Wintering: A Novel of Sylvia Plath

A beautiful narrative with saccades of memory interwoven with a tragic subject: the final months of Sylvia Plath. Almost poetic in style, Moses creates convincing fictional dialogue; and links Plath's life events with mythologies and the culture of the era. There is a tug-of-war of empathy for both Plath and Hughes; as Hughes is portrayed with a humanly character in contrast to the stereotype created by feminists. The deep spiritual union between art and life is left with the reader on conclusion of this work.
Worth re-reading if only for the vocabulary.

I gave this book the rare compliment of reading it twice -- once when it first came out, back in 2003. I have a frustrating relationship with Plath, to whom I'd like to give, alternately, a long hug and a hard slap. Apparently that's the way Ted felt about her, too.

As a child of a mother who made many attempts at suicide, and who finally died by accident when she was about Plath's age (when I was 2 1/2 and my sister was 5 1/2), I have always been struck by the extraordinary self-centeredness of young parents who choose suicide. I imagine Plath's children, who are older than me by about a decade, have searched all their lives for the answers to why they were not --worthy enough? --compelling enough? --loved enough? --to have a mother who show more chose to stay, to live, if only for them. Kate Moses has helped to shed some light on these terrible questions, and for that, I thank her. show less

An introspective look at Sylvia Plath's mindset in the years leading up to her suicide. Wintering takes particular interest the author's interactions with her stifling mother, beloved children, and adulterous husband (Ted Hughes.) The timeline is difficult to follow, since each chapter jumps back and forth between adolescence, separation, and divorce, but Sylvia's attempts to find her independence lend clarity to each scene. Ted is definitely the villain here, and Sylvia the victim, but it's hard to argue the point, after suicide attempts and shock therapy.

I found this book in a recycle dumpster outside of the library and picked it up because Sylvia Plath has fascinated me since the first time I heard about her and the gas oven.

It was hard to put down. Very well researched and written, and Kate Moses can phrase certain intangible emotions perfectly. I admit that I enjoyed the book for mostly personal reasons - my mild obsession with Plath, and having plodded miserably and antagonizingly through a relationship built on symbiotic compromise.

Other than that, the book ended in a weird spot. Syliva was almost on a high note...and while it is important to recognize the ups and downs of her emotions, it seems almost like a Disney movie injustice to leave off right there without examining what show more led to her ultimate breakdown. show less

A novel you must read twice. It made me cry, Sylvia alone and cold. It makes me want to know more about Sylvia the
Poet

Moses does an excellent job re-imagining the last months of Sylvia Plath's life.

Weird concept, a fictionalized telling of Plath's last year alive.