The Journals of Sylvia Plath

By Sylvia Plath | Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

About the book

The electrifying diaries that are essential reading for anyone moved and fascinated by the life and work of one of America's most acclaimed poets. 

Sylvia Plath began keeping a diary as a young child. By the time she was at Smith College, when this book begins, she had settled into a nearly daily routine with her journal, which was also a sourcebook for her writing. Plath once called her journal her “Sargasso,” her repository of imagination, “a litany of dreams, directives, and imperatives,” and in fact these pages contain the germs of most of her work. Plath’s ambitions as a writer were urgent and ultimately all-consuming, requiring of her a heat, a fantastic chaos, even a violence that burned straight through her. The intensity of this struggle is rendered in her journal with an unsparing clarity, revealing both the frequent desperation of her situation and the bravery with which she faced down her demons.

Editions of The Journals of Sylvia Plath

Paperback
ISBN 9780385493918
EBook
ISBN 9780307830395

Read an Excerpt

The electrifying diaries that are essential reading for anyone moved and fascinated by the life and work of one of America's most acclaimed poets. 

Sylvia Plath began keeping a diary as a young child. By the time she was at Smith College, when this book begins, she had settled into a nearly daily routine with her journal, which was also a sourcebook for her writing. Plath once called her journal her “Sargasso,” her repository of imagination, “a litany of dreams, directives, and imperatives,” and in fact these pages contain the germs of most of her work. Plath’s ambitions as a writer were urgent and ultimately all-consuming, requiring of her a heat, a fantastic chaos, even a violence that burned straight through her. The intensity of this struggle is rendered in her journal with an unsparing clarity, revealing both the frequent desperation of her situation and the bravery with which she faced down her demons.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Journals of Sylvia Plath about?

The electrifying diaries that are essential reading for anyone moved and fascinated by the life and work of one of America's most acclaimed poets. 

Sylvia Plath began keeping a diary as a young child. By the time she was at Smith College, when this book begins, she had settled into a nearly daily routine with her journal, which was also a sourcebook for her writing. Plath once called her journal her “Sargasso,” her repository of imagination, “a litany of dreams, directives, and imperatives,” and in fact these pages contain the germs of most of her work. Plath’s ambitions as a writer were urgent and ultimately all-consuming, requiring of her a heat, a fantastic chaos, even a violence that burned straight through her. The intensity of this struggle is rendered in her journal with an unsparing clarity, revealing both the frequent desperation of her situation and the bravery with which she faced down her demons.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Journals of Sylvia Plath?

Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Biography and non-fiction prose > Published diaries, letters and journals

Where can I read a sample of The Journals of Sylvia Plath?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780385493918

Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Journals of Sylvia Plath?

Sylvia Plath

Who is the Publisher of the book The Journals of Sylvia Plath?

Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

The Journals of Sylvia Plath is available as paperback(ISBN 9780385493918) and ebook(ISBN 9780307830395)

Where can I buy The Journals of Sylvia Plath online or support local independent bookshops?

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Where can I buy The Journals of Sylvia Plath?