A review by samugranjo
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

dark emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

When I was younger I had a very hard time with depression, now almost 10 years later I still have intense depressive episodes with terrifying thoughts but it's much more manageable. This book has probably the best depiction of depression, suicidal thoughts and burnout that I have ever read. I have never felt so understood, and at the same time so glad about how many things that I would have related to in the past are no longer part of my everyday experience. On top of this, the fig analysis has been a guide and a help through the last years of my life, making me remind myself that not taking action in making decisions is also a choice itself with its own consequences.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Medical trauma, Sexual violence, Blood, and Mental illness

Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Death, and Sexual content

Minor: Alcohol, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Racial slurs, and Death of parent

There's descriptions of bad medical practices with mentally ill patients, including a detailed shock treatment session. There's also a reference to a lobotomy.