Sylvia Plath

Greenwood Biographies

by Connie Ann Kirk

The brief life and meteoric career of Sylvia Plath have been the subject of fascination since her suicide in 1963 at age thirty. This concise, well-researched biography for young adults recounts the facts of her troubled life based on the latest updated research. Biographer Connie Ann Kirk has consulted the Plath archives at Smith College and the University of Indiana--Bloomington, as well as Plath's unabridged journals published in 2000. She has also interviewed a Plath contemporary who knew her.
What emerges is a balanced portrait that takes a neutral stance between the divided factions in the blame game surrounding her suicide. Kirk describes the outrage directed against Plath's estranged husband, Ted Hughes. Many accused him, not only of causing her death because of his philandering, but also of heavy-handed editing of her posthumous work. But Kirk notes that others have attributed her tragic end mainly to deep-seated psychological factors over which she and those close to her had little her lifelong battle with depression; her difficult relationship with her parents, especially her father; and the pressures of balancing a literary career with the roles of wife and mother.
This excellent, very readable biography includes photographs, a timeline, a family tree, a list of books in Sylvia Plath's personal library, and a bibliography of works by and about her.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

166 pages, Paperback

First published December 30, 2004

About the author

Connie Ann Kirk is an American author. Her books cover a range of subjects including concise literary biographies for students, bio-critical literary studies, and references. She has also written a fiction picture book for children. Her articles, both in print and online, address topics in literature, poetry, popular culture, history, education, art, television, science, sports, and film.

Reviews

[Ely · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew most of this already, but the best thing by far was the fact this includes a list of some of the books Sylvia Plath owned. Guess who has a new reading challenge?

[Eve Kay]

Reading slump, got to page 43

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew almost nothing about Sylvia Plath until I finished her wonderful semi-autobiographical novel, The Bell Jar a couple of months ago.

This biography could definitely have been expanded in parts, but overall it gives a clear picture of the woman who hurt so much inside that she ended her life at the age of thirty.

Plath's novel and this biography as well have spoken to me and moved me so much; I know what it is to be at the brink of that precipice and it's the scariest, loneliest feeling there is. In fact, a few years ago, I wasn't sure if I would see my 30th birthday.

But, despite having been depressed again recently, I'm in a good place now and can look at Plath's sad, short life as a bitter waste. She had so much talent and was so intelligent, but she pushed herself too hard and struggled with feelings of rejection all her life.

It's so sad that she didn't live to see the success she so deserved; if she had held on a while longer, who knows?

Life can be hard and when the mean reds come, it can feel intense, but these feelings are only temporary and life is mostly amazing. As I type this, I'm sitting on a rock at Port Soif, with my boyfriend cooking burgers next to me as I enjoy the sun's slow descent. Bliss.

[Michelle Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I began reading this book I did look at the reviews here. With that being said, I am surprised by the sentiments. I will review this book as the book it was designed for - YA literature as explained in the forward.

Being a librarian and sometimes high school sub I was very excited to read a volume of this set of biographies for the teen student. It did not disappoint. I found the flow to be very engaging. I could not put it down. I found the intent for secondary education purposes to be awesome. This book treats the teen reader like a reader. It does not pander to them. It does not whitewash anything. I love the raw facts, the interwoven era of back-then and today with regards to mental health. It has it all from family dynamics, feminism, sexuality, publishers, family interference, child care and human dynamics. The reading list is exceptional. The forward and timeline had me hooked.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-written introduction to Plath, complete with appendices and bibliography. I was surprised to find it so engaging. I did wonder, however, why not a single one of her poems was included. Many titles were mentioned, but an example poem would have been appreciated.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good "intro" biography to the life of Sylvia Plath with probably a middle or high school audience in mind. The book makes a point to try and be impartial and non-judgmental throughout.

[Aniela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative but still interesting

[Rachel Thomas]

The authors purpose in the book was to tell Sylvia's life story; to just make her storey be heard. The theme of the book is to follow your dreams and pursue hat you want to do in life; in Sylvia's case to be a poet. Which she was a very good poet in the time of 1963. She was what they called a cultural icon. She became more popular at the age of 30. The style the book was written in was a biography. Which is someon else telling someones life experience and story. My opinion of the book was good; I like biographys because I like reading about other people life expirences and what They went throught. Although at times it was boring it was a very good book.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting biography. There were many interesting excerpts from Plath's private journals that offered a unique look into her private turmoil, mixed with glimpses of her happiness. At times it was hard to keep up with all the names and the friends that were spoken about, and at some points parts of the chapter became a little dry. If you enjoy Plath's work, this let's you see her thoughts behind many of her poems and The Bell Jar. It's a good read, and I encourage any one who likes Plath to give it a read.

[b (tobias forge's version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, factual, unbiased, relatively without frill but containing a few moments that made me wonder how wild the first draft might have been. Kirk finger-wags about getting wrapped up in the sensationalism of Plath's life, then concludes her chapters with foreboding cliffhangers. Surprisingly engaging.

[Ksenija · Rating 2 out of 5]

A detailed account of Plath's life, written in pretty lame language. Good for the facts and not much more...but I'im fascinated with Plath's life, works and death, so I guess this is a decent start.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read short book based on the facts currently known. Very unbiased and objective look at a dramatic life