The Book Vipers discussion

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Things to consider:
1. Did you like the book?
2. Did you like or dislike the main characters?
3. Do the characters develop?
4. What did you think of the plot and the ending of the story?
5. Do you have any particular favourite quotes or scenes?
6. Would you read anything else by this author?

Hi, I joined this book group a while back but have not had time to read any of the books you've been reading in good enough time for discussion. However I noticed your are reading this book and I read it a couple of years ago, and remember it having a profound effect on me.
I read it after really enjoying the Film about Sylvia Plath starring Gwyneth Paltrow. I knew that Sylvia Plath suffered from depression, and found the book so powerful that when reading it I felt a slipping, tugging falling feeling - as if I were experiencing it with her. It was very uncomfortable and I don't know if I'd like to read it again for that reason, however I am looking forwards to following this discussion. Did it make you feel the same way?

Welcome to the group Kateevelyne

I have to say kateevelyn that as I read the book I really resonated with the lead character which is why I think it was an uncomfortable read. It makes you realise the fine line between normality and insanity.

“A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us”
~Franz Kafka

I agree.

I picked up ‘The Bell Jar’ by Sylvia Plath on the recommendations of Goodreads after reading ‘Darkness Visible’ and I wasn’t disappointed. This book has definitely broken the ‘frozen sea of emotions’ by ‘axe of beautiful and haunting words’ written by S. Plath. The risk of reading such a great American Classic on the subject of Depression and Suicidal tendencies was enormous. For a writer and reader, this book might just be dangerous considering many events and emotions expressed in the book by the author might be relatable to almost everyone reading the book. There’s always a great danger in reading a book on Psychology. I must also mention here that almost twice I must have thought of giving up on this American Classic for. This is American Classic you shouldn’t miss out on but be aware – This book might just do the opposite of what you might have imagined.


I wouldn’t really go into the details of the story since story of the book didn’t really matter to me. From the blurb on Goodreads, you might have understood that this book is nothing but autobiographical account of Sylvia Plath herself her early 20’s. This is also the very reason why I picked up this book in the first place. After reading ‘Darkness Visible’, I was looking for another autobiographical account of Depression and Suicidal tendencies of the authors and this book was the obvious choice.

I cannot believe I have never read this book. I recently picked up a short biography of Plath and read The Bell Jar. As mentioned above, I really felt myself feeling involved in a way I didn't imagine. My whole mood became very dark after reading certain sections. the writing style seemed to really pull me. I found the scene changing without preamble and the first person narrative very powerful in invoking emotional identity in me. It was also rather self indulgent and pretty much was a ficionalised version of the biography I had read, which made for uncomfortable reading in the suicide attempt parts. There was an intense clarity in describing the mind set at the time of these attempts, for example the cutting in the bathroom and the shock treatments. Disturbing and written so sparingly.
Was glad to finish and return back to my own identity at the end! Glad I was not in one of my darker zones at the time I read it!

I think this kind of writing can affect how you feel. I'm reading this slowly to keep an emotional distance. The writing is really good.

Although this isn't my first reading of The Bell Jar, I did enjoy rereading this classic. Esther is a sympathetic character, and I was so glad that she finally found a caring doctor who really helped her. The book seems to be an indictment on our mental health system, and I wonder if things have improved.

I am glad this got chosen to read together. I was hooked right from the beginning, the writing was easy to read even though you could feel the dark layers very early on. Anyone who has been through any kind of depression will find this book resonating with them.

The fact that this is mostly autobiographical with a few name changes and additions to round the story off, makes this so very sad. Esther has what seems to be a happy ending but it was not meant to be for Sylvia Plath.

Her writing is so poignant you can feel her slipping slowly into the dark pit. It is a very good example of how anyone from any walk of life can fall into despair, as someone who is highly intelligent, having a popular Boyfriend and the possibilities to do a number of things with her life, nothing seemed to make her feel complete. There does not need to be a reason for depression and this highlights that completely.

Generally I do not 'get' poetry and looking at some of her work yesterday briefly in the book shop I can't imagine buying a book of her poetry. However had she written more novels I would have looked them up. I will definitely re-read this at some point as it really is a marvellous work.

Kateevelyne wrote: "the Film about Sylvia Plath starring Gwyneth Paltrow..." I'm glad I've finally read this book and then watched the film (book sooo much better)and then researched some more about how her fans keep deleting her married name from her headstone as they believe that Ted Hughes and his philandering drove her to her grave (and his mistress did the same thing a few years later). If that was fictionalised it would be considered implausible (they both used the gas oven). I always thought The Bell Jar would be too harrowing to read but the writing was superb and it gives amazing insight into the experience of having a predisposition to depression.

1. Did you like the book?
- Mm... It wasn't what I expected! Was thinking it would be alot more "chicklity" book, looking at the cover the book I had borrowed, had. But... No, the book was Ok.

2. Did you like or dislike the main characters?
Esther annoyed me - though I could understand her some on the way.

3. Do the characters develop?
Mm.... I would say she got more annoying on the way;)

4. What did you think of the plot and the ending of the story?
The plot was Ok - and not much more.

5. Do you have any particular favourite quotes or scenes?
"Perphaps when we find outselves wanting everything, it is because we are dangerously close to wanting nothing"

6. Would you read anything else by this author?
Mm... No

I have read this twice, over the years. The second time was better than the first. I suspect it would improve each time I read it. Not for a while though. Life is too short - as shown in the book