I have an unwavering and eternal love for Plath. Sylvia Plath's works have had a profound impact on me. Her poetry is a powerful exploration of the human psyche, filled with raw emotions and deep insights. The way she expresses her thoughts and feelings through words is truly remarkable. Each line seems to cut through to the core of my being, making me feel understood and connected. Her struggles and her search for meaning in life resonate with me on a personal level. I am constantly inspired by her courage to face her demons and to put them into words. Plath's work is a testament to the power of art to heal and to transform. I will always cherish her words and the impact they have had on my life. I love Plath forever.

1 star, unfinished
I decided to give this book a try as I have an interest in poetry. However, I had to stop reading at page 10. I don't know why, but I've read various poems from throughout the book and I'm just not connecting with any of them. It's really a pity as I was hoping to find some beautiful and inspiring works. Maybe it's just not the right book for me at this time. I'm sorry that I couldn't get more out of it. I'll have to look for other poetry collections that might speak to me on a deeper level.

Overall, the experience was enjoyable, but not amazing. It had its moments of entertainment and satisfaction, yet it failed to truly wow or leave a lasting impression. There were aspects that were pleasant and engaging, but nothing that stood out as extraordinary. The activities or events that took place were fine, but perhaps lacked that extra sparkle or excitement to make it truly remarkable. It was a nice way to spend the time, but it didn't reach the level of being an unforgettable or mind-blowing experience. In conclusion, while it was enjoyable, it fell short of being amazing.

I read Plath's work slowly, deliberately pacing myself to soak in every nuance over a more extended period. However, it all hit me like a torrent of raw emotion, overwhelming and intense. Sylvia's writing has a way of adhering to you, much like humidity clings to the air.

It leaves an indelible mark, seeping into your consciousness and refusing to let go.

To conclude, I'll share with you the poem that had the most profound impact:

"My thoughts are crabbed and sallow,
My tears like vinegar,
Or the bitter blinking yellow
Of an acetic star.
Tonight the caustic wind, love,
Gossips late and soon,
And I wear the wry-faced pucker of
The sour lemon moon.
While like an early summer plum,
Puny, green, and tart,
Droops upon its wizened stem
My lean, unripened heart."

This poem encapsulates the essence of Plath's unique style and the depth of her emotions, inviting readers to explore the complex and often tumultuous world within her words.

As much as I am thoroughly enjoying delving into her unabridged journals, unfortunately, her poetry fails to capture my interest. I must admit that I find it rather boring for the most part. It's not until perhaps the final quarter that there is a glimmer of something more engaging. However, I do have to say that her poems about miscarriage are an exception. They possess a certain raw emotion and authenticity that really speak to me. But overall, when considering the entirety of her poetry collection, I would have to rate it as 2/5 stars, rounded down.

Perhaps it's a matter of personal taste, but I just couldn't seem to connect with the majority of her poems. The language felt平淡 and the themes didn't really resonate with me on a deep level. It's a shame, as I was really hoping to find something truly special in her work. But alas, it was not meant to be.

Nonetheless, I will continue to appreciate the value of her unabridged journals, which offer a fascinating glimpse into her life and thoughts. And who knows, maybe with time and further exploration, I will come to a better understanding and appreciation of her poetry.

Finally, I got Plath's poems into my hands, here in Marja-Leena Mikkola's skillful translations. It's deeply engaging, even thrilling poetry.

Trigger warning: The poem "Three Women" can trigger anxiety in matters related to childbirth and children. This collection of poems offers a unique perspective into Plath's mind and her creative genius. Each poem seems to tell a story, to express emotions that are both raw and profound. The translations by Mikkola do justice to the original works, capturing the essence and the beauty of Plath's words. Reading these poems is like embarking on a journey through a complex and often troubled landscape of the human psyche. It's a must-read for anyone who appreciates great poetry and wants to explore the depths of one of the most influential poets of the 20th century.

I have an extremely hard time rating anything by Sylvia Plath. Her writing is constantly depressing, a bit confusing, and to some extent, offensive.

I read T.S. Elliot’s Old Possum’s Book for Practical Cats and deducted a star due to the derogatory word used for Chinese in two of the poems.

Earlier this year, I read The Bell Jar and was astounded by the numerous times the word “negro” was employed to describe a black orderly at the hospital where Esther was sent. She even kicks the orderly at one point. Additionally, there was severe homophobia from the main character that led to another girl’s suicide.

Of course, during that era, such things were somewhat tolerated. This was the 1950s and 1960s, and segregation was still prevalent.

However, that doesn't make it any less difficult to read about.

In multiple poems, Sylvia utilizes dreadful terms as metaphors. Jew, the n-word, nazi, midget... African hands and the n-word are substitutes for the word “black” or darkness.

The poem Daddy, which I initially loved, I couldn't read aloud because of the frequency with which she says Jew.

I would also add a trigger warning here for suicide. I was always truly enraged to learn that Ted Hughes destroyed Sylvia’s last journal that she maintained before her death. It made me feel as if he was concealing something that indicated his culpability for her suicide.

But reading these poems in the chronological order of their composition, I understand. Many of these poems employ suicidal idolization.

These poems include:

- I am Vertical

- The Detective

- Childless Woman

- Lady Lazarus

- The Edge

If “The Edge” is indeed the last poem she wrote before she passed away, which I would need to double-check, but if it is, one could regard it as her suicide note.

I find that Sylvia Plath’s writing is overall just mediocre. There are some good poems, but a great many of them are tiresome to comprehend.

What I find fascinating is herself as a person. Also, I find it极其 disappointing that Mad Girl’s Love Song was not included in this collection.

Anyway, three stars.

Actual Rating: 4.6

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SYLVIA TE AMO

Sylvia, those three words hold a world of meaning for me.

Every time I see you, my heart skips a beat. Your smile is like a ray of sunshine that brightens up my day.

I can't help but think about you all the time. The way you walk, the way you talk, it all fascinates me.

I want to be with you, always. I want to hold your hand and tell you how much I care.

SYLVIA TE AMO, and I will never stop loving you.

You are the most important person in my life, and I will do everything to make you happy.

Sylvia Plath is an extremely perceptive poet, and this book truly embodies that. It is pure poetry.

What I appreciated was that the book was organized according to the years in which the different poems were composed. It gave the impression that I was living her life right beside her, experiencing the emotions she felt and thinking the thoughts that crossed her mind.

Each poem seemed to be a window into a specific moment of her existence, allowing the reader to peer in and gain a deeper understanding of her inner world.

The way Plath expressed herself through her words was both powerful and moving. Her use of language was masterful, painting vivid pictures and evoking strong emotions.

Reading this book was like going on a journey with Sylvia Plath, and it was a journey that I will not soon forget.

No, because every time I read a poem, I was like “OMG it’s about her dad” or “OMG it’s about Ted and/or his affair” or “OMG it’s about suicide ideation.” It seems that the author always focuses on these specific themes. However, I think she can write about other things as well. There are so many different aspects of life, emotions, and experiences that she could explore. It would be interesting to see her expand her creativity and branch out into new topics. Maybe she could write about nature, love, friendship, or even her own personal growth. By doing so, she would be able to reach a wider audience and offer a more diverse range of perspectives. I hope that in the future, she will consider writing about other things and show us the full extent of her talent.

Looking at the world through rose-tinted glasses is simply not enough. So, from time to time, I immerse myself in the borrowed genius of poetry. Sylvia Plath's poetry, in particular, makes an excellent tincture that lasts me for days.

For Plath, poetry was both a labor of love for writing, which she dedicated her life to honing, and a labor of pain. While suffering is not a necessary ingredient for great art, it does add a certain depth of perception and a unique standpoint. However, this is not to segue into a treatise on her suicide; that pain was hers alone. There is another kind of pain, heavily imbued, moving, and crystalline, that she left to the world. Her poems have jostled me, angered me, made me smile, and lent me warmth, verse after painstakingly metered (yet unfailingly emotive) verse. Most of her poems are not just about pain, as prominently as it may feature, but about childhood, motherhood, nature, happiness, jealousy, contemplation, and more. All of them are whole and should not be ill-judged by the singular part that pain represents. The woman truly knew how to distill sentiment by hand.

This excellent selection from Plath's oeuvre, curated by Diane Wood Middlebrook and consisting of her juvenilia and poems written between 1956 and 1963, is intensely representative of both the poet's artistry and her growth over the years. It includes the Bee Poems, the astounding Hospital Poems, and the rare verse play on childbirth traumas, titled Three Women, which Plath wrote and performed for BBC Radio 3 in 1962. It is widely known that 1962 was Plath's most productive year, described as the time when she was "brimming with poetry" and "writing non-stop." This volume truly puts it into perspective, with nearly 40% of the poems from that fateful year. Besides the more prominent poems like "Daddy," "Lady Lazarus," and "You're," my personal favorites here are the brilliant verse-play, "Suicide off Egg-rock," "I Am Vertical," "Elm," "Winter Trees," "Sheep In Fog," and "Edge."

I also cannot help but add a note on how physically delightful this edition is. It has a rich, simple yet ornate dust jacket, and the cover is embossed in gold, truly befitting the treasure inside.