Sylvia Plath Books

Sylvia Plath (1932-1963) was one of the writers who defined the course of twentieth-century poetry. Her vivid, daring and complex poetry continues to captivate new generations of readers and writers. In the Letters, we discover the art of Plath's correspondence, most of which has never before been published and is here presented unabridged, without revision, so that she speaks directly in her own words. Refreshingly candid and offering intimate details of her personal life, Plath is playful, too, entertaining a wide range of addressees, including family, friends and professional contacts, with inimitable wit and verve. The letters document Plath's extraordinary literary development: the genesis of many poems, short and long fiction, and journalism. Her endeavour to publish in a variety of genres had mixed receptions, but she was never dissuaded. Through acceptance of her work, and rejection, Plath strove to stay true to her creative vision. Well-read and curious, she offers a fascinating commentary on contemporary culture. Leading Plath scholars Peter K. Steinberg and Karen V. Kukil, editor of The Journals of Sylvia Plath 1950-1962, provide comprehensive footnotes and an extensive index informed by their meticulous research. Alongside a selection of photographs and Plath's own line-drawings, the editors masterfully contextualise what the pages disclose. This selection of early correspondence marks the key moments of Plath's adolescence, including childhood hobbies and high school boyfriends; her successful but turbulent undergraduate years at Smith College; the move to England and Cambridge University; and her meeting and marrying Ted Hughes, including a trove of unseen letters post-honeymoon, revealing their extraordinary creative partnership.

The second volume of this landmark edition of Sylvia Plath's correspondence.

Contains all Sylvia Plath's mature poetry written from 1956 up to her death in 1963.

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. Written in electrifying prose, The Journals of Sylvia Plath provide unique insight, and are essential reading for all those who have been moved and fascinated by Plath’s life and work.

The collection showcases the powerful and poignant verse of a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, known for her intense emotional depth and artistic brilliance. Through brutally honest self-exploration, the poems—such as "Lady Lazarus" and "Daddy"—reflect personal tragedy while resonating with universal themes. Plath's work continues to shape contemporary poetry, leaving a lasting impact with its raw intensity and vivid imagery.

Sylvia Plath's letters, primarily to her mother, span from her time at Smith College in the early 1950s to her suicide in 1963. They reveal her ability for both domestic joy and literary fulfillment, while also hinting at her profound despair.

Upon the publication of her posthumous volume of poetry Ariel in 1965, Sylvia Plath became a household name. Readers may be surprised to learn that the draft of Ariel left behind by Plath when she died in 1963 is different from the volume of poetry eventually published to worldwide acclaim. This is a facsimile edition of her original draft.

Re-issue of Malcolm's revelatory biography of the tumultous union of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes, and the critical battle that dogs their legacies.

Highlighting the work of a pivotal figure in 20th-century literature, this collection showcases Sylvia Plath's powerful and evocative poetry. It captures her unique voice and explores themes of identity, mental health, and the complexities of human experience, making it essential for both poetry enthusiasts and those new to her work.

York Notes are guides to literature in English, covering major British, American, Commonwealth and Third World works as well as English translations of some important writings in other languages.