Comments on: Sylvia Plath: The Bell Jar

By: Max Cairnduff

Max Cairnduff — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:14:59 +0000

I read it in school, which is actually a great time to read it, and definitely enjoyed it. I think your review really brings out its strengths actually, particularly the often unsettling language. Her background as a poet definitely shows through.

I’m looking forward to your take on The Crying of Lot 49, I wrote that up myself recently and was very impressed by it.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:47:38 +0000

Sorry I’ve been away from the comments for so long! Tolmsted, thanks for the tips on where I can pick up more perspectives on Plath. I’m not sure I’ll devote a large amount of time on it — not now anyway; that New Yorker article was just the right amount to soothe my curiosity about Plath and Hughes’ involvement in her estate. That doesn’t take care of the problem of limited perspective though, does it.

Kerry, I look forward to your thoughts. I don’t know when I would have read it were it not for the Olive Edition. Let’s try to make sure Harper has a reason to do it again next year!

By: Kerry

Kerry — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:44:54 +0000

You make a strong case that this should go on my 2010 TBR. Plus, the cover of this edition is beautiful. I tend to like dark works and I loved the quotes you provided. That’s it. It’s on the TBR. Thanks.

By: tolmsted (BookSexy)

tolmsted (BookSexy) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:55:48 +0000

Sorry – typo…. Ted Hughes’ sister has been in charge of the Plath estate.

By: tolmsted (BookSexy)

tolmsted (BookSexy) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:54:52 +0000

I read Plath in high school (fortunately not as part of the curriculum) – and have been meaning to re-read it again for years. I remember this one amazing passage at the end where she describes the bell jar lifting and fresh air entering as it’s raised. I wonder how much of that paraphrase is accurate and how much I can attribute to a decades old memory?

Word of caution: reading up on Plath’s life is fraught with pitfalls (sorry, couldn’t stop myself!). She’s been appropriated by multiple groups – so everyone tries to twist her into what best fits their personal agendas. Add to it that Ted Hughes’ has been in charge of the Plath estate (probably not the best choice for multiple reasons) and the whole thing becomes incredibly murky. I found The Silent Woman: Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes by Janet Malcolm interesting, and might be a good place to start as it deals with much of this. Also, I’ve always meant to read Hughes’ Birthday Letters – his collection of poems on Plath. My advice is to avoid the movies as best you can.

By: Jackie (Farm Lane Books)

Jackie (Farm Lane Books) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:17:46 +0000

I avoided reading The Bell Jar for a long time, as I assumed it would be dark and disturbing. I was actually surprised by how light and easy to read it was. I didn’t find it depressing at all.