It is the stuff of whisper, innuendo, and outright lies. Lee Kravetz has woven an intricate, what if of the late Sylvia Plath. Herself a subject of question and conspiracy. Her life a sad tale of betrayal and despair. It is the auction of her supposed “Bell Jar” notebooks that is central to the story. The story is told from three people close to Sylvia who each has a chance to read and recall her words that provide the depth that frames the questions that overshadow her life.

"This work rises above most other literary histories in its devotion to effectively revisiting a particular mid-century writing style and in intelligently, empathetically noodling with The Bell Jar’s enduring legacy."

From my Library Journal review.

Lee Kravetz’s first published book was Strange Contagion: Inside the Surprising Science of Infectious Behaviors and Viral Emotions. It came out of his work as a psychologist.

But Kravetz always knew he wanted to be a novelist. His debut novel The Last Confessions of Sylvia P. has just been released to rave reviews.

Blending past and present, and told through three interwoven narratives it reimagines a chapter in the life of Sylvia Plath, telling the story behind the creation of her semi-autobiographical novel, The Bell Jar.

The Last Confessions of Sylvia P. is brilliant and beautifully written—a literary mystery that never ceases to surprise and delight the reader.

Phenomenal read. If I'm to judge a book by George Saunders standards, then THE LAST CONFESSIONS OF SYLVIA P. is a raving success: I reached the end, re-read the last few pages again for the pure heart-stopping joy, and felt more alert, more engaged, and more interested in not only the world around me, but in Sylvia, Anne and the confessional poetry they wrote. Wow.
Lee Kravetz writes fiction to be sure, but the intricate dance between the "real" poets and his fictional characters is deft, sure, and utterly convincing. Add in his knowledge of the psychology of trauma, and we gain a deep understanding of his characters and the terrible tragedies that ensue, the legacies that remained in the form of a found manuscript.
And all of this--character, plot, compelling story--is rendered in beautiful, tight prose, not a word out of place, not an unnecessary line. The rotating point of views switch in perfect rhythm. Right when I wondered what was happening in the Sylvia's world, she spoke. All kudos to the careful and precise editing, the attention to the structure. I was swept up from the opening lines and couldn't put the book down.
And though I'm rarely surprised by plot twists, the book produced several I had no idea were coming, but yet felt inevitable when they did.
Great read, highly recommend!!

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was an interesting premise. I had a bit of a hard time getting into it. I don’t know if it was the timing of when I read it because I seem to be in the minority judging by other reviews. I finished and was glad I did. But, I hated Boston Rhoades.. It made me almost give up several times.

This book is really three stories that begin with just one common thread, Sylvia Plath, but through careful plotting end up becoming entwined with one another. For those of us in the Boston area, the book will hold particular appeal, but even if one has not ever set foot in Massachusetts, the feeling of Boston comes through. Of the three stories, I like Estee's the best--I would read a whole book about her if it was written (but only after reading the other two). If the reader is a Sylvia Plath lover the stories will hold poignant significance, but I think, because everyone knows her biography, the book would appeal to a wide audience. I will caution that it starts out a little slow, but like a runaway train it speeds to a satisfying conclusion.

The Last Confessions of Sylvia P. is an incredible read for anyone who is a fan of Plath's work. This narrative has so much going for it. The reader follows three points of view: Estee, who is an art curator going to auction the found original notebooks of The Bell Jar; Boston Rhodes, a rival poet in the same workshop as Plath as they rise to the top of the confessional poetry movement; and Dr. Barnhouse, Plath's psychiatrist during her time in McLean Hospital.

All these narratives interweave, and the book does not necessarily focus on Plath but her impact on the people around her. We never truly get inside her head, which is an interesting premise for a book titled with the 'Last Confessions' - but that may even be a point as a big theme is how much Sylvia would have wanted people to see.

This book was very well written. The plot was solid and connected in a very satisfying manner. Every point of view was interesting, which can often be an issue in these multi-timeline historical fiction novels. I was invested in every storyline and did not want to put it down.

My only issue was due to certain choices made with the line between fiction and nonfiction. I didn't like how Boston Rhodes was such a clear place-holder for Anne Sexton. This novel seemed to elevate the narrative of women cannot co-exist in the same industry without immense animosity. Some competition would have been interesting and dynamic, but this was to an unsympathetic and obsessive degree. I think Boston Rhodes would've served better entirely as an original creation.

But other than that nitpick, this is a book that has re-engaged my interest in historical fiction and I look forward to seeing what Kravetz does next.

The poet Sylvia Plath was a rare person who was able to express herself beautifully in language. She suffered from depression and was institutionalized in a facility where the storyteller worked. Beyond that we know that the storyteller’s mother was a poet and a rival of Sylvia. The books puts much of Sylvia’s life and death in novel form.

I read Sylvia Plath's novel The Bell Jar in my early 30s, around the same age that Plath took her own life. Plath, an acclaimed confessional poet, struggled with her mental health throughout her life and achieved much notoriety after her unfortunate death. Plath, whose work was prominent in the late 50s and early 60s, is being introduced to a new generation in Lee Kravetz's debut novel The Last Confessions of Sylvia P. Biographical in nature, but told through the POVs of three women with a vested interest in Plath, The Last Confessions of Sylvia P. explores the periphery of Sylvia's life while also uncovering a mystery related to her infamous semi-autobiographical novel The Bell Jar.

The Last Confessions of Sylvia P. is told by three women: Estee, a master curator who is presented with what appears to be the original manuscript of The Bell Jar; Boston Rhodes, a rival poet based on Anne Sexton, whose envy of Plath's success drives her to commit audacious acts; and Ruth, a psychiatrist who treated Plath in an asylum after a suicide attempt. The stories of these three women converge to paint a portrait of Plath, but as the novel progresses, we learn that they are connected by more than just their relationship with the promising young poet.

The Last Confessions of Sylvia P. is for anyone who has ever been interested in or curious about Plath and her tragic life. By cleverly interweaving characters who traveled in Plath's inner circles with a mystery surrounding a lost manuscript, Kravetz has written a compelling tale that gives Plath a fresh, new voice and pays tribute to her legacy. Likely inspired by the recent Bonham's auction of some of Plath's personal effects, including her own personal copy of The Bell Jar, Kravetz incorporates both fact and fiction to breath life back into Plath.

Admittedly, the start of this novel did move too slowly for my liking and I had difficulty getting invested in the story. I also had minimal knowledge of Plath before reading this book, and wasn't familiar with all of the players in her life, so I had to do my own research to ensure that I didn't get lost as I read. However, as I became immersed in The Last Confessions of Sylvia P., I found myself enjoying it more and more. It made me curious about Plath's life and inspired me to seek out more information about her and her works.

Literary in style, The Confessions of Sylvia P. will appeal to readers who like high-brow books about intriguing people in history.

A fictionalized account of a writer's group that counts Sylvia Plath as a member. Well written, and will excite fans of Plath's work.

"People are always changing, and yet it can take so very little to return to the person we once were, said the venom voice, What did I think would happen once I tipped her back into madness?"

I was very excited to receive this ARC because I'm a really big fan of Sylvia Plath. This story is told through the perspectives of Estee, Dr. Ruth, and Boston Rhodes with alternating timelines. As a reader, you get to see Plath through the eyes of these three women that play pivotal roles in her life. I was honestly blown away with how smooth the transition of timelines were done, and I really enjoyed how all of the stories connected. I also really loved that although Plath was never the narrator, you got to see how she was portrayed through these women. I thought I had the mysteries figured out, but something new would occur.

If you're familiar with Sylvia Plath and her story, you'll recognize many of the characters in this novel based on actual events, however, you do not have to know anything about her to enjoy this one. Being that The Bell Jar is one of my favorite novels, I was very impressed with this debut.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Books for this ARC!

I’m not sure how I feel about this book. Is it well written? Yes. Very. But it also has a thinly disguised Anne Sexton playing Salieri to Sylvia Plath’s Mozart. I found myself reading to the end more to get to the author’s notes than out of any sense of urgency to know the end.

People who love Sylvia Plath will love this book. She is portrayed here as a literary goddess beloved by all her know her (with the exception of her rival). I know that Sexton was an incredibly messed up person who left a lot of disaster in her wake, but I had a hard time picturing her being that paranoid and insecure as portrayed. (And yes, I know the character of Boston Rhodes was fictional, but it was very clear who inspired her. ). Her sections are uncomfortable, but the best written. She is the perfect unreliable narrator. I found the other narrators hard to like.

I will also give Kravitz props though for his ability to weave the three storylines together. His story structure is top notch.

The Last Confessions of Sylvia P. is a fictionalized glimpse into Sylvia Plath’s life and the origins of her most famous work, The Bell Jar. The novel is divided into 3 perspectives. The first one, told by Plath’s self-titled rival and fellow poet, Boston Rhodes, is a letter to her professor who was also Plath’s mentor. The second one is a diary of Sylvia’s psychiatrist, Ruth Barnhouse, and the third point of view we’re shown is Estee’s - a master curator in an auction house who is brought three notebooks containing a handwritten original of The Bell Jar.

I’m a big fan of Sylvia Plath, so I was really excited to read this book. It’s a literary novel and the language it’s written in is beautiful, perfectly fitting for a book about Plath. I also loved the fact that Kraetz showed us Sylvia, told us her story through the eyes of other characters. I think it was a great choice that showed Plath not only as the incredible poet we know her as, but also a real, living and breathing person, while at the same time allowing her to keep the aura of being just out of our reach.

Unfortunately, what I really hated and what drastically brought down my rating was Boston Rhodes. She was mean, self-absorbed and constantly trying to sabotage Sylvia. I usually have no problems with unlikeable characters, I enjoy them even, but Boston was so annoying that I ended up dreading her chapters. Someone with a higher tolerance for horrible, cruel characters may find some redeeming qualities in her, but I failed that task.

TLDR: The Last Confessions of Sylvia P. is a great book for anyone who loves short, atmospheric reads with flawed characters, and wants to learn more about Sylvia Plath’s life.

Lee Kravetz writes his debut historical fiction novel The Last Confessions of Sylvia P. Kravetz is the non-fiction writer of Strange Contagion and a writer for papers, periodicals, and PBS. Kravetz drew from some true events involving Sylvia Plath’s writing of The Bell Jar. Kravetz tells the story using three narrators: a master curator in a small auction house in the modern-day, a rival poet from 1952, and a psychiatrist from 1963.

Estee, the master curator for St. Ambrose’s auction house, receives three handwritten journals that must be vetted for authenticity before the sale. A fantastic connection is uncovered in the process.

Rival poet Boston Rhodes writes a letter to Robert Lowell detailing the rivalry, jealousy, and ups and downs of Plath’s relationship with her over time.

Dr. Ruth Barnhouse, the psychiatrist that treats Plath during her stay at McLean Hospital, helps draw Plath out and enables her to begin writing what will become The Bell Jar. Barnhouse discovers surprising things of her own along the journey.

This story is imaginative, suspenseful, and thought-provoking. The story is revealed in layers, like the peeling of an onion. At times, however, the story was slowed by excessively lengthy descriptions.

Overall, I liked the style of Kravetz’s writing and would read his subsequent work of fiction. I would give this book four stars. If you enjoy a blending of fact and fiction, you will enjoy The Last Confessions of Sylvia P. It is unnecessary to read any of Plath’s work to enjoy the novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Harper for supplying a DRC for an independent review.

A fantastic fiction debut! Using three different female narratives, this novel tells the story of Sylvia Plath's writing of The Bell Jar. From a gallery in present day Boston, to a poetry seminar taught by Robert Lowell in the 1950's, to Sylvia's stay at a Mental Hospital-this is part historical fiction and part psychological mystery. Encompassing mental illness, professional rivalries, the need to touch fame, and the deplorable state of mental illness treatments in the 1950s, this is an engrossing story whether or not you are a Sylvia Plath fan. Wonderful plotting, lyrical writing and excellent character development, I highly recommend this novel. It will appeal to a variety of readers-historical fiction fans, psychological mystery readers and of course lovers of Sylvia Plath's works.

What a fantastic debut! As a Massachusetts native, I love that this literary mystery takes place in the Bay State. Kravetz’s creates a wonderful “what if” tale of Sylvia Plath told through three characters in three different time periods. All three characters are engaging, so there’s no rushing through a chapter to get back to your favorite narrator.

Thank you to Harper Collins for the eARC of this book.

3 million stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a magnificent book.

The last confessions of Sylvia P is based on Sylvia Plath’s real life leading up to her tragic death and subsequent release of The Bell Jar. Told from three perspectives across different time periods, we get a well rounded, yet fictionalized account of from one of SP’s psychologists, friend and poetry rival, and a master curator. Although this book is never told from Sylvia’s perspective, Kravetz did an exceptional job capturing her voice and weaving in her work throughout this novel.

If you’re not a Plath fanatic like me, you should still read this book! You don’t need to know anything about her life to be full immersed in the storyline. However, there are subtle nods to her work and life that definitely enhances my reading experience. This book celebrates how Plath was a pioneer in openly discussing mental health and feminism against the cultural stigmatization of these issues 50s and 60s America.

If you love a good twist, literary fiction, or SP this one is for you. This would make an excellent pick for a book club!

The last thing I’ll add is that this book reaffirms that Ted Hughes is the worst.

Thank you Harper books and Lee Kravetz for the ARC!

This book was told across three different timelines and follows the impacts that people have on each other's lives. Unfortunately, this one wasn't for me. I had a bit of an issue with the pacing, which was a bit slow, and it took a while for things to start to come together. However, the writing is beautiful, and the plot was interesting.

I would like to thank Harper for providing me with an ARC.

I was delightfully reeled in and spun around by this artfully-told story that combines mystery, psychological depth, and social history. But what I loved most about THE LAST CONFESSIONS OF SYLVIA P. was its perspective on the ultra-sensitive—people who 'feel too much'—and how they can use art (in this case poetry) as a means of channeling and alleviating the inner anguish that springs from that personality trait.

Much of the story takes place at a time when depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts were defined and treated in ways we would now consider dispassionate, counterproductive, or downright cruel. Kravetz employs real, imagined, and composite characters to highlight and explore this mid-century time and I couldn’t help but compare it with the welcome disruptions in the field occurring now. Kravetz's depiction of the psychiatrist Ruth Barnhouse, who fought entrenched doctors and institutions to bring new humane treatments and therapies to patients, fits so well next to the story of the confessional poets as they strive to be taken seriously and to live less constrained lives.

The fact that Kravetz's main characters are all women was an added plus for me, especially since they're often in opposition to backward-thinking male characters. It shows an inherent respect for women that isn't often genuinely expressed by male authors. And he 'gets' the voice and tone of these women quite well.

I highly recommend this novel as a book group pick. Chances are, readers will sail through it on the merits of the story's mystery and its depiction of complex relationships between multi-generational characters. But beyond that, there are some important discussion topics here—work/life balance, artistic rivalry, motherhood, friendship, the creative process, the value of art, and redemption.

Really great story! If you are a Sylvia Plath fan, you will love this! I was worried it was going to be a little hokey or gimmicky and weird because its fiction, but it wasn't at all. I would call this a mix of historical fiction and contemporary lit, but also a little mystery as well. The ending had a great twist and brought the story full circle for me. Great Debut Novel.