The Occult Sylvia Plath

Reviews

“If you think you know Plath, you are mistaken—this deep and extensively researched study provides a critical piece of the spiritual and supernatural forces that fueled Plath’s creative imagination.” “The Occult Sylvia Plath is the rarest of biographies: both a work of original groundbreaking scholarship and a page-turning narrative that carries the reader along on a captivating ride. Gordon-Bramer explores the little-known occult obsessions of the famed poet that other Plath biographers have largely ignored, using a revolutionary approach to deconstruct both her poetry and her troubled marriage to Ted Hughes. Whether you’re a Plath scholar or a casual reader, you won’t be able to stop reading until you reach the end.” “Julia Gordon-Bramer has established herself as one of the world’s leading authorities on both Sylvia Plath and tarot. Her latest book propels her talent to a higher realm as she shares incredible new insights into one of the world’s most elusive artists, poet Sylvia Plath. I applaud Gordon-Bramer for bringing Plath’s work to life through an expertly crafted biography that will keep Plath’s work alive for future generations. A fascinating read! I highly recommend this book to Sylvia Plath followers around the world and to those just discovering her work.” “A significant new addition to Plath biographies. The Occult Sylvia Plath takes a holistic approach to the various influences—from politics, religion, literature, and occult symbols—on the mystical elements of Plath’s life and art. Gordon-Bramer highlights that ‘magic, for Plath, was not faith’ but a ‘multidimensional mystical system of language,’ which is crucial in understanding the gravity of her poetry and the diverse sources that influenced her beliefs, life, and work.” “Gordon-Bramer’s research asserts itself as filling that gap previously untended in Plath scholarship, and she writes with flourish and passion. This is a Plath we need, and Gordon-Bramer’s work is to provide us with the lenses to see her more completely. Once you’ve seen the mystical Plath, you can’t unsee her.” “A vital, freewheeling journey through Plath’s esoteric path, a path that burned with white-hot intensity when she and Ted Hughes united. Written with the verve of a novelist and the sharp accuracy of an academic, this book dexterously traverses the occult influences that informed Plath’s creativity to offer thrilling new insight.” “This book is so much more than an in-depth look at the occult aspect of Sylvia Plath’s work. There is serious food for thought for anyone involved in metaphysics or in navigating dual creativity in a love relationship. If you’re curious about Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes start here. If you are a Plath fan this is a must-read.” “As if drawing aside a veil Gordon-Bramer reveals a world of esoteric correspondences in the works of Sylvia Plath with both the rigor of academic training and the comprehension only personal experience of the occult can provide. This book provides keys to deeper meanings and enlightening context.” “To this detailed retelling of Sylvia Plath’s life, Gordon-Bramer brings her expertise in spiritualism to provide new insights on the central role of the occult in Plath’s major writings.” “Fascinating story of a great artist at work, rearranging life in accordance with mystical schema, before triumphantly striking the alchemical ‘fat gold’ of the Ariel poems.” Expand reviews