The Bell Jar

Having heard many polarizing opinions about this book, some totally loved it and felt it was super relatable, while others couldn't stand it because the main character was pretty unlikable and made some racist comments, as well as reciting some mean thoughts in her mind. After reading it, I agree with both viewpoints and find them true. The thoughts and ideas presented in the main character’s mind feel honest, even if they might be distasteful to some readers and relatable to some others. If a young, white woman from this time period, accustomed to the privileges, challenges, and conditioning she would have experienced, coupled with her struggle with mental illness, were to share her raw and honest thoughts without fear of judgment, I imagine it would closely resemble this narrative. My point is that the main characters in books can be good people, complex individuals, or outright villains. Authors can portray characters as good, even if they themselves lack moral or ethical integrity, or they may depict their central character as bad, despite being admirable people in real life. I won’t really know what kind of person Sylvia Plath was, except that she had her struggles and died too soon. And her book was set in the times when racism and sexism were just as normalized as shock treatment for depression. Perhaps some misdirected bitterness influenced her writing, and then it’s just as possible that her angst and honesty also found their way into this book. That said, overall, I didn’t enjoy the book for its plot or story, but I definitely found the observations honest and admired the author’s writing style. The writing was exquisite, and the use of imagery was incredibly skillful, leaving me with some very memorable scenes.

One of the best poets of any age. Super relatable and inspiring at from adolescence to adulthood.

A deeply intriguing story that makes you think about your own existence

I absolutely stunning! Loved it! The humor is fantastic, and I adore how obsessively meticulous she is. It’s almost tragic, and I can’t help but get goosebumps thinking that it might be inspired by her real life.

I enjoyed the novel—for the most part. While I don’t appreciate the racist comments, I understand that it was written in a different time. The writing is beautiful, and while some parts really resonated with me, others made me cringe. I relate a lot to Esther and deeply appreciated the novel’s feminist themes, as well as its thoughtful exploration of depression and suicide.