Take a photo of a barcode or cover
amber_dusk 's review for:
Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath
by Heather Clark
This was a fabulous biography. Clark did an amazing job bringing the reader along on the journey of Plath’s life. At first I was intimidated by the length as I have a lot of reading on my plate right now, but it was well worth the read. In fact, I want to read it again.
I get that Clark did a good job of working to stay (for the most part) neutral to events in Plath’s life and gave a lot of good sources and reasoning for her conclusions.
It was very helpful to learn about seemingly every detail possible about her life and how that transformed her and her poetry. I also believe Clark did a great job in analyzing and discussing Plath’s poetry in specific terms. Although I am very interested in Plath and her poetry, I will readily admit that poetry is my weakest area in reading. So it was encouraging to have such a well-read guide.
Through my reading of this I have purchased some of Plath’s poetry and short stories. I had previously read “The Bell Jar” and loved it. So to be encouraged to read her poetry work, and main focus, is a wonderful feeling.
With regards to Plath’s life and illness—suicide can be a very difficult topic to discuss and I found Clark’s views on Plath’s illness to be respectful and well researched. I think for those who have never contemplated suicide before, it can be very difficult to understand how someone can reach that point, and Clark makes that bridge easier to see over. From the onset of the book she talks about Plath’s suicide and doesn’t use it as a shock value or something to sweep under the rug.
This is definitely a book I will recommend to anyone interested in Plath and her work.
I get that Clark did a good job of working to stay (for the most part) neutral to events in Plath’s life and gave a lot of good sources and reasoning for her conclusions.
It was very helpful to learn about seemingly every detail possible about her life and how that transformed her and her poetry. I also believe Clark did a great job in analyzing and discussing Plath’s poetry in specific terms. Although I am very interested in Plath and her poetry, I will readily admit that poetry is my weakest area in reading. So it was encouraging to have such a well-read guide.
Through my reading of this I have purchased some of Plath’s poetry and short stories. I had previously read “The Bell Jar” and loved it. So to be encouraged to read her poetry work, and main focus, is a wonderful feeling.
With regards to Plath’s life and illness—suicide can be a very difficult topic to discuss and I found Clark’s views on Plath’s illness to be respectful and well researched. I think for those who have never contemplated suicide before, it can be very difficult to understand how someone can reach that point, and Clark makes that bridge easier to see over. From the onset of the book she talks about Plath’s suicide and doesn’t use it as a shock value or something to sweep under the rug.
This is definitely a book I will recommend to anyone interested in Plath and her work.