Ariel

by Sylvia Plath
Ariel cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Poetry
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  • ID: 5964
  • Added: 2025-10-28
  • Updated: 2025-10-28
  • ISBN: 9780062669445
  • Publisher: HarperCollins
  • Published: 2016-11-15
  • Reviews: 3

Sylvia Plath's Ariel is a groundbreaking collection of poetry that revolutionized contemporary literature. This restored edition presents Plath's original manuscript, complete with her handwritten notes and the arrangement she intended for her readers. It also includes the complete working drafts of her famous poem 'Ariel,' offering a unique glimpse into her creative process. By restoring Plath's original vision, this edition alters her legacy and provides a more authentic understanding of her work. /n/n Ariel is not just a collection of poems but a testament to Plath's genius and the power of her confessional voice. The poems are original and startlingly accomplished, showcasing her unique style and depth of emotion. This edition is a must-read for poetry enthusiasts and those interested in the life and work of one of the most influential poets of the 20th century.

Reviews
Snow White Hates Apples · 2021-06-11
raw 3.75

The collection is described as angry, raw, and honest, with imagery and tonality that cut deep. It is a powerful and unflinching exploration of intense emotions.

The reviewer from Snow White Hates Apples describes Ariel as a collection that is both raw and deeply honest. They note that the poetry is filled with anger and intensity, which is conveyed through vivid imagery and a striking tonality. The review suggests that the collection is a powerful exploration of emotions that can be both painful and cathartic. The reviewer appreciates the unflinching nature of Plath's work, which they believe makes it a significant and impactful read.

Quick quotes

    Angry, raw and honest, so much so that it cuts deep and easily like a knife meeting no resistance.

    The imagery, the tonality, everything screams those three.

    It is a powerful and unflinching exploration of intense emotions.

The Guardian · 2014-12-03
profound 4.00

The book offers a deep insight into the poet's mind, showcasing poetry as one of the most expressive forms of writing. It is a profound exploration of the human psyche through verse.

The Guardian's review highlights how Ariel serves as a window into Sylvia Plath's inner world. They emphasize that poetry, as demonstrated in this collection, is a uniquely expressive art form. The review suggests that Plath's work is a powerful exploration of the human experience, capturing emotions and thoughts with remarkable depth and clarity. The collection is seen as a testament to the poet's ability to convey complex ideas and feelings through her verse, making it a significant contribution to literature.

Quick quotes

    The book is an insight into her mind, as I feel poetry is to every poet.

    Poetry is one of the most expressive forms of writing.

    It is a profound exploration of the human psyche through verse.

Literary Mama · 2009-11-11
beautiful 4.25

The collection is seen as a beautiful expression of rage, with a voice that is both vengeful and funny. It is a powerful and moving exploration of complex emotions.

Literary Mama's review highlights the beautiful and complex expression of rage found in Ariel. They describe Plath's voice as both vengeful and funny, with a tone that shifts from mournful to manic. The reviewer appreciates the emotional depth and complexity of the collection, which they believe makes it a powerful and moving read. They also note that the collection is a significant exploration of the human experience, capturing a range of emotions with remarkable skill and insight.

Quick quotes

    In Ariel, I saw rage as a thing of beauty, careening from mournful to manic and back again.

    Plath's voice by turns vengeful and funny, breaking and broken.

    It is a powerful and moving exploration of complex emotions.

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