Book Reviews: Sputnik Sweetheart & The Bell Jar

Today I'm reviewing (read: babbling about) The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath and Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami. If you're uncomfortable with the topics of suicide or depression, consider skipping The Bell Jar review. Otherwise, hope you enjoy!

Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

MUSIC
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

[ohemma]

i saw this video cuz im doing a book review myself and i really like the way you talk. calming and makes me wana read

[MarvelousReadingRoom]

This is such a great review Katie. I am even more pumped now to pick up Murakami.

[notesbynnenna]

You already know that I've decided I must read The Bell Jar! This one moved way up my TBR thanks to you. Beautiful review. Also, your hair is looking extra shiny and lovely to me in this video! :)

[SanaaStoriaYT]

I have yet to read any Murakami, but I have Hardboiled Wonderland and the End of the World on my shelf right now. I think I may have to pick it up soon. I'm a bit intimidated because everyone loves him so much, and he is actually one of my friend's favorite authors. So much pressure! But you reviews of both of these books were great! Honestly sometimes I would rather know reviews' opinions on who the book would appeal to as opposed to a literary review because someone out there is bound to love a book you have possibly hated etc. But yup. Great reviews :D

[danidanydanieee]

I read The Bell Jar recently as well. I loved it so much. I liked what you said about it because that is absolutely true. I know a lot of people bad mouth this book because they think it is an exaggeration of depression or that Esther (and in turn, Plath) didn't have a "reason" to be depressed but I completely disagree. Anyway, great reviews! 

[tainalopez]

My first Murakami was Norwegian Wood (do read it!-do not watch the movie ever), and I will hopefully be receiving Sputnik for my birthday next month! Woohoo! And oh gosh The Bell Jar is like one very long beautifully written poem. I plan to get my first literary tattoo from that book.

[joreadsbooks]

Great reviews.  I own The Bell Jar but didn't really know what it was about- I buy my books used, when I see an author I want to read I pick up the book. Now I want to read it right away!  I also struggle and hearing you say you felt like she understood you- that's how I want to feel.  Like someone understands.  So many don't. 

[BooksWaffles]

Magic realism yay! I need to check it out!

[hoppip]

I watched this video because I'm reading "Sputnik..." right now and I'm practicing with English because I'm taking the TOEFL test in a few months, so the way you talk, the words you used and your ideas have been a very good practice :). Thanks!

[Jaikney]

The Bell Jar The Bell Jar The Bell Jar!!

First of all, I'm sorry to hear that you've experienced issues with depression and anxiety. But you seem to be quite happy now. :> A minor silver lining is that it does allow you to forge a special link with The Bell Jar as a novel.

It was an important book for me in the sense that it was the completion of my own mental tribulations. I read The Catcher in the Rye around the time that I began to think something was wrong, and in reading The Bell Jar around a year later I'd begun to understand and accept myself a little more. It was very important to find understanding voices in literature, as someone with a form of OCD that is most easily described as a literal waking nightmare sans the help of medication.

While I haven't really looked into many reviews of The Bell Jar, I can imagine that some might criticise it for ostensibly romanticising suicide, though for me it had quite the opposite effect. Nor do I think Esther particularly wants to commit suicide. The narrative style, with its dark humour abounding, portrays her suicidal thoughts (at least in my interpretation) as merely Things That Happen. She is being dragged in that direction, without any especial will or control in the matter. That's not to say, however, that her attempts to end her own life are emotionless: it's simultaneously raw to the reader that she wants that dull thudding pain to stop.

I found the ending very revealing, knowing what was to come in Plath's life. I think she tried her best to have it end happily, but all she can managed is a neutral ending masked as vague optimism. Yes, she seems to clamber out of her predicament, but we don't know whether or not she even wants to. Her being released to the world is just another Thing That Happens.

Oh. And you worried that you babbled! x

[WandatheBrave]

I also tried to read The Bell Jar in early high school but couldn't get into it...(probably a good thing)... now having experienced anxiety and depression on a larger scale, I will have to give it another try! :)

[MindyReadsBooks]

Great reviews. I really really really want to read The Bell Jar like right now, but I'm trying to get a decent way into The Fall of Hyperion before starting something new. But then again, it's so short I could probably read it in one or two sittings. Ahhh!! Decisions!
I haven't read any Murakami, but have heard amazing things. If I ever see one of his books for super cheap, I probably pick it up. I don't know why, but I haven't heard anything that makes me feel compelled to read him yet.

[thuntz]

Both of these are in my tbr list. I really enjoy your videos ^_^ I haven't read any Murakami and I'm not sure where to begin. Thanks for encouraging us to read him btw. I do find myself a little bit scared of his books, and I really don't know why. The bell jar sounds marvelous... Did you find it affected your mood?

Xoxos from Venezuela!

[chocogirl]

Sputnik Sweetheart was my first Murakami too. The rest is definitely weirder though;) Except for Norwegian Wood, which is his most realistic novel (though still pretty odd). Anyway, I've been wanting to read the Bell Jar for years but was also a bit scared that it would freak me out or be too depressing. I don't know… might still pick it up though.

[librarystacks]

I've dealt with clinical depression for several years now, and I felt the same way when I read The Bell Jar. I couldn't believe that someone experienced exactly the same thing as me. 

[WandatheBrave]

I loved Sputnik Sweetheart!!!  Murakami described his writing process as lots of details and descriptions in the beginning, so he writes and writes, and then he just finishes them.  It's one of the reasons a lot of his books tend to have abrupt endings.  I actually just posted a video of TBR books myself, including some Murakami that I'm really enjoying.  If you liked Sputnik Sweetheart you will LOVE 1Q84 (I'm reading it right now), and possibly Norwegian Wood (it's just as "weird" :D)

[JenTalksAudiobooks]

I've always shied away from The Bell Jar specifically because I have an ongoing problem with depression - my brain chemicals just don't work properly and need help (which I have, totally changed my life about 15 years ago - who knew a migraine drug could help keep me from falling into the black pit of despair?  I'll take it!)  When I read stories like that one, I tend to feel the pull downward as opposed to feeling as if I understand the author/she understands me.  I don't know that I'll pick this one up, but maybe I'll flip thru it at the library.  Uncertain territory.
Murakami makes me want to run away.  I know everyone loves him but he's so out there - I don't know.  Might make my brain work too hard.  He's like real food and you know how I like all that YA junk food.  Again, maybe at some point . . . 
And what are you talking about, you can't form coherent sentences!  I loved these reviews!  If this is babbling then I'm REALLY in trouble . . . 

[MrK.A]

Loving the glasses...where did you buy them?