The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

...may have been because at the time I was experiencing firsthand the destruction that depression and mental illness can cause. Plath's book is very sad. But it also reinforces the fact that societal expectations and boundaries can push people to the limit. Esther, the college-age protagonist is clearly very ill. But what makes this book wonderful is the sense of intimacy we feel for Esther. The book tells of this college English student's placement ...
...with the 'real world' before charting her tragic breakdown and difficulties with rehabilitation. Plath writes the novel in such a way that ensures its reading public do not feel estranged from a girl whom others may consider to be crazy. In fact, this bright, articulate, intelligent and world-weary young woman is in some respects more 'sane' than the characters who punish her for her malaise. In spite of an ongoing battle with extreme depression, ...

lizzie_haycocks 25.05.2005 · Read full review
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Review of The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

The Bell Jar. This was the only novel that Plath published, which she did under a pseudonym back in the 60's. She was an excellent poet but is largely known for her largely-autobiographical novel. Her real-life persona in the book is Esther Greenwood; a woman in the 60s who has won a contest and is spending the summer at a New York magazine; she has many inner conflicts within herself, she increasingly finds herself suffocating in a bell jar of depression ...
...to communicate effectively out of the jar. This gets too much for her and she ends up being hospitalised. The book is intensely emotional as I knew Plath was talking about her own mental issues that she had in this book. She describes the depression as if it was a never-ending pit of cynicism and true despair that only people who have gone through can truly describe it . She didn't try to make it melodramatic in this sense, she portrayed the suicidal ...

Annallon 25.08.2009 · Read full review
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Review of The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

I think that this is the kind of novel that takes on a new kind of dimension if you can personally relate to it. Don't get me wrong: you will still enjoy this story if you've never had the misfortune to suffer from depression, but being able to empathise with the main character probably makes you think of it in a different way. Plath's analogy of the bell jar (that you're stewing in your own fetid air) was particularly poignant to me. Esther is ...
...fig she has to lose the others. She finds it so hard to decide which one to take that they fall off the tree before she has a chance. She finds herself stifled by her own life, feeling that she has to choose the paths expected of her (such as marrying her hypocritical medical-student boyfriend) rather than the ones she wants. There is a sense of hopelessness throughout the book: Esther can't seem to find a way out. She knows that she's fortunate ...

DoubleFantasy11 21.11.2005 · Read full review
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Review of The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

...cite this as one of the early feminist novels. I see it as just a great novel, with a criticism towards society in there too. But I don't think Plath wrote it just to attack society; it is a very personal, semi-autobiographical novel, exploring themes such as mental illness, the role of women in society and peoples' perceptions of and intelligent girl such as Esther's decision to defy society and follow her own ambitions rather than accept society's ...
...explores many serious issues through the voice of a college student, and does it effectively and in an emotional, believable style. She explores the srained relationship with her mother; and the resentment she feels towards her. She also presents the character of Buddy Willard, a medical student she was expected to marry, as a hypocritical liar, showing the double standards of the time; his affair with a waitress was acceptable, whereas her losing ...

MagicKitten 13.11.2000 (27.11.2000) · Read full review
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Review of The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

...these are beaten out of the picture by the enfoldings of the story. The book is a run through of her degeneration in attitude and mind to show the inside of the tragic tale that ended in her her real life death. The build of emotion in her comes across as a dull, numb ache constantly throbbing away at her mind as it slowly erodes the hope that is left in her. Fatigued and after having given in she is put into psychiatrists wards and homes but nothing ...
...poetic genius that lies behind the book with moments of description that fill the reader with admiration. She does not tend to stretch to language that will have you constantly reaching for the dictionary but it is of a variety that is complex enough for the task she wants to fulfill. The degeneration is of mind and she leaves the reading with a feeling that she is as pure as she wants to be and that she is what she wants to be. The book is involving ...

Sleepflower 24.12.2001 · Read full review
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Review of The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

...I was really left with the feeling that i had just experienced a mental breakdown myself. It is about a young girl who is put into a mental institute and her experiences before, after and during her stay there. The main lesson (a la' Oprah !) that i took from the book was that it is all too easy to cross the border between instability and mental illness and that, although your average mad-looking-person on the street might just look simply crazy, ...
...illness is often affected by the way that the outside world reacts to you. This book was clearly so close to Sylvia Plath's heart, considering her suicide soon after its release, that i felt she had really given herself to me. It humbled me and made me feel grateful for all that i have. You should read it too - if you're feeling strong. If you're not feeling quite that strong!, i would recommend that you read 'Girl Interrupted' by Susannah Kaysen ...

SideTiePanties 09.08.2002 · Read full review
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Review of The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

...a little bit but on the other side has allowed me to see the almost genius writting style. The first thing I feel like I need to say is this is not a cheery untempo kind of book so if you want a book with a happy ending this is definately not for you. The story revolves around a girl called Esther a 19 year old who has won a writting contest to go to New York. However for some unknown reason (although it seems like it is because of her fathers ...
...placed in a mental institution. The book also tackles the issue of the pressure for women to fit a set stereotype. Some say the book is autobiographical as Plath had bouts of depression and eventually commited suicide herself. The book is excellently written and although confussed within the beggining of the book Esther is easy to relate to and the issues tackled are universal and unaffected by time. A British classic something everyone should ...

gayleb 19.07.2000 · Read full review
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Review of The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

The Bell Jar was the most captivating book I have ever read, I was literally unable to put it down, it was incredible. Following the life of a beautiful, talented young woman, who's life takes a turn for the worse, with a suicide attempt. Her time throughout two very different phychiatric hospitals are described with much detail. One where she is treated with callousness and ignored, the other a welcome contrast. Plath captures the emotions that ...

Eri 05.10.2000 · Read full review
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Review of The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

...novel, written in reflection with the life of the author (sylvia plath). My curiosity proved that I was interested into an insight to mental illness, although i did not feel that the book lived up to its recommendations. The book follows the story of a young "wannabe" journalist, and her life. It begins with her college life, and her love life. However, these fail her, and she realises that she is not in a stable state of mentality. At some points ...
...interesting, and gripping, but I failed to get hooked on it, and was left dissappointed. I would most likely recommend it, as it is a well-written book, not too difficult, but not a book that I found difficult to put down. Thanks for reading the review. ...

groovybaby3002 23.04.2005 · Read full review
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Review of The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

Great book, detailing the authors semi-autobiographical- character; Esther Greenwood. Whom upon getting a summer internship at a prominent magazine begins to exprience a breakdown. Slyvia Plath distills into this book the essence of mental anguish but still remains lucid as you fall with her into despair. Great book as previously stated-one of the greats! ...

6947karen 04.09.2008
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Review of The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

The novel flows like fine poetry, and is definately within my top 3 favourite books (along side the hitch-hiker's guide and The Beach). I had to read the Bell Jar in a few days, it was so captivating. Plath writes in a semi-autobiographical manner, graphing her psychological downfall. She details her treatment in the various medical institutions in which she lives over the years. She attepts suicide on a number of occasions but she survives the insanity, ...
...Having read "Letters Home"- the book compiled from all of Plath's letters, it is clear that The Bell Jar is a parable to Plath's life, but with a differant ending. Plath sadly commited suicide, but left us with some fantastic poetry, short stories and of course The Bell Jar. ...

tabbyshar 06.04.2004 · Read full review
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Review of The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

This novel is the most eye opening and refreshing novel i have read in a long time. I really enjoyed reading it, and despite the obvious sensitive nature of the story i found it touching and it really affected me. I don't often complete novels in short periods of time, but this only took me a day because it really drew me in. I have always been fond of Sylvia Plath and reading this novel inspired me to become more and more interested in her poetry. ...
...woman trapped by depression in the 21st century. This novel does not intend to depress its audience, but sets out to alert people to the way people with depression were treated and how they lived. I would recommend this novel to anyone with an interest in Plath, or someone looking for a thought provoking read, however don't read if you are looking for a light "fun" read. ...

fluffytip 03.12.2005 · Read full review
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Review of The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

...novel. I was shocked at the experiences the characters went through, and I felt myself identifying with them and getting involved in the plot. A word of warning, this isn't for the light-hearted. It's a wicked-serious book, which might not suit all tastes, but if you have a fascination with the unusual or are interested in psychology, it makes gripping reading. I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through. I would liken this book in a sense ...

moiralily 26.05.2005 · Read full review
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Review of The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

...my interview I desperately read the Bell Jar: on the bus, train, bed. I thought it'd be torture having attempted previously but gave up (thought it was dry and boring. Didn’t’ get it). 2nd time round I was surprised, in a good way. It actually made sense: no I'm not suicidal. It interested me, not in an entertainment sense, but psychologically. Try it: give it a chance. It’s worth it! Storyline: It tells of the break down of an ...

tweaky 22.04.2001 · Read full review
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Review of The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath