BOOK BRIEF

Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath

Heather Clark
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Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2020

Book Brief

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Heather Clark

Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2020
Book Details
Pages

1154

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Genre
Biography
Setting

England • 1950s-1960s

Theme
Language
Topic
Gender & Feminism

Mental Illness

World History
Publication Year

2020

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath by Heather Clark explores the life and literary contributions of poet Sylvia Plath. The biography delves into Plath's personal experiences, creative process, and the challenges she faced, offering a comprehensive view of her impact on literature and culture.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Emotional

Informative

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.7

5,182 ratings

92%

Loved it

6%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Heather Clark’s Red Comet is lauded for its meticulous research and depth, offering a nuanced portrayal of Sylvia Plath's life and work. Clark’s empathetic approach and extensive detail illuminate Plath beyond her tragic end, though some find the length daunting. Overall, it revitalizes interest in Plath with a balanced perspective on her artistry and struggles.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath?

A reader who enjoys Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath likely appreciates in-depth literary biographies and has an interest in 20th-century poetry. Similar readers may have enjoyed Virginia Woolf by Hermione Lee or The Silent Woman: Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes by Janet Malcolm.

4.7

5,182 ratings

92%

Loved it

6%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

Fun Facts

Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath by Heather Clark was a finalist for the 2021 Pulitzer Prize in Biography, highlighting its critical acclaim and impact in literary circles.

Heather Clark's biography is notable for its detailed research and reevaluation of Sylvia Plath's life, challenging the mythologized view of Plath as solely a tragic figure.

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The book draws from a wealth of previously untapped archival materials, including unpublished letters and manuscripts, providing new insights into Plath's creativity and personal struggles.

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Book Details
Pages

1154

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Genre
Biography
Setting

England • 1950s-1960s

Theme
Language
Topic
Gender & Feminism

Mental Illness

World History
Publication Year

2020

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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