for the past couple of months my depression has dragged me into a pretty major slump, life wise and reading wise 😭 I’ve just completely slowed down, and every time I try to read something new I just find it really difficult to get properly drawn in due to how disoriented my train of thought is. When I’m like this I tend to just be drawn to more melancholic pieces of media in general, finding that level of relatability, no matter how sad, can be somewhat comforting. Just a simple “these feelings and thoughts I have aren’t uncommon, a lot of people feel this way.. etc etc..”
The Bell Jar has been on my tbr for a very, very long time. I, being mainly a fantasy person, just didn’t really feel the need to pick it up. But, now I’m a depressed 19 y/o 😭. I’ve read the first couple of chapters, Plath’s writing is gorgeous for the most part. I just wanted to ask on here if it was a good idea? Have other people found the book relatable / a comfort when reading or is it something I should read when I’m in a better place mentally? Many thanks :,)
by According_Bat_8150
3 Comments
I read it while depressed and it didn’t make me any more depressed. If anything, it was relatable. However, I’ve heard people in my life who don’t struggle with depression thinking it was really sad. But for me I was like oh that’s my normal..
I’m similar to you where sad pieces of media are actually comforting/validate how I feel. I get more depressed consuming funny/happy/romantic media because it makes me feel like I’m missing something.
Anyway, if The Bell Jar becomes too much, just put it down and save it for later.
I don’t think the book will make you more depressed. It’s significantly more hopeful than her life was, if that helps at all (I can explain more but don’t want to spoil). And I think her ruminations on mental illness and how it relates to femininity/the feminine experience are just beautiful and stark. I read the book when I was feeling very unmoored at 21 and it changed my life… in part because I realized these feelings of inadequacy were so universal.
If it becomes too much, I would just save it for later.
I read it for the first time when I was depressed and it made me feel much worse. I appreciate it’s different for everyone and it’s a really good book