It is sixty years since Ariel was first published. This heritage edition restores Berthold Wolpe's iconic jacket and reproduces the original distinctive typesetting in celebration of the enduring importance of a collection that contains many of Sylvia Plath's best-known poems. Written in an extraordinary burst of creativity just before her death in 1963, the poems are as expressive of joy as they are of desolation. The remarkable combination of artistry and intensity that was recognised on this volume's first publication established Plath as one of the most original and gifted poets of the twentieth century. 'If the poems are despairing, vengeful and destructive, they are at the same time tender, open to things, and also unusually clever, sardonic, hardminded. . . They are works of great artistic purity and, despite all the nihilism, great generosity. . . the book is a major literary event.' A. Alvarez, Observer
Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath was an American poet, novelist, and short story writer known for her confessional style and exploration of themes such as mental illness, gender roles, and the complexities of human relationships. Her most notable works include the semi-autobiographical novel "The Bell Jar" and the poetry collection "Ariel," which was published posthumously.
Plath's writing is characterized by its raw emotion, vivid imagery, and unflinching honesty. She is credited with helping to redefine the genre of confessional poetry and has had a lasting impact on subsequent generations of writers.
Plath's most famous work is arguably her poem "Daddy," which delves into her complex relationship with her father and themes of power, control, and liberation. Despite her tragic death by suicide at the age of 30, Sylvia Plath's literary legacy continues to inspire and resonate with readers around the world.