Wintering, A Novel of Sylvia Plath, Kate Moses, St Martin's Press, 2003, 313 pp
After completing Sylvia Plath's final poetry collection, Ariel, in February, I wanted to know more about the woman. I discovered that I had this novel about her on my shelves. When I found a positive recommendation for it by Janet Fitch, it seemed a good place to start.
The novel covers mostly the last year of Plath's life with some backstory about earlier years. I found it to be breathtaking in writing style, almost as if Kate Moses were channeling Plath's poetry style into prose.
She covers many of the incidents in Plath's life that could have been the inspiration for the poems in Ariel. It was rewarding to read about those incidents, then turn to the poems and reread them. The chapter titles were also the poem titles. This was just what I wanted!
The Author's Note at the end of the novel convinced me that Kate Moses had done her Plath studies with diligence, consulting the major biographies as well as her journals. She gives the reader full disclosure on what was fact and what she imagined.
I also saw the 2003 movie, "Sylvia," starring Gwyneth Paltrow as Sylvia and a young Daniel Craig as Ted Hughes. Excellent acting, lovely cinematography but less satisfying than Kate Moses's novel.
Now on to an actual biography, after a short break. Spending too much time with Lady Lazarus is a bit hard on my own mental health.
I wasn't familiar with this one. I've only read NF about Plath.
ReplyDeleteHave you read a full book length biography? If so, which one and what did you think?
DeleteI'm so glad to hear that you liked this! I've been meaning to read this forever!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to it someday. It was so good!
DeleteGlad you enjoyed this book!
ReplyDeleteI was glad too!
DeleteA novel based on Sylvia Plath's life - what an interesting idea.
ReplyDeleteIt is the only one I know of and the writing was superb.
DeleteI really need to delve into Plath’s work. This sounds interesting. With that, I am always a bit wary of novel versions of people’s real life, even when the author has done a lot of research.
ReplyDeleteI also should see the film Sylvia.
Believe me, I was wary too, though she did win me over. Still I will read at least one of the real biographies.
DeleteHmm I hadn't heard of this one but it sounds good. What was going in Plath's mind -- I'll have to find out.
ReplyDeleteShe was one of those tortured genius types.
DeleteI need another recommendation: what's your favorite poetry collection by her?
ReplyDeleteI love being asked for recommendations! I have only read Ariel, her final collection and I do recommend it. Be prepared for some seriously dark stuff though.
DeleteSounds like this novel was an excellent companion to your project of going through her life in detail, as well as understanding her poetry. It's good that you liked the movie.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is an adventure into what makes a poet tick.
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