A review by coralinejones
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

dark emotional reflective sad fast-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

2.5

Prose was nice, the storytelling, not to much. Plath had great ideas, and the descriptions relating to mental health, especially in the last chapter, were very relatable and melancholic. To a degree, I understand why all of the "Sad Girls-Obsessed With Fiona Apple-Wishes They Were Lana Del Rey-Is Totally A Lisbon Sister." white girls would be all over this. However, the racism overshadows the entirety of this narrative that it's very, very hard to separate the two. I'm even side-eyeing everyone who REALLY love this book. I mean, "stans" of this book even. Making your entire personality The Bell Jar.... Interesting. 

I got through this book with critical thinking, hoping that by the end there would be a silver lining where, even though my expectations were not met, not even slightly, I would leave this book feeling better than I did during the middle chapters. But nope. Just happy it's done and over with.
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