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A review by danielakl
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Though I absolutely devoured ‘The Bell Jar,’ I struggled with some of the language and attitudes that I’m sure my parents would describe as “products of that time.” I don’t find that reasoning to be an appropriate criticism. However, I think that looking at Esther/Sylvia as a deeply faulted, self involved, struggling student that is both understandable but not necessarily condemnable gave me license to evaluate the novel beyond its instances of racism.
The story of Esther Greenwood, a fictionalized version of Plath herself, articulated the visceral fear and emotional stagnation that accompanies untreated depression in a way I’ve never seen before. Plath’s writing is sure to strike a chord with young adults who love someone more the less they know them, who have rarely encountered external failure, who see the futility of life but are not emotionally equipped to appreciate the freedom in ephemerality, who can only work and create to satisfy an eternal need for purpose. In many ways that I’ve never had the talent to describe, I resonated with her journey. There is a refined rawness that ribbons through the book and made me feel like I was reading a diary, or hearing whispered confessions late at night. While I’m not sure this is something I could universally recommend, if you think you’ll like it, you most likely will.
The story of Esther Greenwood, a fictionalized version of Plath herself, articulated the visceral fear and emotional stagnation that accompanies untreated depression in a way I’ve never seen before. Plath’s writing is sure to strike a chord with young adults who love someone more the less they know them, who have rarely encountered external failure, who see the futility of life but are not emotionally equipped to appreciate the freedom in ephemerality, who can only work and create to satisfy an eternal need for purpose. In many ways that I’ve never had the talent to describe, I resonated with her journey. There is a refined rawness that ribbons through the book and made me feel like I was reading a diary, or hearing whispered confessions late at night. While I’m not sure this is something I could universally recommend, if you think you’ll like it, you most likely will.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Suicide attempt
Minor: Racism