Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The original and best on depression?, 23 Jan 2004
Sylvia Plath is probably one of the most recognisable female authors and poets of modern times, she will be largely remembered for her haunting poetry of depression and mostly autobiographical novel (the first and last) the Bell Jar in which her real life persona is replaced by Esther Greenwood, a young woman who is on the verge of breaking into the writing world. In the first section of the book Esther is an intern in New York working for a prestigious fashion magazine. It is clear from the outset that she has worries as she cannot find any immediate beauty in the cosmopolitan world of NY, she merely carries on day to day but it is clear the enjoyment and excitement is gone. As the book progresses we see her return home where she essentially suffers a nervous breakdown in which she is unable to move from her room and concludes that the everyday tasks of life are too unbearable. She then goes on the journey into a deep depression in which she clearly considers the best method for suicide, has regular visits to a psychiatrist and spends time in a mental rehabilitation unit. The one thing that this book highlights is the terrible way in which mentally ill people were treated in the 50’s and early 60’s, the method of electric shock therapy to eradicate her depressed feelings leaves her scared of any other ‘help’ she may receive, and we see how petrified she becomes when next given this ‘treatment’ albeit once more under more friendlier circumstances. The story is a powerful evocation of Plaths own mental health issues and by writing this book she successfully suggested to a quietened nation of other mental health sufferers that it was ‘ok’ to feel this way and that it happened to the best and most promising bright young things. The way in which the Bell Jar is still seen as a core piece of literature on depression shows the values it holds even today, when rivalled against other authors memoirs such as Elizabeth Wurtzel’s ‘Prozac Nation’ and later on ‘More, now, again’ she remains the original and possibly the best writer on the issue of depression and mental health.
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fantastic, haunting insight, 3 Jul 2007
Sylvia Plath's semi-autobiographical novel is a harrowing, thought provoking insight into the mind of a woman who is almost synonymous with mental illness.
Indeed, the mental health issue runs through the novel and the main character, who is based on Plath in a number of ways, spends a significant amount of time in a mental institution, dealing with the effects this has on her and her condition. The work provides a haunting insight to the reality of a mental illness, and how this affects the sufferer and their immediate family and friends.
From studying Plath's poetry, it can be clearly seen that the central character is based on the author. The most obvious representation comes from their conditions in the novel (bi-polar disorder, abandonment issues, a hint of an Electra Complez) and if you know anything about Plath, many short quotations in the novel take on a much more significant meaning than they would on their own. In fact, it is probably best to understand the writer's basic background before approaching the novel.
So far, I've painted a picture of a heavy, depressing read. Whilst I cannot deny that it is a heavy book dealing with a massive subject, I did not find it depressing in any way, but rather fascinating.
"The Bell Jar" is a crucial work of American literature, and is an essential purchase for any fan of Plath's work, or any fan of literature in general. Be warned, however, that it is a heavy book, particularly if you do not understand the background.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Flawlessly written but profoundly disturbing., 22 Jul 2003
This book is unlike any other that I have read so far. Instead of focusing mindlessly on a linear plot, it delves deep into the psyche of a young, seemingly ordinary woman. Esther's disturbed mind is mirrored by the fragmented narration of the plot; the author blends flashbacks and commentaries in with the actual time at which the novel is set on many occasions, which can be perplexing at times. I believe that this adds to the very individual experience of reading such a work of genius.I found the image of the bell jar astounding, yet extremely disquieting at times as I often found myself imagining such a jar surrounding my head in the way the author describes in the novel. The author succeeds in projecting aspects of her personality, which the reader can relate to (or, at least, I could). Her depiction of reality through the eyes of a cynical, intelligent youth is insightful and refreshingly candid, albeit all too familiar, to such an extent that I found myself laying the book down so that I may recuperate from its chilling message. I highly recommend this book to all those who love the classics, especially those who enjoy reading material that challenges the mind.
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by J. D. Salinger
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