I loved this book. It 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 in New York, her summer vacation and her difficulties reconciling 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, Plath retains the dignity and heroism of her subject. Esther is a real, warm sensitive human being; with an illness that slowly destroys her. But her humanity always stays intact and the beauty of the prose suggests that the interior of Esther's world is a terrifying, confusing place that inspires genius whilst destroying the 'self'.
The book deals with mental illness in a tender way. I think more people need to read it to understand the devastating effects of depression. Moreover, other themes of sexual politics and sexual hypocrisy are woven into the fabric of the book.
The style is candid and 'poetic' but in a way that only reinforces the erudite abilities of its subject. The style is never so over-poeticised that the stark and horrific realities are destroyed. The treatment of Esther's breakdown is shocking and makes me realise how lucky we are to live in an age in which social attitudes towards mental illness are beginning to change and treatments are becoming more effective.
Esther does not fit. She cannot reconcile her 'self' (with whom in many ways she is completely at peace with) with the struggles and realities of the modern world and modern soicetal attitudes. The book is a real eye-opener and although it is, in many senses, a bleak window onto the controlling power of mental illness and mental breakdown, it simultaneously leaves a part of its heroine in tact. The story is tragic. But, perhaps what is more tragic is the fact that Esther can never find true peace with herself. But, in spite of this, her beauty and courage remains. Like Plath (and we must remember that the novel is semi-autobiographical) her tragic genius is also her tragic downfall. It is a powerful book and an eye-opening read.I think it is worth the 'sadness'; after all, mental illness can happen to anyone and should be an issue that is less taboo and less hushed up than it currently is.
Powerful, beautiful and very educating.
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Plath was an excellent poet but is known to many for this largely autobiographical ... more
novel.The Bell Jartells the story of a gifted young woman's mental breakdown beginning during a summer internship as a junior editor at a magazine in New York City in ...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Plath was an excellent poet but is known to many for this largely autobiographical novel. ... more
The Bell Jar tells the story of a gifted young woman's mental breakdown beginning during a summer internship as a junior editor at a magazine in New York City i...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Plath was an excellent poet but is known to many for this largely autobiographical ... more
novel.The Bell Jartells the story of a gifted young woman's mental breakdown beginning during a summer internship as a junior editor at a magazine in New York City in ...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Plath was an excellent poet but is known to many for this largely autobiographical novel. ... more
The Bell Jar tells the story of a gifted young woman's mental breakdown beginning during a summer internship as a junior editor at a magazine in New York City i...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Honest, poignant, truthful ending Disadvantages: The sense of hopelessness - not very encouraging if you're suffering from depression yourself
DoubleFantasy11 21.11.2005 (21.11.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
Advantages: A very well witten novel, easy to understand but not simplisic Disadvantages: A shame Plath didnt write another novel; her short stories are also excellent
Advantages: Honest, poignant, truthful ending Disadvantages: The sense of hopelessness - not very encouraging if you're suffering from depression yourself
DoubleFantasy11 21.11.2005 (21.11.2005)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
Advantages: A very well witten novel, easy to understand but not simplisic Disadvantages: A shame Plath didnt write another novel; her short stories are also excellent
May 25th, 2005
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