A review by avocadotoastbee
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

dark reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Bell Jar really hit me in the face. 

[...], and I felt now that all the uncomfortable suspicions I had about myself were coming true, and I couldn't hide the truth much longer. After nineteen years of running after good marks and prizes and grants of one sort and another, I was letting up, slowing down, dropping clean out of the race.

As a burned-out gifted kid, currently in university, trying to find any purpose, I was hooked after reading these lines. I didn't know the story would take such turns, but ended up loving it, mostly because I could relate to the main character, Esther.
I started reading this novel knowing nothing about Sylvia Plath as a person. Later, I found out The Bell Jar is based on her own experiences. This makes sense because the descriptions of depression and suicide are accurate and detailed.
All in all I enjoyed The Bell Jar. However, it is recommended to read the book with caution if you are easily triggered by several explicit descriptions of suicide.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings