I've had this book for many years and because of its "depressing" reputation, I hesitated to pick it up. I read it last week because I was tired of being such a wuss. While it's not a cheery little read, it was fascinating, particularly in the historical context. I especially liked her descriptions of how it felt to lose touch with the rest of the world. I enjoyed her mental commentary in contrast to the external dialogue. The backdrop of Plath's eventual suicide makes the experiences and hope in the book feel sharper.