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Rough Magic: A Biography of Sylvia Plath

paul alexander

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Since her suicide at age thirty, Sylvia Plath (1932-1963) has been celebrated for her impeccable and ruthless poetry. Rough Magic probes the events of Plath's life, including her turbulent marriage to the poet Ted Hughes.

402 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1991

This edition

Format
402 pages, Paperback
Published
September 18, 2003 by Grand Central Publishing
ISBN
9780306812996
ASIN
0306812991
Language
English

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About the author

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paul alexander

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Besides the bestselling Kindle Singles Murdered, Accused, and Homicidal, Paul Alexander has published eight previous books of nonfiction: Ariel Ascending: Writings About Sylvia Plath; Rough Magic, a biography of Plath; Boulevard of Broken Dreams: The Life, Times, and Legend of James Dean, the bestseller that has been published in 10 countries; Death and Disaster: The Rise of the Warhol Empire and the Race For Andy's Millions; Man of the People: The Life of John McCain; The Candidate, a chronicle of John Kerry's presidential campaign; and Machiavelli's Shadow: The Rise and Fall of Karl Rove.

A former reporter for Time, Alexander has published journalism in The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, New York, The Nation, The Village Voice, Salon, Worth, The New York Observer, George, Cosmopolitan, More, Interview, ARTnews, Mirabella, Premiere, Out, The Advocate, Travel & Leisure, The Los Angeles Times Book Review, Biography, Men's Journal, Best Life, The New York Review of Books, The Daily Beast, and Rolling Stone.

Shane Salerno's forthcoming feature documentary Salinger is based on Alexander's biography of J.D. Salinger. Alexander is the author of the plays Strangers in the Land of Canaan and Edge, which he directed. Developed at The Actors Studio, Edge, the critically acclaimed one-woman play about Sylvia Plath, ran in New York, London, Los Angeles, among other cities. Edge toured Australia and New Zealand and enjoyed a second run in New York. In all, Torn performed Edge 400 times. Alexander is also the director of Brothers in Arms, a documentary film about John Kerry and Vietnam (First Run Features).

A graduate of The University of Alabama and The Writers' Workshop at The University of Iowa, Alexander is a member of the Authors Guild and PEN American Center. In the fall of 2002, he was a Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He lives in New York City.

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Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 68 votes)
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68 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Imperade
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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An impressively detailed biography that vividly presented Plath in various aspects of her life - as a student, a talented writer, a mature adult, a loving mother, and most significantly, as a simple woman with complex emotions. It is truly heart-wrenching to delve into the depths of this woman's psyche and understand the numerous struggles she endured throughout her lifetime. I had the opportunity to read this biography before (re)reading "Bell Jar", and I would highly recommend others to do the same.

By reading the biography first, one can gain a deeper understanding of Plath's personal experiences, which in turn enriches the reading of "Bell Jar". The biography provides valuable context and background information that helps to bring the characters and events in the novel to life.

I love you, Ms Plath. Your works have had a profound impact on me, and I will always be in awe of your talent and courage. I do, I do, I do.

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dabeliuteeh
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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One of the finest and most empathetic biographies penned about this remarkable poet. When it comes to Ted Hughes and their relationship, Alexander doesn't shy away from the events. Near the end, Alexander zeroes in on the factors that plunged Plath into the depression and despair she likely experienced while penning Ariel and that ultimately led to her tragic suicide. Alexander leaves no aspect unexplored in delving into her untimely death. Based on their interest in science, he hypothesizes in the book that Hughes might have hypnotized Plath, compelling her to take her own life. The two did engage in hypnotism, as Alexander writes, and according to him, Hughes and his lover at the time insinuated to Plath in the final weeks of her life that she should end her life. They moved into Plath's apartment, and she committed suicide just days later. Sometime after moving in, Hughes destroyed the journal Plath had maintained while writing many of her greatest poems. Even though Plath was only 31 when she passed away, her finest writing ranks among the best of the 20th century.

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ApacheSnow69
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The first book that truly provided me with a profound insight into and an excellent introduction to Sylvia Plath's life was an eye-opener.

It delved deep into the emotions of angst, loneliness, and despair that she seemed to constantly grapple with in her search for a redemptive love.

While I didn't have any favorite parts in particular, the overall narrative was so powerful that it left a lasting impression on me.

This book had a remarkable impact on me as it made me feel less alone. It was as if I could identify with Plath's struggles and emotions on some level, and that connection made me realize that I wasn't the only one going through difficult times.

It was a comforting and enlightening experience to read about her life and see how she managed to find meaning and purpose in the midst of all the chaos.

Overall, this book was a valuable read that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in learning more about Sylvia Plath or exploring the themes of love, loss, and self-discovery.
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Jdstaff
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I don't precisely remember when I first became completely fascinated with Sylvia Plath. It must have been fairly early in my college career, I think. It was likely somewhere in between the moment I discovered her profound and captivating poetry and the time when I delved into reading The Bell Jar.

This biography presented a truly touching yet brutally honest picture of her life. I've been painstakingly making my way through her journals for the past two years now. However, this biography offered a wonderful outside perspective that really brought to light just how human Sylvia was.

She was not just a literary icon but a complex individual with her own hopes, dreams, fears, and insecurities. I will forever hold her and her work in the highest regard and admiration. I firmly believe that she had an abundance of unspoken thoughts and emotions that she was just beginning to explore and express. Her untimely death was a great loss to the literary world, but her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
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waffler15
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is an awesome book for fans of Plath.

It offers a wealth of insights into the life of this amazing woman.

However, at times, the pacing can get a little slow.

Despite this minor drawback, it is still a must-read for those who are interested in Plath's life and work.

The author has done a great job of researching and presenting the details of Plath's life in an engaging and accessible way.

Whether you are a die-hard Plath fan or just someone who is curious about her, this book is sure to provide you with a deeper understanding of her as a person and an artist.

Overall, it is a great addition to any Plath collection and a book that you will want to read again and again.
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IoanaXM
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Reader Beware: You will be completely drawn into the captivating life and tragic demise that is the story of the remarkable poet, Sylvia Plath. A significant part of this is attributed to author Paul Alexander's remarkable skill in piecing together her history. It is evident that he dedicated countless hours, days, and even years to thorough research, which included numerous conversations with Ms. Plath's mother, Aurelia.

While it is tempting to lay the blame for Ms. Plath's tragic end solely on Ted Hughes, and Alexander does present some intriguing, if not incriminating, points regarding Ted's possible involvement (not necessarily through physical means, but perhaps through mental, hypnotic, and betraying actions), it is clear that she had serious mental health issues long before Ted entered her life. Additionally, her deep-seated belief that she was never good enough to succeed as a writer and poet constantly burdened her, despite her many achievements and publications during her lifetime.

Overall, Alexander does an outstanding job of revealing who Sylvia was and what her life was truly like. She was a fierce individual, a loving mother, a poetic genius, and truly one of a kind. This book was an absolute delight to read!

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Socal101
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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April 29, 2017, Saturday

It was a beautiful Saturday on April 29, 2017. The sun was shining brightly in the sky, casting a warm glow over everything. The birds were chirping merrily, as if celebrating the weekend. People were out and about, enjoying the pleasant weather. Some were taking walks in the park, breathing in the fresh air and admiring the blooming flowers. Others were having picnics with their families and friends, sharing delicious food and欢声笑语. The streets were filled with activity, with cars and buses passing by. It was a day full of life and energy, a day to remember.
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CChicken
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I was browsing through the shelves at HPB when I happened upon the 1999 reprint on sale.

Immediately, my interest was piqued as I have always been fascinated by anything related to Sylvia Plath.

Her works have a certain allure and depth that draw me in every time.

The thought of adding this particular reprint to my collection was exciting.

I could envision myself delving into her poems and stories, exploring the complex emotions and vivid imagery she so masterfully created.

It was as if this book was calling out to me, waiting for me to discover its hidden treasures.

Without hesitation, I picked it up and made my way to the checkout counter, eager to take it home and begin my literary journey with Sylvia Plath.
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