A review by ineffectual_intellectual
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

dark hopeful tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The bell jar is a fascinating look into mental illness from a nauseatingly close first-person perspective. The main character Esther's delusions are made all the more disturbing because of the author's true story. Sylvia Plath writes with excellent prose, particularly in her vivid descriptions of fleeting emotions. Miraculously, she manages to avoid sounding pretentious. The end comes with a surprising twist that you can relish in.