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Note: Augusten Burroughs will present his new book at Powell's City of Books on Sunday, April 28, at 2 p.m. Describe your latest book. This Is How... Continue »

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The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath

by Sylvia Plath

ISBN13: 9780385720250
ISBN10: 0385720254
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

First U.S. Publication

A major literary event--the complete, uncensored journals of Sylvia Plath, published in their entirety for the first time.

Sylvia Plath's journals were originally published in 1982 in a heavily abridged version authorized by Plath's husband, Ted Hughes. This new edition is an exact and complete transcription of the diaries Plath kept during the last twelve years of her life. Sixty percent of the book is material that has never before been made public, more fully revealing the intensity of the poet's personal and literary struggles, and providing fresh insight into both her frequent desperation and the bravery with which she faced down her demons. The complete Journals of Sylvia Plath is essential reading for all who have been moved and fascinated by Plath's life and work.

Description:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

About the Author

Karen V. Kukil is assistant curator of rare books at Smith College, with particular responsibility for supervising scholarly use of the Sylvia Plath Collection.

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Average customer rating based on 3 comments:

: banjolove, January 1, 2010 (view all comments by banjolove)
Amazing, beautiful, genius writing!
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: banjolove, January 1, 2010 (view all comments by banjolove)
Amazing, beautiful, genius writing!
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: claire.r.foster, February 22, 2007 (view all comments by claire.r.foster)
Although at face value, this book is only for serious Plathites, it soon unfolds into a more generous portrait of Plath's era for poetry. Over the course of twelve years, Plath's writing style changes significantly, mirroring her own advances in her craft. As she ages, and undergoes several serious life changes (admission to Cambridge, end of a love affair, hospitalization for suicide attempt, marriage), her journaling style changes similarly. The result is a written account of her life that becomes more terrifying and streamlined as it goes on -- the portrait of a frighteningly intelligent, hyper-aware, talented woman.

Of course, it is difficult to read The Unabridged Journals without an eye to the final tragedy. Readers with literary inclinations may find it heavy-handed, thematically. Plath often devotes pages and pages to "practice" and can describe scenes of nature at great length. However, this demonstrates her unconsciousness of her own significance. She is not a memoirist, and does not seek to place herself in a historical position. (In fact, this can be maddening; Plath omits important dates, names and events that any third-rate biographer would include.) This is much more a portrait of the evolution of Plath's work than of her persona. A few helpful notes from editor Karen Kukil ease reading, as well as extensive notes and a few journal fragments that are added as appendices.

This is a rich read, a total immersion into the mind of a shy but budding genius. The effect is not angsty, nor too self-indulgent, but a luscious portrait of an artist's coming-of-age.
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Product Details

ISBN:: 9780385720250
Editor:: Kukil, Karen V.
Author:: Kukil, Karen V.
Author:: PLATH, SYLVIA
Author:: Sylvia Plath edited by Karen V. Kukil
Publisher:: Anchor Books
Location:: New York :
Subject:: Literary
Subject:: Biography
Subject:: Women
Subject:: 20th century
Subject:: Poets, American
Subject:: Plath, sylvia, 1932-1963
Subject:: Poets, American -- 20th century.
Subject:: Plath, Sylvia
Subject:: Biography-Literary
Edition Description:: Trade paper
Abridged:: Y
Publication Date:: 20001031
Binding:: TRADE PAPER
Grade Level:: General/trade
Language:: English
Illustrations:: TWO 12-PAGE PHOTO SECTIONS
Pages:: 768
Dimensions:: 8 x 5.2 x 1.55 in 1.5625 lb

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Related Subjects

Biography » Literary
Biography » Women
Fiction and Poetry » Literature » A to Z
Fiction and Poetry » Poetry » A to Z

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