Title
The Silent Woman: Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes,New
Processing time: 1-3 days
US Orders Ships in: 3-5 days
International Orders Ships in: 8-12 days
Return Policy: 15-days return on defective items
Payment Option
In an astonishing feat of literary detection, one of the most provocative critics of our time and the author of In the Freud Archives and The Purloined Clinic offers an elegantly reasoned meditation on the art of biography.'Among the most intellectually provocative of authors . . . able to turn epiphanies of perception into explosions of insight.'David Lehman, Boston GlobeIn The Silent Woman, Janet Malcolm examines the biographies of Sylvia Plath to create a book not about Plaths life but about her afterlife: how her estranged husband, the poet Ted Hughes, as executor of her estate, tried to serve two mastersPlaths art and his own need for privacy; and how it fell to his sister, Olwyn Hughes, as literary agent for the estate, to protect him by limiting access to Plaths work.Even as Malcolm brings her skepticism to bear on the claims of biography to present the truth about a life, a portrait of Sylvia Plath emerges that gives us a sense of knowing this tragic poet in a way we have never known her before. And she dispels forever the innocence with which most of us have approached the reading of any biography.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main focus of 'The Silent Woman'? A: 'The Silent Woman' primarily examines the biographies of Sylvia Plath, focusing on her afterlife and the complexities surrounding her legacy, particularly how her husband Ted Hughes navigated his role as her estate's executor.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The book is authored by Janet Malcolm, a renowned critic and writer known for her insightful perspectives on biography and literary criticism.
- Q: What themes are explored in 'The Silent Woman'? A: The themes explored include the nature of biography, the relationship between an artist's life and their work, and the tension between public and private narratives.
- Q: Is 'The Silent Woman' suitable for readers unfamiliar with Sylvia Plath? A: 'The Silent Woman' can be insightful for those unfamiliar with Sylvia Plath, as it provides context about her life and the literary debates surrounding her biography, although some prior knowledge of her work may enhance understanding.
- Q: What is the format and page count of the book? A: 'The Silent Woman' is available in paperback format and contains 229 pages, making it a manageable read for those interested in literary criticism.
- Q: When was 'The Silent Woman' published? A: 'The Silent Woman' was published on March 28, 1995, and has been influential in discussions about biography and literary ethics since its release.
- Q: What kind of readers would benefit from this book? A: Readers interested in literary criticism, biography, and the complexities of an artist's legacy will find 'The Silent Woman' to be a valuable and thought-provoking read.
- Q: Does the book provide a definitive answer about Sylvia Plath's life? A: 'The Silent Woman' does not aim to provide a definitive narrative of Sylvia Plath's life; instead, it critiques the genre of biography and explores the multifaceted representations of Plath's legacy.
- Q: Is there any specific literary style used in this book? A: Janet Malcolm employs a reflective and analytical literary style, combining rigorous criticism with narrative elements to engage readers in the complexities of biography.
- Q: What is the significance of the title 'The Silent Woman'? A: The title 'The Silent Woman' refers to the often-overlooked narratives of women in biography and the silence surrounding their stories, particularly in the context of Sylvia Plath's life and work.