A review by am193
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

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

4.25

I enjoyed this book. There is a lot of humour, particularly in the first third, despite how sad it is as a whole. I think the experience of feeling lost in your 20s is still relatable, even if intricacies of the story aren’t. It is very much a book that reflects the views of the era. However there are some very dark, and graphic portions that should be approached with caution. 

I wouldn’t recommend this book for people who prefer plot driven stories - it more so follows a year in the characters life than specific events and their consequences. This writing style is indicative of Plath being a poet, and the story being a vehicle for a message. 
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