Janet Malcolm’s The Silent Woman: Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes offers a meticulously researched and deeply analytical exploration of the complex and often contentious legacy of one of literature’s most famous couples. Through a blend of biography, literary criticism, and investigative journalism, Malcolm interrogates the narratives surrounding Plath’s tragic life and death, as well as Hughes’s role in shaping her posthumous reputation. The book scrutinizes the myth-making processes that have enshrined both figures in cultural memory, revealing the intricate interplay of truth, interpretation, and bias. This sophisticated examination challenges readers to reconsider the stories told about Plath and Hughes, making it an essential read for those interested in literary history and the politics of artistic legacies.
Janet Malcolm’s The Silent Woman: Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes offers a meticulously researched and deeply analytical exploration of the complex and often contentious legacy of one of literature’s most famous couples. Through a blend of biography, literary criticism, and investigative journalism, Malcolm interrogates the narratives surrounding Plath’s tragic life and death, as well as Hughes’s role in shaping her posthumous reputation. The book scrutinizes the myth-making processes that have enshrined both figures in cultural memory, revealing the intricate interplay of truth, interpretation, and bias. This sophisticated examination challenges readers to reconsider the stories told about Plath and Hughes, making it an essential read for those interested in literary history and the politics of artistic legacies.
Granta 2005 softcover first edition. Name inscribed inside and some slight foxing to pages, otherwise copy is in very good condition, and clean internally/externally
