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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “I went through a big catch up phase after college. I was disappointed in myself when I realized I'd made it through my education without ever having read this. I read this and Catcher in the Rye back to back. I found them to be great companions. I found this book to completely live up to it's...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“My all-time favorite book.”
Lindsey wrote this review Wednesday, November 4 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I had tried to read this a few months ago, but could not get into it.
La fille a la folie. wrote this review Saturday, June 13 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I tried it again and could hardly put it down (right timing).
A very poetic book. Her writing is amazing.
In the first half of this semi-autobiographical novel, Esther Greenwood is on a trip in New York working with a fashion magazine. The second half features her breakdown and subsequent stay at an asylum.
What frightened me about this book is how it was so easy to relate to this character.
I also gained a new respect for Plath in that she stepped out of the norms of her era with an unapologetic boldness. Her character rejected the traditional maternal want, was an individual that didn't want a man to run her life, was pro abortion... the list goes on. She had revolutionary thoughts in such a stale, traditional society.
Side note: I thought it funny that in that day and time she could call the Pope "monkey-faced." This book must have created quite a scandal. Abortion, women's rights, religious swipes...
Overall, a very good book. I'm glad I was able to get into it and plan on analyzing her book of Poetry, Ariel, over the summer.
”
“I read this when I was sixteen & feeling particularly alienated. I remember that it was weird, dark, eccentric & that it struck a chord.”
Bella Blithely wrote this review Friday, November 28 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Striking, frightening, alive. Like a creature was trapped between the pages, Plath brings to vivacity the waves of madness she experiences, while building on an interesting plot.”
Madeleine B wrote this review Sunday, October 5 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I liked it, although I was expecting more after reading the back cover. A sad story of mental breakdown and depression.”
auringonkukka wrote this review Tuesday, September 30 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Something rings hollow. I only managed to read this book because it recently "appeared" in my house. At 21, I tried to read this, because I had found some of Plath's poetry interesting. I couldnt swallow.
qgmom wrote this review Saturday, September 27 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Being 20 is self involvement, compounded by depression, it could become inhuman-Plath's point I suppose.
Even in depression, the multitude of layers never laid so flat. Maybe I am lucky-but Plath is mourning herself.
I cant digest this in a relative way...
Even at 20 and depressed, to me, Plath seemed ardently self involved.
Was she talented-For Sure. A reflection of the "Mothers Little Helper Times" absolutely.
Perhaps an independent girl smothered by her institutions...
I dont know. I just cant swallow.”
“Apparently largely autobiographical, this book chronicles Plath's fight with interior demons. A depressing book and one I found difficult to read as I have strong feelings about suicide (only thinking it permissible if you're suffering on your death bed). Nevertheless she took us inside her head like no other presumably bipolar person ever had before (and perhaps since).”
muque and shylock tomes wrote this review Wednesday, September 24 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
0 of 1 members found this review helpful“For anyone that has an interest in mental illness this is a great read. I liked hearing about the other people she encounters later in the book in the institution.”
Danielle S wrote this review Friday, August 1 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
