Very interesting collection of poems. Having recently read the Bell Jar was curious to see her poetry and to see if there was any hints (especially in her later poems) of the depression that would consume her. I didn't see anything. ( )

She is one of my favorite poets. She is always in my memories when my thoughts are about poetry.
Her poetry continues to speak volumes on its own.
She has a singularity, which few writers have managed to achieve.
"In this particular tub, two knees jut up like icebergs, while minute brown hairs rise on arms and legs in a fringe of kelp; green soap navigates the tidal slosh of seas breaking on legendary beaches; in faith we shall board our imagined ship and wildly sail among sacred islands of the mad till death shatters the fabulous stars and make us real." ( )

An incredibly powerful poet, and well curated collection. Despite what I've seen from some other reviewers (no hard feelings) I loved the early work. It seems to me like some of the beginning poet are of a poet who is speaking more directly, in messy but powerful terms. Then there's a lagging stretch in the middle, as a more refined voice is being searched for. Of course the ending stretch, in 1962 and 1963, contains some of the most visceral poetry I've read. Plath isn't "just" a confessional poet; the incredible anger in much of her work has a powerful effect.

It's a phenomenal collection to dig through in chunks, I wouldn't recommend skimming simply because a lot of poems really don't land unless you allow it to command your attention. ( )

This was an intriguing and interesting collection of poetry. While many of them did not resonate with me, those that did were powerful and encompassing in their scope. Plath was a good poet, and she understood (and applied) her techniques and skill-set well. Who knows what she would have written had she not met her tragic fate.

3 stars- worth reading! ( )

I can’t tell you how exactly, but a high school boy discovered poetry through the perspective of a women’s despairing domestic life in the 50’s/60’s. The tone and description of brilliant mundanedeath images was the initial enticement. Beyond the subject matter, her form was an introduction and a revelation for me. “It doesn’t rhyme at the end of the lines and this is poetry!?” When it comes down to it, it’s the assonance and alliteration. They still influence me to this day. I return to some of these regularly and have an audiobook of her reading thepoems that really delivers. ( )