So, a few days ago, I re-read this book. While I actually like some of Sylvia Plath's poetry quite a bit, this book has always rubbed me a little the wrong way. I found it funny how some parts of it came back to me very clearly, and other parts I didn't remember at all. Overall, it's an interesting book (and a classic of sorts -- there's a good article in Wikipedia about it), but the main character, Esther, gets on my nerves. I understand it's not really her fault -- she's descending into mental illness. But I've never cared for her, or been especially sympathetic -- when I read this book, I'm somewhat interested in the story, and what's going to happen to her .... but I don't really care that much. And frankly, because she's disturbed, being inside Esther's head in this story is disturbing. It makes me uncomfortable. But that's not necessarily a bad thing -- I don't mind if a book does that because it means it's doing what it's supposed to do. However, I don't think I'll be revisiting this story again any time soon -- I'd rather revisit some of Plath's poetry, instead.
On that note, I'll leave you with a poem I've always gotten a kick out of: Metaphors by Sylvia Plath (it's cleverly constructed once you really start paying attention to it)
I'm a riddle in nine syllables, An elephant, a ponderous house, A melon strolling on two tendrils. O red fruit, ivory, fine timbers! This loaf's big with its yeasty rising. Money's new-minted in this fat purse. I'm a means, a stage, a cow in calf. I've eaten a bag of green apples, Boarded the train there's no getting off.
1 comments:
I felt this way about Catcher in the Rye and had a "am I missing something" moment.
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