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A review by frankahilde
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Even though this is a great book, it was very challenging for me and it took me very long to get through it.
It is beautifully written and in my opinion is an amazing example of the concept „show don’t tell“. We know exactly what is going on with Esther’s psyche just from the way she acts and thinks and also (what I found the most fascinating) through the writing style. The pace changes along with her mental state so the reader feels as confused and dazy as Esther does.
It is really heartbreaking that not soon after the novel was released Sylvia took her own life, it made the entire book feel very emotional for me since you get the feeling that it is almost as if she wanted everyone to know what she was going through before she ended it all.
It is beautifully written and in my opinion is an amazing example of the concept „show don’t tell“. We know exactly what is going on with Esther’s psyche just from the way she acts and thinks and also (what I found the most fascinating) through the writing style. The pace changes along with her mental state so the reader feels as confused and dazy as Esther does.
It is really heartbreaking that not soon after the novel was released Sylvia took her own life, it made the entire book feel very emotional for me since you get the feeling that it is almost as if she wanted everyone to know what she was going through before she ended it all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Sexism
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Homophobia