Bitter fame

In this authoritative and controversial biography, Stevenson charts the ways in which Sylvia Plath created her own legend--one at odds with the posthumous myth that has grown up around her. In her preface to this new biography of Sylvia Plath, Stevenson states that she intends to create "an objective account of how this exceptionally gifted girl was hurled into poetry by a combination of biographical accident and inflexible ideals and ambitions.". Early years First steps Professional growth Public recognition Peak period Later years Public interest Professional activity Media attention
Poet and critic Stevenson (Minute by Glass Minute, ; The Fiction Makers, ) brings a discriminating poetic sense and sympathetic urgency to her account of Plath, from birth to suicide.