The Bell Jar

So yesterday I said to a friend," I'm really all about Sylvia Plath right now. I can't get enough of her". Her reply was, "So are you okay? Feeling alright? Most people are only into Sylvia Plath for one reason!"

Yes, she did commit suicide but she wwas a brilliant writer. Unfortunatley her talent can be overshadowed by her tragic life. It seems that is all people remember. Well, here is my challenge to you, read or re-read The Bell Jar and let me know what you think. I had never read it until recently and am so glad I did not read it during those crazy teenage angst years. (Hopefully) I am coming from a different perspective now. I found the book lyrical and eloquently written with a twist of hope thrown in. And I do mean "hope"...I saw much of myself in Esther, and I mean that in a good way. She was so real. Any woman. I don't know, the book left an inpact and has haunted me...again, in an uplifting way. I wish I could explain it better but I am not that poetic a writer. Oh, and speaking of poetry, I ran out this past weekend and bought her Collected Works of Poetry. I have a need to dig deeper and explore her other writings. Any other Plath fans out there that want a good discussion?

Before I crawl into bed let me tell you briefly what is on my nightstand besides Sylvia Plath's poetry. The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy. A humorous tale of a young American girl on the loose in Paris in the 1950s. As I type this it dawned me that it is rather similar in many aspects to The Bell Jar. Same timeframe, semi-autobiographical, a young college woman. But this book is funny! I have just started it but it has put a smile on my face everytime I've picked it up. The jury is still out but I think I have another winner here.

I should have spent this time explaining our reduced summer hours starting on July 1 but I'll save that for next time. Why ruin a good book!
Good night Monson.