that it's a "sign of the times" or whatever, i'm not a fan of reading racist content in any capacity. this is the main reason why my rating is 4/5 stars.
i did still enjoy this book, this is definitely a classic for a reason
if you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please seek professional help. free hotlines and services are available in your area - don't be afraid to ask
(my copy also had 244 pages)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt