Sylvia Plath: Escaping the Bell Jar

» pennywhitting - Re: Re: Plath

Hi Pamela. My interest in Sylvia Plath began years ago and increased when a writing friend wrote and performed a play about Plath's life. I haven't read The Bell Jar, but it is now top of my list. Your review makes me want to run out and buy a copy today.
In response to message posted by :

-- posted by pennywhitting

Permalink Print Discussion Email Discussion Join the latest discussions

» pamela_saint - Re: Re: Plath

In response to message posted by Gwenda:

Hi Wendy,

Sylvia would have cut quite the dark figure in Tudor times! Thanks for visiting. I believe there's an audio version, albeit abridged, of The Bell Jar, if you're short on time but spend a lot of time stuck in traffic.

Hope you're still enjoying your print-published author high!

-- posted by pamela_saint

Permalink Print Discussion Email Discussion Join the latest discussions

» pamela_saint - Re: Re: Re: Plath

In response to message posted by Geewhit:

Hi Glenice,

How intriguing. What is the name of the play your friend wrote? Has it been performed? I hear there's a movie being produced in England about Plath's life, although I do not hold out much hope, as I'm not a Gwyneth Paltrow fan. I can't imagine her doing Plath justice, although I admit to being somewhat curious about Paltrow's adapting a Massachusetts twang, rather than her normal British pretense. Perhaps her mother, who is playing Plath's mother in the movie, will save the day. I will remain open to being pleasantly surprised.

Thanks for stopping in. I hope you enjoy the novel if you find the opportunity to read it.

-- posted by pamela_saint

Permalink Print Discussion Email Discussion Join the latest discussions

» pamela_saint - Re: Re: Re: Plath

In response to message posted by Geewhit:

Gosh, I just read that Paltrow's father died. I feel rather mean for lambasting her in my earlier e-mail...

-- posted by pamela_saint

Permalink Print Discussion Email Discussion Join the latest discussions

» WebbQuest - Re: Re: Re: Re: Plath

In response to message posted by pamela_saint:

I'm wondering, is anyone here interested in returning here for a virtual discussion on Paltrow's Plath performance when the film debuts??

I've been a new Plath fan myself for roughly half a year. Her life may not have been an overall happy one - but she sure gave our world some fine poetry to admire.

-- posted by WebbQuest

Permalink Print Discussion Email Discussion Join the latest discussions

» Suzanne Hill - your change

Hi Pamela,
I really like your change to "British and American Literature, 1900 - Today." I look forward to more of your great reviews.

Thank you!
Suzanne

-- posted by Suzanne Hill

Permalink Print Discussion Email Discussion Join the latest discussions

» pamela_saint - Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Plath

In response to message posted by WebbQuest:

Hi Sara,

I'd love to come back and chat about the movie!

I'm going to Smith College this week to do some research using the college's archive of Plath material. It's odd anticipating combing through someone's belongings--like rifling through their underwear drawer, I think Plath's daughter refers to it.

-- posted by pamela_saint

Permalink Print Discussion Email Discussion Join the latest discussions

» pamela_saint - Re: your change

In response to message posted by suzannemhill:

Thanks, Suzanne. I'm looking forward to the change. I was beginning to feel a bit hemmed in after almost three years with a British focus, yet I didn't want to let the British influence fade. I'm hoping to alternate, American one month, British the next.

-- posted by pamela_saint

Permalink Print Discussion Email Discussion Join the latest discussions

» WebbQuest - Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Plath

In response to message posted by pamela_saint:

Then it's a date (chatting about the movie)! And, how intriguing, your rifling over Plath's life!

-- posted by WebbQuest

Permalink Print Discussion Email Discussion Join the latest discussions

» toberson - Re: Re: Plath

In response to message posted by pamela_saint:

I've read the Bell Jar at least twice now and I would say it is not so much about the dark side of herself as an artist as about the risks and struggles of finding an authentic voice and alternatives to the image of womanhood in the 50's. I say this because,as a visual artist and fledgling poet, I have found that I relate to Plath's struggle, even if I'm not stuck in the 50's, I still find it challenging to resist the inauthentic forces which I encounter as a woman and as an artist. Thanks for the reference to the James Taylor song, I've always liked that one.

-- posted by toberson

Permalink Print Discussion Email Discussion Join the latest discussions