leahreadsstuff 's review for:

Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath by Heather Clark

5.0

dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

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One of the best biographies I’ve read. Thoroughly researched, skillfully written, and deeply emotional. I was moved to tears at the end. 

However, I struggle with biographies. The facts are tainted by the author’s own opinions. The conclusions drawn about the subject are less about reality and more about the author’s agenda. In spite of the comprehensive nature of this book and the veritable fountain of factual information on Sylvia’s life, there are a lot of: might haves, could haves, and may haves. 

Every biography has an element of the author in it. That’s an unavoidable thing. However, biographies work best when they simply state facts and allow the audience to draw their own conclusions. The book is at its strongest when it sticks to Sylvia’s own journals and letters and those of her family and friends, and allows her life and choices to speak for themselves. 

Of Sylvia herself there is too much to say. I have pages of notes that I could reference. But rather than sharing them, I would encourage anyone who is interested to read the book. In spite of some minor authorial challenges, this empathetic and complex portrait of a singularly gifted woman is worth the time. On a personal note, reading this and coming to know Sylvia encouraged me to take some risks with my own writing and helped me rediscover a lost sense of rawness and truth.