The most recent Classics Club Spin dealt me The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. Our task was to read and review the chosen book by July 7. Surprisingly, I finished this novel toward the end of May. Unsurprisingly, I'm still late posting my thoughts.
Originally published in 1963, The Bell Jar struck me as very readable and insightful, yet painful and tragic. One can't help but wonder exactly where autobiographical facts end and fictional details begin. I appreciated the seemingly accurate, honest portrayal of slipping into a deep depression, but overall this was not an especially enjoyable or memorable reading experience. Plath's summer in NYC was the most interesting aspect of the novel for me. I might have preferred reading Pain, Parties, Work: Sylvia Plath in New York, Summer 1953 by Elizabeth Winder.
A quick glance at goodreads ratings and blogger reviews tells me that The Bell Jar is a well-loved classic. Could being over 50 at the initial reading have influenced my reaction? This seems like a book I would have loved in my 20's and possibly even into my 30's. Maybe I should chalk it up to the "Catcher in the Rye effect"... a book many young adults love, but which loses its luster for some middle-aged readers.
Bottom line - I wish I'd read The Bell Jar in my 20's. Perhaps it doesn't shine quite as brilliantly for the over-50 set.
My rating:
I've been wanting to read this ever since I read Pain, Parties, Work.
ReplyDeleteKathy - This one definitely made me curious about Pain, Parties, Work. Hope I can make time for it soon.
DeleteI think you're right that how much you like this book depends on when you read it - I first read it in my late teens and loved it. I'm rereading it for the classics club soon, it'll be interesting to see if I like it as much at 28.
ReplyDeleteSam - I'll be curious to hear what you think of it now.... really wish I'd read it sooner.
DeleteI've felt that way about a few books (Catcher in the Rye and Kerouac for sure.) I think some books just work better when you're young. I did read this one in college, so it clicked, but I don't know if I would feel the same now.
ReplyDeleteMelissa - I've never read Kerouac and after this experience, am afraid I never will.
DeleteIt's entirely possible that you'd feel different if you'd read it earlier, or, perhaps, in the larger context of Plath's overall work. For me, it's a bittersweet read--a flawed first novel, but full of potential that went unrealized because she killed herself so young. She'd hit her stride in poetry, but not yet in fiction. Some of her late essays are beautiful too, and it's hard to think about what all she might have accomplished if she'd lived longer.
ReplyDeleteAmy - I like Plath's poetry, but have not read any of her essays....now I'm curious.
DeleteI totally agree with you. I read this in my 20s and it resonated much more strongly with me. I read it again a few months ago (I am now in my 30s) and while I appreciated that I was reading about some real things that Sylvia Plath was feeling, my feelings on the book were..meh.
ReplyDeleteAnd I really want to read Pain, Parties, Work. You just reminded me of it - I think I will request from the library right now!
Quixotic Magpie - Can't wait to hear what you think! I think I'll listen to Pain, Parties, Work.
DeleteI keep saying that I NEED to read this...at 33 am I too late? ;) I think I might do better with a psuedoautobiography of a mom to young kids.
ReplyDeleteI did really enjoy Pain, Parties, Work and I'm guessing you'd appreciate it with just having read The Bell Jar. The audio by Xe Sands is particularly good.
Trish - I'd be interested in your reaction to this one, especially with Pain, Parties, Work fresh in your mind. Will take your advice and listen... Xe Sands is an excellent narrator!
DeleteYou know, I'm not sure if I have read this, or if I'm confusing it with I Never Promised You a Rose Garden. Not sure I would go back to it now, unless you recommend it, but I did notice Pain, Parties, Work and thought it sounded intriguing.
ReplyDeleteAudrey - I'd certainly recommend giving this a pass now, but Pain, Parties, Work certainly sounds interesting.
DeleteI read it for book club and because I felt that as a reader, I should...but I would never say I loved it. It was really depressing and not a likable book really.
ReplyDeleteTi - Exactly. I'm glad to have finally read it, but not a great experience...
DeleteI agree with you and many of the above comments. I read Catcher in the Rye in my late 30's or maybe 40's and it was completely lost on me. I love re-reading classics from high school and first time reading the ones that I missed back then. The Bell Jar has always been on my list... but maybe not now. Your reviews have never steered me wrong!
ReplyDeleteLilea - Aww, thanks. I tried Catcher in the Rye again in my late 30's or 40's and found it insufferable, but The Great Gatsby, Of Mice and Men, and a few others have stood the test of time. Surprisingly, I had a much greater appreciation of The Old Man and the Sea at 50.
DeleteThere are still others I want to reread - The Grapes of Wrath, The Winter of Our Discontent, Tender is the Night, Look Homeward Angel... not enough hours in the day!
I read this one in '08, at 36 and liked it more than you did, but didn't love it. It was depressing for sure. If I read it at this point in my life I'd probably hate it :)
ReplyDeleteStacy - LOL! This is NOT a book to read when you're dealing with a preschooler...
DeleteI read this in my late forties when I had just recovered from a major depression, so it clicked with me then.
ReplyDeleteDebbie - I think under those circumstances, it may have had more of an impact on me, too.
DeleteLike Audrey, I'm not sure if I've actually read this - it would have been in high school, I think. I wish I'd kept a reading journal then like I do now.
ReplyDeleteLisa - I've often wished that, too...there are so many books I've read about and forgotten.
DeleteThis is on my list of books I feel like I should have read but never did. From the sound of your review and the comments I think I'll read Pain, Parties, Work and go from there.
ReplyDeleteKatherine - Pain, Parties, Work will probably be more to my liking, but I'm glad to have read The Bell Jar. It's a book I've always felt I should read, too.
DeleteOh, maybe I've left this one too late to tackle too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your honest review.
Brona - Maybe it won't be the case for you, but I'm quite certain I would have appreciated this much more 20 years ago...
DeleteNow that I've finished it myself, I could finally read your post on it!
ReplyDelete>One can't help but wonder exactly where autobiographical facts end and fictional details begin.
I found myself wondering about this constantly--even going so far as to try searching the internet for clues. I guess I came away thinking she pretty much wrote what happened...from her point of view. A biographer would probably reconstruct things a bit differently, but I got the feeling she was trying to be honest.
Pain, Parties, Work is on my TBR list, but I need a break before diving into Plath's life again. Very sad and draining...as I knew it would be and why I avoided it when I was young and impressionable.
JaneGS - I was going to dive right into Pain, Parties, Work, but it turns out I need a little break, too. Maybe this winter...
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