Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #115345 in Books
• Published on: 2000-11-01
• Format: Abridged
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Customer Reviews

Journals flawed but inspiring document of Plath's life
One frustration Plath lovers may have of this book is all the irritating deletions. However, this is a luminous and touching document of Plath's evolution as a poet and as a woman. While it does not cover the period of her final creative fury, we see glimmers of the fiery Ariel she was later to become. There is a curious aspect to all of Plath's writings, seen here just as well as in her poetry, and that is the fact of feeling you have read her words somewhere before. One of Plath's most compelling poetic talents is the element of spirtual nostalgia-- we see things we have half-felt or half-dreamed, emotions we have half-experienced, suddenly blown larger than life before our eyes. Don't read this for any sordid details of Plath's disturbed life. You won't find anything shocking beyond the usual shock of reading the most personal thoughts of someone else. Read it for her views on life, art, and for her lovely use of the English language in depicting images and thoughts. Highly recommended.

Required reading for Sylvia Plath admirers.
Plath's journals covers the period from her time at Smith college, through Cambridge and marriage to Ted Hughes and provides insights into the formation of her poetry. She seems to have used the journal as a testing ground for her poetic idealism. The book stands in stark contrast to her novel 'The Bell Jar' which provides a chilling, anticeptic disassociated account of a mental breakdown. The journal is much more personal, lively and chaotic. It provides an invaluable context to Sylvia Plath's work and is highly recommended.

A life elided
A wonderful insight into Plath's mind, but be careful - many incidents, feelings or thoughts are elided, and these can change Plath's character for the reader. Hopefully the full, unexpurgated version will be out soon, and then everyone will know that Plath bit Hughes' cheek because he stole her hairband and earrings...