The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
I’m trying to get ahead on my 50 Books Challenge (I’ve been bad!) and so I picked up The Bell Jar last week. I finished it in two days but didn’t write about it sooner because that’s how I am — I like to let a good book sink in. After reading this stunning gem I wanted more, so I thought about it and read up on Sylvia Plath and reread some of her poetry.
The way she so eloquently put what her life had been into such beautiful prose, and the way I couldn’t help but identify with so many questions and doubts that inevitably pop up as one grows up and is supposed to make way in the world made this book so easy to get lost in. I think especially now that I’m having my own doubts as to what it is I really want to do, whether I can succeed doing what I love and whether I’m just adequate in general (though hopefully I’m not alone in all that, how scary!)
“I saw my life branching out before me like the green fig tree in the story. From the tip of every branch, like a fat purple fig, a wonderful future beckoned and winked….I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig tree, starving to death, just because I couldn’t make up my mind which of the figs I would choose. I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest, and, as I sat there, unable to decide, the figs began to wrinkle and go black, and, one by one, they plopped to the ground at my feet.”
It was heartbreaking and funny and tragic all at the same time.
Inspired! Keep reading it and finding new discoveries of poetic brilliance
i love this book and plath! her poetry is amazing too, you must check it out
sarah hannah\’s last blog…What I Have Learnt About What I Don’t Know
I read it in high school, and it really stuck with me. I need to re-read it. The way she writes is seamless and draws you in and I found myself nodding along with most of what she was saying.
I haven’t read it for awhile, but I used to be obsessed with Sylvia Plath/Ariel/The Bell Jar. I seemed to have so many parallels to Esther, and I actually thought about her situation when I was offered an internship at a magazine in NYC. Some things really do stick with you for life.
Wow what a coincidence. I identified with her thinking a lot of the time, but never quite so literally! I think I’m going through that obsession phase right now, I’ve just been rereading her poetry and I see something different every time I do.
I’m currently reading The Bell Jar and can’t get enough of it! Your review was spot on, and I loved the extract that you posted.
It was one of the passages that really stayed with me! I’m glad you like it as well :)
I read The Bell Jar and loved it. Harrowing stuff. A real incite into the female psyche. You’ll read it in a day and remember it forever. Some great feminist sub text too. I’d highly recommend it.
Clare\’s last blog…I’ve been interviewed
Ooh, I haven’t read it, but I want to, now! It sounds fantastic.
I so love the new look of your site! I’ve been out of town over the weekend so this is the first time I’ve seen it, very impressive! I’ve never really read much of Sylvia Plath although this makes me want to giver her a try. Do you think this book is a good introduction to her?
Also, I am currently reading a book called, “The Peacock Sheds his Tail” by Alice Tisdale Hobart.
denise\’s last blog…On the Road
Thank you dear! I just put it up — I figured I wanted something simple so that I can just concentrate on the writing and images! As for The Bell Jar, it is Sylvia’s only novel (she committed suicide shortly after it was published) but you should definitely get your hands on some of her poetry! It can be bitter and dark sometimes, especially her last few poems, but beautiful. http://www.stanford.edu/class/engl187/docs/plathpoem.html is a good place to start :)
I have never read it, but I think I will sometime. This sounds like an amazingly poignant book! I love her imagery.
Abby\’s last blog…Places I want to visit
I LOVED the Bell Jar. One of our English teachers at school is a Plath obsessive, and she did this whole lesson on her with us after exams. The moment class was over I walked into town and brought a copy and sat down to read after grabbing a quick lunch. Except stopping for a bar of Galaxy I read solid until I’d finished it at 9:15pm. It was INCREDIBLE. One of the best books I have ever read, and I really must read it again soon.
I’m currently reading Alastair Campbell’s Diaries (the press officer behind former British Prime Minster Tony Blair’s premiership, I’m a politics nut, what can I say?!), but I’ve Just finished reading Perfume, Story of a Murderer. If you loved The Bell Jar you’ll love this one, if you haven’t read it already!
Rachel\’s last blog…Tea Time
Oh I’ve heard about the Perfume book & movie! I think I’ll give it a go, it seems like my kind of thing. Thanks for the rec!
Well, at any rate, I would really like to read it- that paragraph is amazing!
Luinae\’s last blog…Lazy Links
You must! :)