A haunting and poignant read, this work by Alexander is truly captivating.

He compassionately pieces together the various aspects of Plath's life, delving deep into both her personal and professional realms.

We are taken on a journey through Plath's joys and sorrows, her triumphs and failures.

Alexander's meticulous research and empathetic approach bring Plath's story to life in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

We see the complex woman behind the poetry, the struggles she faced, and the indomitable spirit that drove her.

This book is not just a biography; it is a tribute to a remarkable artist and a testament to the power of the human spirit.

It leaves us with a greater understanding and appreciation of Plath's life and work, and a sense of the profound impact she had on the literary world.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in the life and times of Sylvia Plath.

Ever since I read "The Bell Jar" - one of the most exquisitely written books I've ever had the pleasure of encountering - my interest in Sylvia Plath has been piqued.

I truly appreciate the fact that the writer refrained from using quotes from her works. This was likely due to his reluctance to seek approval for his writing from Ted Hughes' estate.

However, at times, the reading experience was somewhat tedious. It felt as if the author was simply chronicling her life events directly from her calendar. For instance, statements like "On Monday she had lunch with X, on Tuesday she gardened" became rather repetitive.

Nonetheless, the book does manage to present the facts of her life and offer some insights into the "whys". But I couldn't help but feel that something was lacking. The depth that her own writing would have brought was absent.

Throughout the reading, I found myself constantly wondering what was missing and what the complete picture truly was. I suppose the only way to gain a deeper understanding is to read more of her poems.

Perhaps then, I will be able to fill in the gaps and see Sylvia Plath in all her complex glory.

There are so many Plath, Hughes and Plath-Hughes biographies available in the market.

It seems that everyone has their own take on the lives and works of these two literary giants.

However, finding a truly good biography can be a challenging task.

One needs to look for a biography that not only provides a detailed account of their lives but also offers a deep understanding of their literary contributions.

A good biography should be able to capture the essence of their relationship, the creative process that led to their masterpieces, and the impact they had on the literary world.

It should also be well-written, engaging, and free from biases.

Despite the abundance of biographies, I am still on the lookout for that one perfect biography that will satisfy my curiosity and give me a comprehensive understanding of Plath and Hughes.

Maybe it's out there waiting for me to discover.

Thorough sometimes at the point of irrelevance, Paul Alexander describes a life often remembered by how it ended.

He delves deep into the details, perhaps going beyond what is strictly necessary, but in doing so, he uncovers aspects of the life that might otherwise remain hidden.

The way he presents the story provides the context that those who love the work of Sylvia Plath so desperately want to know.

By exploring the events and circumstances that led up to the end, he gives readers a more complete understanding of the woman behind the words.

It is through his thoroughness, even when it seems to verge on the irrelevant, that we are able to gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity of Sylvia Plath's life and work.

His description allows us to see beyond the tragic ending and into the many facets of a life that was filled with both joy and pain, creativity and struggle.

In this way, Paul Alexander's work becomes an essential addition to the body of literature surrounding Sylvia Plath, providing a valuable perspective that enriches our understanding of her and her contributions.

Out of all the biographies written about Sylvia Plath, this particular one stands out.

It is one of the rare ones that has been crafted without relying on source material that was under the control of Ted and Olwyn Hughes, who were the executors of Plath's estate.

This fact gives this biography a unique perspective and perhaps a more objective look at the life and work of Sylvia Plath.

By not being influenced by the biases or preferences of the Hughes family, the author has been able to present a more comprehensive and accurate account of Plath's experiences, her struggles, and her achievements.

Readers can expect to gain a deeper understanding of the woman behind the poetry, and to see her life through a different lens.

This biography offers a fresh and valuable contribution to the body of work on Sylvia Plath, and is a must-read for anyone interested in her life and art.

When I read this book, I was completely obsessed about the destroyed journals.

It was as if a mystery loomed over those vanished records, captivating my imagination.

Now that I'm older, however, I have gained a new perspective and understand why they were destroyed.

Perhaps there were secrets within those journals that were too dangerous or personal to be revealed.

Maybe the destruction was a means of protecting someone or something.

As I reflect on this, I realize that sometimes, things are better left hidden.

The mystery of the destroyed journals still lingers in my mind, but now I can appreciate the possible reasons behind their disappearance.

It makes me wonder what other hidden stories and secrets lie within the pages of history.

I vividly remember reading this particular piece back at the turn of the century. At that time, my initial reaction was rather lackluster, and I simply thought, "meh".

Fast forward to 2003, and I find myself wondering why on earth they decided to reprint it. One possible explanation could be that perhaps everybody had thrown their original copies away, and they wanted to ensure that there were at least a few remaining for the sake of posterity.

However, in my opinion, this reprint seems to be a disservice to the troubled soul of Sylvia Plath. Her works are so profound and meaningful, and this particular piece, in my view, doesn't do justice to her true genius and the depth of her emotions. It's a pity that it was reprinted, as it might give a false impression of her body of work to those who are new to her writings.

Overall, I believe that more care should have been taken in selecting which of her works to reprint, in order to truly honor and preserve the legacy of this remarkable poet.

I was truly impressed by the sheer magnitude of exhaustive research that the author had undertaken.

The decision to omit direct quotes, in my opinion, was the most significant "up yours" to the estate (and Hughes by extension) that could ever be given, and I deeply respect that choice.

The book did an excellent job of shattering any adolescent notions I had of Sylvia Plath from my much earlier years as simply a victim - both of life and mental illness.

What I additionally liked was that Sylvia Plath's death was not infused with some sort of biased meaning, despite the fact that many have felt free to do so.

I did find the social engagements and the listing of every mundane detail a bit tedious, but without quotes from her journals, it was perhaps the only way to convey how she lived.

Overall, it is a well-rounded biography that provides a comprehensive and nuanced look at the life of Sylvia Plath.

This bio did an outstanding job of shining a light on Sylvia's life.

She was not only a person with a rich inner world but also a dedicated student, a loving daughter, a committed wife, a caring mother, a loyal friend, and a passionate writer and poet.

The bio delved deep into each aspect of her life, revealing the joys, sorrows, and challenges she faced.

It was truly enlightening to learn about her journey and how she overcame obstacles to pursue her dreams.

At the same time, it was heart-wrenching to see the pain and struggles she endured.

Overall, I found this bio to be a captivating and moving read, and I loved every moment of it.

It made me appreciate Sylvia's life and work even more and left me with a profound sense of inspiration.

This is definitely an eye-opening piece of writing.

Although I do understand the bias that the author shows when Sylvia's mother is involved in the making.

And the unfair bashing of Ted Hughes is also quite evident.

However, despite these flaws, it is still definitely a good read.

The article manages to capture the essence of the complex relationship between Sylvia Plath, her mother, and Ted Hughes.

It provides insights into their lives and the events that led to the tragic end of Sylvia Plath.

Even though the author's perspective may be somewhat one-sided, it still makes for an interesting and engaging read.

Overall, it is a thought-provoking article that leaves the reader with much to ponder.

I first delved into this book several years ago. At that time, I was just beginning to discover my profound fascination with Sylvia Plath and her captivating poetry. Eager to know more about her life, I turned to this biography. Truth be told, it is the sole biography of Sylvia that I have ever perused. And truly, as it is the only one untainted by Ted Hughes' control that I am aware of, it is likely the only one I will ever read. Perhaps this makes me somewhat biased. So be it. The fact that the author brought this work about by seeking the counsel of Sylvia's mother, Aurelia, only solidifies this for me. After all, Aurelia wouldn't be inclined to keep misdeeds muddled and hidden as Hughes was.

Frankly speaking, I envy the author for having the opportunity to get to know Plath through the eyes of her mother, both the good and the bad aspects. When I first read this book, I was deeply impressed by its honesty. This book, in my view, did not depict Sylvia as some sort of angel. Instead, I could sense the author's love for her even as he recounted the events of Sylvia's life with a refreshing objectivity.

Which is precisely why I shake my head when I come across the harshly negative comments about this book. To each their own, of course. But my personal opinion is that this book satisfies the curiosity of anyone who loves Sylvia Plath enough to desire to know as much about her life as possible, rather than merely catering to the "peanut crunchers" who are mainly attracted to her because of her tragic suicide.

I firmly believe that this book does Sylvia Plath the justice and understanding that she deserved during her lifetime and still merits in death.

I truly liked this book, even though it is filled with profound sadness.

Sylvia Plath was an exceptionally brilliant poet. Her works are a testament to her extraordinary talent and unique perspective.

However, it is an incredibly tragic fact that she passed away at such a young age. Her untimely death has left a void in the literary world that is difficult to fill.

Despite the sadness that surrounds her life and work, her poetry continues to touch the hearts and minds of readers around the world. It serves as a reminder of the power of words and the importance of expressing our deepest emotions.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who appreciates great literature and wants to explore the complex and often tragic life of one of the most talented poets of our time.