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A review by whatbidoureads
The Bell Jar: The Illustrated Edition by Sylvia Plath
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book had been on my tbr for so long and I’m so glad I finally got around to reading it!
Overall, it’s a very interesting book, very self-reflective and empowering (her will for independence is at times very inspiring), but I do think it will be a one-time read for me because some parts were just too hard to read through. The first half was very interesting for me, Esther is such a multi-faceted character who I found super odd at times, but super relatable at others. Side note, I loved Sylvia Plath’s description of food haha.
But in the second half it got slower and a lot darker which made me step away from the book for a while because some aspects were too touching.
Nevertheless, I feel the ending wrapped this whole book together, and made me appreciate the story and the MC. I feel like everything was wrapped well, and we get a clear ending on everything.
I guess what I’m trying to say is although Sylvia Plath is an author I observe from afar because she triggers me, I appreciate her work so much, especially this as it is her only novel and it is considered to be semi-autobiographical.
Overall, it’s a very interesting book, very self-reflective and empowering (her will for independence is at times very inspiring), but I do think it will be a one-time read for me because some parts were just too hard to read through. The first half was very interesting for me, Esther is such a multi-faceted character who I found super odd at times, but super relatable at others. Side note, I loved Sylvia Plath’s description of food haha.
But in the second half it got slower and a lot darker which made me step away from the book for a while because some aspects were too touching.
Nevertheless, I feel the ending wrapped this whole book together, and made me appreciate the story and the MC. I feel like everything was wrapped well, and we get a clear ending on everything.
I guess what I’m trying to say is although Sylvia Plath is an author I observe from afar because she triggers me, I appreciate her work so much, especially this as it is her only novel and it is considered to be semi-autobiographical.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, and Suicide attempt