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A review by jordan_noel
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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 loved this book. Yet I'm not sure I have the capacity to state my love of it without insulting the book.
Esther is self-aware and knows when her mental state is declining. She notices her moods and interests slipping and a strange, hazy, dark cloud descending over her life. She tells us wittily of the sane people who seem to mock her and rub their vital mentalities in her face as she knows just how messed up she has become.
In this autobiographical sense, you get a lot into Sylvia Plath's own life and the struggles she faced, even as creating such magnificent, long-lasting literary works. She describes the feelings of depression, suicidality, never feeling enough, never doing enough, and never being enough in the most beautiful, horrifically accurate detail. She's fought her whole life to be the best, winning awards and a full scholarship to an honorable university. And yet, she still can't feel like anything.
When her work doesn't seem to be enough, she begins to descend, not sure where her worth lies, what she could be, or even who she is now. Wanting to do everything and no longer sure of her capabilities for anything, this book is a scary, detailed fight for the ability to do what you used to, even though it's what made you miserable in the first place.
This is a beautiful book, though, this will be a tough journey for people who struggle with issues similar to Esther's.
Esther is self-aware and knows when her mental state is declining. She notices her moods and interests slipping and a strange, hazy, dark cloud descending over her life. She tells us wittily of the sane people who seem to mock her and rub their vital mentalities in her face as she knows just how messed up she has become.
In this autobiographical sense, you get a lot into Sylvia Plath's own life and the struggles she faced, even as creating such magnificent, long-lasting literary works. She describes the feelings of depression, suicidality, never feeling enough, never doing enough, and never being enough in the most beautiful, horrifically accurate detail. She's fought her whole life to be the best, winning awards and a full scholarship to an honorable university. And yet, she still can't feel like anything.
When her work doesn't seem to be enough, she begins to descend, not sure where her worth lies, what she could be, or even who she is now. Wanting to do everything and no longer sure of her capabilities for anything, this book is a scary, detailed fight for the ability to do what you used to, even though it's what made you miserable in the first place.
This is a beautiful book, though, this will be a tough journey for people who struggle with issues similar to Esther's.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Misogyny
Minor: Alcoholism
This book does detail experiences in depression and a declining mental state.
Additionally, the main character is institutionalized several times and experiences shock treatments against her will.< / spoiler>