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A review by noahfence
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
4.75
overall, the bell jar is a really amazing view into the way 1950s society dealt with women’s mental health (and women in general).
i had a vague expectation of what i was going to read in the bell jar, and, of course, those expectations were easily defeated and topped.
i thought the prose was beautifully yet unforgivingly sharp and efficient, which was very successful in subtly communicating the characterisation of esther, the main character. i also thought that plath’s continuous exploration around the troubles of childbirth and maternity really came through in this book, of which i always find very poignant. the sense of despair that emanates off of esther throughout the entirety of the novel is all-consuming and very affecting… it’s very hard to not feel dragged along with esther in her tumble into darkness.
i had a vague expectation of what i was going to read in the bell jar, and, of course, those expectations were easily defeated and topped.
i thought the prose was beautifully yet unforgivingly sharp and efficient, which was very successful in subtly communicating the characterisation of esther, the main character. i also thought that plath’s continuous exploration around the troubles of childbirth and maternity really came through in this book, of which i always find very poignant. the sense of despair that emanates off of esther throughout the entirety of the novel is all-consuming and very affecting… it’s very hard to not feel dragged along with esther in her tumble into darkness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Medical content, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, and Suicide
Moderate: Sexism, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Misogyny, and Racism