Marnie Pomeroy's contribution to the Greenwich Exchange Literary Series, published in 2006, is one of the briefest introductions to Sylvia Plath available. Its brevity is much more of a shortcoming than it ought to be. Plath's life and writing are well represented in full-length biographical and critical studies; but there is a need still to introduce her to both younger readers and new readers. Many of these younger and newer readers will start and end their introduction to Plath on the internet. Fortunately, there are a few decent and thorough web pages about Plath. That being said, there is - or there should be - a responsibility to make printed introductions readable, factually accurate and, as much as can be, authoritative while still being thorough given the limitations imposed by the series editor/publisher, etc. I found much to dislike in this book.Two examples of where the book goes wrong follow...
On page 43, the author quotes a journal entry Plath made on 29 March 1958. This is the entry where Plath predicts her future title to be the "Poetess of America." Plath lists her contemporary rivals, "Edith Sitwell & Marianne Moore...May Swenson, Isabella Gardener & most close, Adrienne Cecil Rich." Inbetween Gardner and Rich, Pomeroy inserts "[Anne Sexton belongs here too]".
My problem with this is that it was another ten months or so before Sexton and Plath's met. I find it irresponsible to insert Sexton here for the following reason: Sexton's first published poem, according to Northouse and Walsh's Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton: A Reference Guide, was in August 1958. So, at the time Plath couldn't have considered Sexton a rival because it is likely she hadn't heard of her yet. When quoting Plath or anyone, for that matter, one must occasionally put words into her mouth. And this is likely what Pomeroy was doing. However, by inserting Sexton as a rival inside the quote, it left me with the impression that the insertion was 'necessary' because Plath left her out. Sexton first appears in Plath's Journals almost a full year later on 20 March 1959.
Apparently Wellesley is 45 miles west of Boston (Pg 5). The actual distance is about a third of that.
And lastly, just to be nit-picky, in one section discussing the poems "Mirror" appears under its actual title as well as under the title "Mirrors". This is just sloppy.
A selection of other, better introductions to Sylvia Plath's life and work are available. Titles include:
Biographies:
Sylvia Plath: Her life and work by Eileen Aird
Sylvia Plath: An introduction by Susan Bassnett
Sylvia Plath: Killing the angel in the house by Elaine Connell
Sylvia Plath, revised by Caroline King Barnard Hall
Sylvia Plath: A biography by Connie Ann Kirk
Sylvia Plath by Robyn Marsack
Sylvia Plath by Peter K. Steinberg (I'm wicked biased)
Sylvia Plath: A literary life by Linda Wagner-Martin
Criticisms:
The poetry of Sylvia Plath edited by Claire Brennan
These books are only a selection of the more introductory orientated books on Plath. They are better than Pomeroy's contribution not only because they are longer, but the writing is more clear and more focused. Additionally, there is a sense of expertise on the part of the writer and the discussion of Plath's works is much more thoughtful. In some ways, introductory pieces to Plath's life and works are more crucial than critical examinations or full-length treatises. Why? Introductions are first impressions.