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A review by alexiasophii
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
4.75
“I am. I am. I am.”
This book is an intense and scary ride. Not scary because you're afraid of something in the book but scary in how relatable it can be. I've suffered from depression and anxiety (and still have slight anxiety) and there were times, during the book, that it was like looking through a window to a past self. I know the book is inspired in the author's life and that is clear as water since she speaks of the moments and feelings in a way that you can see she has lived them too. The indifference of living or dying, the indifference of whether you're on the bed or out on a walk. None of that matters when you're depressed because... everything is numb. And the author shows that clearly to the point that I think even people who haven't dealt with anxiety and depression can understand.
It took me a while to understand that the name of the book, Bell Jar, was a metaphor for depression but it makes sense because that's what depression is. Like you're stuck inside a jar and slowing suffocating on the sour oxygen you have left and the depressive thoughts and ramblings in your mind. It is an accurate depiction of what depression is.
I must admit that the methods used to help with depression (such as electric therapy) and others were scary to read and almost unimaginable. How could someone think this would help? It's scary and beyond me. This is a heavy book on several topics and it's not a light read nor a read to have in a binge-format because it will end up having an effect on you, in my opinion.
Currently I'm still out of words regarding the book, I might come back and add some additional thoughts about it on a later date.
This book is an intense and scary ride. Not scary because you're afraid of something in the book but scary in how relatable it can be. I've suffered from depression and anxiety (and still have slight anxiety) and there were times, during the book, that it was like looking through a window to a past self. I know the book is inspired in the author's life and that is clear as water since she speaks of the moments and feelings in a way that you can see she has lived them too. The indifference of living or dying, the indifference of whether you're on the bed or out on a walk. None of that matters when you're depressed because... everything is numb. And the author shows that clearly to the point that I think even people who haven't dealt with anxiety and depression can understand.
It took me a while to understand that the name of the book, Bell Jar, was a metaphor for depression but it makes sense because that's what depression is. Like you're stuck inside a jar and slowing suffocating on the sour oxygen you have left and the depressive thoughts and ramblings in your mind. It is an accurate depiction of what depression is.
I must admit that the methods used to help with depression (such as electric therapy) and others were scary to read and almost unimaginable. How could someone think this would help? It's scary and beyond me. This is a heavy book on several topics and it's not a light read nor a read to have in a binge-format because it will end up having an effect on you, in my opinion.
Currently I'm still out of words regarding the book, I might come back and add some additional thoughts about it on a later date.