Sylvia Plath

Sylvia Plath is the subject of the biographies and memoirs that author Janet Malcolm investigated during her search to find the definitive version of the life and untimely death of the poet and writer. Sylvia was seen as a neat American girl with golden blonde hair when she moved to London after graduating from Smith College. Her sweet and conservative appearance was misleading—admitting herself that she had a "not-nice" side. Her poetry was darkly exciting and even characterized as poisonous and did not match her perfect exterior.

Sylvia married British poet Ted Hughes with whom she had two children. After six years of marriage, Ted fell for another woman and the couple separated. It was then that Sylvia's life fell apart, although there is much evidence that she had been suffering from mental and emotional problems most of her life. But immediately after Sylvia gassed...