Rating: 
Summary: the minds of a young women, exposed
Review: Though what ultimately happens in this book is something that shouldn't be taken lightly, Plath was able sprinkle amusing incidents throughout the plot that make this book deserving of its "classic" classification. As a young woman I can attest that situations in this book are so honest that I could feel a strong connection to the main character. Because I knew from other reviews that this was a book based on the author's own depression, I anticipated it to be mostly serious, however I was surprised that I ended up giggling through most of the book. I strongly recommend this book for any young woman or aspiring poet.
Rating:
Summary: One of the most incredible books ever written
Review: This book is incredible. I benefitted from it greatly. This book about a woman's descent into insanity was amazing. I can't even grasp the words to explain it......just read it and you'll see!
Rating:
Summary: Very well written book
Review: This is a novel that chronicles a young woman's downward spiral into depression and an eventual suicide attempt. It is a thin veiling of Sylvia Plath's own history. Sadly later on she succeeded.With this in mind from the first chapter it is easy to see that the author felt separate from her "healthy" counterparts. I think most of us feel that at some time, however her disassociation became more complete. I was wishing, I had had a sense of what she was like before this began. Was this an extreme change or did she often feel set apart, when she was technically healthy. What is frightening about this book is that while you are in her head with the writing, none of her thoughts or feelings seem so outrageous. In the afterward it indicated she pondered rewriting the whole story from the outside perspective, from her mother and associate's point of view. There were some references that were startling, as the not changing clothes and bathing that were not apparent to the reader that she adds in occasionally. This gives you a sense of a disconnect between the inside and the outside that she was feeling. This outside perspective would have added much to understanding the why for her mother's first suggestion to seeing a doctor, as from "Esther's" view this seemed unnecessary. Ironically, the character never really questioned the need for either the doctor's visit or the electroshock therapy. This shows the character's ability to comply, regardless of how she felt. Authority and other's measurements of her, as most good student's played a very strong part in her personality. Later on, when she is recovering in the asylum, her relations with other people improve, however, she does not appear to the reader to be so different in thought. It appears that the measurement of success is entirely based on the patient's relation to the outside world. As there were no more references to poor hygiene or suicidal thought, this apparently was the mark of wellness. From the reader's perspective this does not necessarily make the transition from a lack of mental health to one that is acceptable, so obvious. It also apparently does not give the patient a framework to work with. This is evident by the fact that she did go on to successfully commit suicide years later. This is a coming of age story that many people have faced in one sense, though not to that extreme, when they get to an age of moving from the teenage world to that of an adult. Often this is triggered by moving from the academic setting to that of the working world. There a disconnect that happens there. The high achieving student that Sylvia Plath was, was apparently unprepared for the shift in priorities that happens during this shift. She lost her footing and until her behavior became extreme, no one noticed.. As this is the second time I read this book, it is evident, I hold it in high regard. It is easy to empathize with the character of Esther and her dilemma's. In some ways too easy. I think most of us when we are troubled disassociate ourselves with the world around us and become very egocentric. This book may serve as blue print for testing yourself to see how well you are doing. I also think this is a good book for young people at this stage to read. It will give them some sense that someone has been there and done that and maybe it can get them to ask for help before they get to the point she did.
Rating:
Summary: a staggering journey through the back life of sylvia plath.
Review: this book is achingly beautiful and impossible to put down. sylvia plath carefully scrims her private life and private thoughts in a dark, dark narrative that is both horrifying and liberating to read. her sense of language is sharp and intuitive. "the bell jar" is a wild ride from the very first sentence to the very last.
Rating:
Summary: Everyone should read The Bell Jar
Review: The Bell Jar is an exceptional book. From the moment I began reading it, I fould it hard to put it down. The book gives a poignant recount of a girl's battle with depression. I thought it was a very moving, touching, and sometimes even humorous story. It was at no time dull or boring. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Plunge yourself into Plath's madness
Review: I had heard about this book from a friend who had become facinated with books about mental turmoil. I myself had read GIRL INTERRUPTED and ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOOS NEST etc. Plath's stream of conciousness writing allows you to envelope yourself in the novel. The storyline itself parallels Plath's own life and brush with mental instability.
Rating:
Summary: A stunning piece of work
Review: When my friend lended this book to me I was then completely shocked of what a great book this actually was and that i almost kicked myself for not reading it the first day that he had lended it to me. I still think that this was the best book recommendation I have ever read. I mean this book and this character Esther is just such a true honest yet bare piece I have ever read it just blows my mind and also I just love Syvlia Plath as a writer and poet. Its really a good book that needs to be read at least once.
Rating:
Summary: A book made to inspire
Review: This is one of my favorite books and opened me to all of Sylvia Plath's work and life.This book was perfectly written and opened you to the little things that others may see and the thoughts you would think you only thought. Sylvia's struggle to write a novel, seem not to exist as we read this autobiographical book of her struggles and her descent into madness. As you read you feel Esther and her awkwardness and you do really get touched by her and survive even if Sylvia didn't. This book also deals with frustration, men, writing, sadness, and depressing luck even though it seemed to be good. All I have to say is this is a must read!
Rating: 
Summary: Haunting and Unforgettable
Review: The overall theme of this book was human suffering. The author explored themes related to this, such as the human mind, struggle, suicide, and young women's positions in society during the 1940s and 50s: more specifically, how this society refuses to take women's aspirations seriously. However, the general theme and certainly the best explored idea of this book would be human suffering and madness. The author explores this well, probably because this was an autobiography. Sylvia Plath obviously understands at the deepest level the theme of this novel; it being a theme in her own life. First Plath explores how suffering begins and develops in a person. In this book, it is not actually clear what brought on the main character's terrifying internal battles and descent into madness. But the development is portrayed clearly; the stages of self doubt turning constant feelings of having no worth whatsoever. The character (as Plath calls herself, Esther) accuses herself of being useless in a society that has no place for her. And so begins a spiraling, quick decline in this young woman as she descends into a life of self mutilation. Throughout this novel, Esther contemplates suicide frequently: "But when it came right down to it, the skin of my wrists looked so white and defenseless against the blade of my Gillete that I just couldn't do it." However, after following multiple attempts at suicide, Esther finally manages to overdose on enough sleeping pills as to land herself in the hospital. Shortly after she is sent to a Psychiatric Ward, where it is expected Electroshock Treatments will cure her depression. After endless, blurry days full of pain and misery, her condition improves. Esther is released from the Ward and is almost herself again. Around this time in her life, Plath completed the book The Bell Jar and produced a plethora of poetry, all astounding pieces of work. By this time she was married to a poet, Ted Hughes, and had two children. Although she was said to be hopeful and optimistic during these days of her life, on the morning of February 11, 1963, Plath ended her life without explanation. This book conveys a journey of an individual's personal experience with human suffering. The theme is well explored by the author, to the extent where the novel was criticized for being hitting the reader with such disturbing impact. I, as well, found this novel to be disturbing. Sylvia Plath dug deep into the landscape of the human mind and eloquently portrayed darkness, disillusion, and despair.
Rating:
Summary: Before Bridget
Review: Before Bridget Jones, before Girls Guide, there was The Bell Jar. The ultimate lost-girl in the big city novel. Love, career, and complete mental collapse keep you turning with manic speed. This vivid story is as modern and cool today as it was then. If you enjoyed Girl, Interrupted by Susan Kaufman you'll probably enjoy this. So put away your razor blades and bring on the ice cream!
|
