Perspective

In investigating the writing of the many biographies of Sylvia Plath—at least five major tomes—Janet Malcolm wrote her book The Silent Woman in the first person narrative. As she describes her interviews and interactions with the various biographers, friends and associates of the dead poet and Sylvia's strong-willed sister-in-law, Olwyn Hughes, Malcolm becomes a character in her own book, which focuses on the difficulty of writing about the life and death of the perplexing and enigmatic Sylvia Plath. Not only did she interview writers, Malcolm, being a writer herself, provided special insight for the reader as the account progressed. She was able to describe and explain the writer's perspective with ease and professionalism.

There are all indications that Malcolm was careful to portray each writers' point of view of the experiences they had in writing their books. As a writer, Malcolm has the instinct...