A review by seduced_with_literature
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

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

4.0

I have often wondered about Plath, her life and death often overshadowed by Hughes, where I’m from (Ted Hughes hometown, and Sylvia’s place of rest).

I finally in my 30’s got around to reading The Bell Jar. 
At points I found the work a little too forced, but as Ester declines I found myself becoming increasingly gripped. I feel this is a timeless capturing of a teenage girl who struggles with their place in society, relationship, academia and themselves. I wonder how a younger me would have received this story. It’s certainly one I’ll reread, although not alongside other books as I feel to fully appreciate the decent of Easter’s mind and the beautiful writing it should be read alone.  
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