Wintering: A Novel of Sylvia Plath by Kate Moses
A very lyrical look at Syliva, incredibly humanizing and sympathetic. One of the strengths of the novel is the use of chronology to provide background information artfully and when appropriate. While no fan of children in general, I did appreciate Moses’s depictions of Nicholas and Frieda. A definite must-read for Sylvia fans. Moses does not attempt to answer what happened between the end of December and February 11 when Sylvia committed suicide, other than explaining it was the coldest winter in London since 1740.
Sylvia and Ted by Emma Tennant
Proof positive that just because you sleep with someone one doesn’t make you qualified to write about him or her. Tennant’s novel falls flat, particularly compared to the glorious Wintering. I read this novelization first, expecting it to be the one of lesser quality based on Amazon.com reviews — and I wasn’t mistaken. (Yes, I just admitted reading it with a bias already in place. I never claimed to be objective.)
Special by Bella Bathurst
Bella Bathurst is a really cool name. Believe the hype: think The Facts of Life meets Lord of the Flies, with a side of sex and British slang. Since I’m impossibly addicted to the new Degrassi, without any good reason, it seemed an obvious choice. Oh, and I felt very vindicated when another reviewer brought up Picnic at Hanging Rock, another good companion piece.
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