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Crossing the Water

sylvia plath

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To this day, Sylvia Plath's writings continue to inspire and provoke. Her only published novel, The Bell Jar, remains a classic of American literature, and The Colossus (1960), Ariel (1965), Crossing the Water (1971), Winter Trees (1971), and The Collected Poems (1981) have placed her among this century's essential American poets. Sylvia Plath was born on October 27, 1932, the first child of Aurelia and Otto Plath. When Sylvia was eight years old, her father died—an event that would haunt her remaining years—and the family moved to the college town of Wellesley. By high school, Plath's talents were firmly established; in fact, her first published poem had appeared when she was eight. In 1950, she entered Smith College, where she excelled academically and continued to write; and in 1951 she won Mademoiselle magazine's fiction contest. Her experiences during the summer of 1953—as a guest editor at Mademoiselle in New York City and in deepening depression back home—provided the basis for The Bell Jar. Near that summer's end, Plath nearly succeeded in killing herself. After therapy and electroshock, however, she resumed her academic and literary endeavors. Plath graduated from Smith in 1955 and, as a Fulbright Scholar, entered Newnham College, in Cambridge, England, where she met the British poet, Ted Hughes. They were married a year later. After a two-year tenure on the Smith College faculty and a brief stint in Boston, Plath and Hughes returned to England, where their two children were born. Plath had been successful in placing poems in several prestigious magazines, but suffered repeated rejection in her attempts to place a first book. The Colossus appeared inEngland, however, in the fall of 1960, and the publisher, William Heinemann, also bought her first novel. By June 1962, she had begun the poems that eventually appeared in Ariel. Later that year, separated from Hughes, Plath immersed herself in caring for her children, completing The Bell Jar, and writing poems at a breathtaking pace. A few days before Christmas 1962, she moved with the children to a London flat. By the time The Bell Jar was published under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas, in early 1963, she was in desperate circumstances. Her marriage was over, she and her children were ill, and the winter was the coldest in a century. Early on the morning of February 11, Plath turned on the cooking gas and killed herself. Plath was posthumously awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1982 for her Collected Poems.

0 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1,1971

This edition

Format
0 pages, Hardcover
Published
January 1, 1971 by Borgo Pr
ISBN
9780809590582
ASIN
0809590581
Language
English

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sylvia plath

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Sylvia Plath was an American poet, novelist, and short story writer. Known primarily for her poetry, Plath also wrote a semi-autobiographical novel, The Bell Jar, under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas. The book's protagonist, Esther Greenwood, is a bright, ambitious student at Smith College who begins to experience a mental breakdown while interning for a fashion magazine in New York. The plot parallels Plath's experience interning at Mademoiselle magazine and subsequent mental breakdown and suicide attempt.

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Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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thasjiaozii
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I have an extremely deep love for this woman's writing. It truly has the power to make me feel inspired and validated. There is simply no one else quite like her.

However, it is incredibly difficult being a Sylvia Plath enjoyer when Sylvia Plath herself is rather questionable. For instance, right from the start of this book, she uses the damn f slur, and it's not even the first time. Like, come on girl!

You don't get a free pass just because it was the 1960s and you were a privileged white woman. We need to hold her accountable for her words and actions, even if her writing is otherwise brilliant. It's a complex and often uncomfortable situation, but one that we can't ignore.
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chaeronea
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Crossing the Water is a collection that, on the whole, has its merits.

While some of the poems within it didn't truly strike a chord with me, there were indeed several that I found great pleasure in.

The collection offers a diverse range of themes and styles, which is both its strength and perhaps a bit of a challenge.

Some of the poems are deeply emotional and thought-provoking, while others may seem a bit more abstract or less accessible.

However, this variety allows for different readers to find something that speaks to them.

Overall, Crossing the Water is a collection that is worth exploring, even if not every poem will be to everyone's taste.

It has the potential to offer unique insights and experiences, and it's interesting to see how the different poems interact and build upon each other.

Whether you're a seasoned poetry reader or new to the genre, Crossing the Water may have something to offer you.

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Zaleww
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Published posthumously in 1971 by her estranged husband, the poet Ted Hughes, Sylvia Plath’s Crossing the Water is a remarkable collection of poems. It showcases Plath in a state of transition and methodical exploration.

Most of the poems were penned in 1960 and 1961, following the initial publication of The Colossus and preceding the writing of the renowned Ariel poems. A significant number of these poems appeared individually in esteemed publications such as The New Yorker, Harper’s Magazine, and the Hudson Review.

Titled after the last poem in the collection, Crossing the Water symbolizes the literal act of doing so. Some poems are filled with risk and excitement, like being caught in an undertow, while others are as placid and expansive as a lake at dawn.

Plath’s most powerful poems center around the individual in relation to and at the mercy of the natural world. Elements like rocks, sheep, blackberries, trees, spiders, and the sea are all赋予生命. Their perception of the speaker is as crucial as the speaker’s perception of them. They pose a threat of erasure to her.

In “Two Campers in Cloud Country,” Plath vividly describes the all-encompassing and indifferent scenery of Rock Lake, Canada, as it consumes her sense of self. The poem expresses a paradoxical pleasure in the effacement of the self, yet also a growing anxiety as nature obliterates the ego.

Personification is a figure of speech that Plath employs perhaps even more frequently than the simile in this collection. Rocks hold grudges, daylight resembles disease, blackberries become the juicy eyes of a fly, and mirrors speak truthfully. In “Mirror,” the speaker is the object itself, and the poem展现出both tenderness and humor as it explores the relationship between the mirror and an aging woman.

However, the collection has its shortcomings. At times, when Plath deliberately experiments with form, as in “Metaphors,” the result can be clumsy. The poem’s disjointed images, held together solely by their linguistic properties, fail to achieve the intended ironic playfulness.

Nevertheless, after reading this collection, which was not arranged by Plath herself, one gains the impression that through these poems, she was in the process of finding her own poetic voice. There are glimpses of both the later genius of Ariel and the early timidity of The Colossus. Moreover, the collection highlights the often-ignored but uniquely important state of being in-between, with its strange contentedness, peculiar clarity of uncertainty, and the sense of being guided by the current from a safe, familiar shore to the exciting banks of the unknown.
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bangbangbangmal
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I truly love Sylvia Plath! Her poems have an extraordinary power that strikes a fundamental chord within me.

She delves into topics that are profoundly important to both me and my sense of self. For instance, the ocean, which holds a special place in my heart, is described by her in a way that precisely brings out the essence of why it is so significant to me.

When I read her works, I can easily recognize my own feelings and emotions. It's as if she has put into words what I have always struggled to express.

I have a particular affinity for the first few poems in this collection. They seem to set the tone and draw me in, making me eager to explore the rest of her beautiful and thought-provoking poetry.

Plath's writing is a source of inspiration and connection for me, and I will continue to cherish and study her works for years to come.
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deadoptimist
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is my very first encounter with Sylvia Plath's work.

To my great surprise and delight, all of these poems are written with such exquisite beauty!

Among them, my absolute favorites include "Face Lift", "Dark Hose", "A Life", "Witch Burning", "Widow", "Love Letter", "The Surgeon at 2 A.M.", and of course, the remarkable "Crossing the Water".

Each poem seems to offer a unique window into Plath's complex and profound mind.

I find myself completely captivated by her vivid imagery, powerful emotions, and masterful use of language.

After reading these poems, I am now eagerly looking forward to delving deeper into her body of work.

"Crossing the Water" truly stands out as a near-perfect collection of poems, leaving a lasting impression on my heart and mind.

I can't wait to discover more of the literary treasures that Plath has to offer.

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anime_hunter420
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Quite possibly my favorite book of poems by Sylvia Plath - and that is saying something as she is one of my favorite poets. This particular book speaks to me deeply in so many ways. The poem "Insomniac" is so personal for me, and it is crafted so beautifully. The way Plath describes the sleepless night, the thoughts that race through her mind, it's as if she is writing about my own experiences. Each word is carefully chosen, each line is a work of art. The emotions she conveys are raw and真实, and they touch my heart. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves poetry or who is looking for a way to express their own feelings. It is a masterpiece that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

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Taki-sama
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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She's one of the best to ever do it.

Her talent and dedication set her apart from the rest.

She has achieved remarkable feats in her field, leaving a lasting impact on those around her.

Her skills are honed to perfection, allowing her to perform with ease and grace.

Whether it's in the spotlight or behind the scenes, she always gives her all.

People look up to her as a role model, inspired by her determination and success.

She continues to push the boundaries and strive for excellence, never settling for mediocrity.

Her work is a testament to her passion and love for what she does.

In a world full of competition, she stands out as a true icon.

Her story is one that will be told and retold, inspiring generations to come.

She is truly one of a kind, and her legacy will live on forever.
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5kyanma
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Aaaaaaaaggggggghhhh!!!!!!!! Here are my favorites from this anthology:

1. "I Am Vertical" - This piece has a certain charm that draws me in. It seems to convey a sense of strength and stability in its simplicity. The title itself makes me imagine a person standing tall and firm, unwavering in the face of whatever comes their way.

2. "The Babysitters" - I'm intrigued by this one. It makes me wonder what kind of stories and experiences the babysitters have. Maybe there are heartwarming moments, or perhaps some unexpected challenges. I can't wait to explore this further.

3. "In Plaster" - The idea of being in plaster immediately brings to mind images of confinement and restriction. But I also sense that there might be a deeper meaning or message hidden within this piece. It makes me curious to see how the author will develop this concept.

4. "Mirror" - Mirrors are often used as a symbol of self-reflection and identity. I'm interested to see how the author uses this theme in their work. Will it be a positive or negative reflection? Will the mirror reveal something unexpected about the subject?

5. "Last Words" - This title has a certain finality to it. It makes me think about what someone might say in their last moments. Are these words of regret, or are they words of hope and love? I'm eager to find out.
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