Euphoria
A journey through creativity, identity, and societal constraints
Elin Cullhed author Jennifer Hayashida translator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Canongate Books
Published:6th Jul '23
Should be back in stock very soon
This paperback is available in another edition too:
- Hardback£16.99(9781838855963)
The story of a woman's struggle with societal expectations unfolds in Euphoria, revealing her emotional battles and creative resilience during her final year.
In Euphoria, the narrative unfolds a poignant exploration of a woman's inner turmoil as she grapples with societal expectations and personal aspirations. Set against the backdrop of Sylvia Plath's final year, the story captures the essence of a brilliant mind caught in a struggle between her roles as a wife and mother and her desire for creative freedom. As the pressures of duty mount and her marriage to Ted Hughes deteriorates, Sylvia's world transforms from a seemingly idyllic existence into a confining reality.
The book delves deep into the emotional landscape of Sylvia Plath, showcasing her resilience amidst despair. Writing becomes her refuge, a means to articulate her pain and reclaim her identity. Through her words, she confronts the betrayals and constraints that threaten to stifle her spirit, revealing a powerful narrative of self-discovery and artistic expression. The juxtaposition of her external struggles and internal battles highlights the complexity of her character.
Ultimately, Euphoria serves as a testament to the transformative power of art. Even as Sylvia contemplates her fate, her creative output in those last weeks resonates with a fiery brilliance that solidifies her legacy. This portrayal not only honors her life but also invites readers to reflect on the profound impact of creativity in the face of adversity.
An audacious, gripping novel . . . a book for our times * * Guardian * *
Euphoria is about the fissures between motherhood, love and creativity but is also a celebration of Plath's power * * Evening Standard * *
Compelling and visceral * * Irish Examiner * *
A novel about the conflicted emotional underbelly of female experience - including childbirth, desire, envy, rage, insecurity, ambition . . . Brave * * Times Literary Supplement * *
A sensitive and artistic account of a woman attempting to write herself out of oblivion . . . not a book about death, it is a book about art, more specifically, female art, and its resilience and endurance * * Sunday Business Post * *
Compelling * * BBC History Magazine * *
Imagines the hopes, fears, dreams and memoirs of [Plath's] final months, as well as the growing tensions between the worlds of creativity and domesticity. Based on archival research but explicitly a work of fiction, Elin Cullhed's book aims to focus not on Plath's death but instead on the complexities and contradictions of her life * * History Revealed * *
- Short-listed for Bernard Shaw Prize 2023 (UK)
ISBN: 9781838855994
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 18mm
Weight: 205g
304 pages
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