Writing After Death

Ariel is a collection of poetry by Sylvia Plath which was originally published by her husband, Ted Hughes, after her death. The restored edition was published by their daughter, Frieda Hughes, in the style she says Plath initially intended. The fact that two people who knew Plath published her work after she died forces me to ponder the question, who takes care of an author's work after they pass away?

Ariel

The restored edition of Ariel was a beautiful way to get to know Sylvia Plath; not only is each poem carefully written, but the way in which Frieda Hughes published them (the order Plath wrote them in) makes the reader sympathize with Plath's struggles. I could really feel how she descended from optimism and happiness to thoughts that were more chaotic and depressed.

I also recommend this edition because after the last poem, Plath's daughter included the drafts of the poems and the edits Plath made to her poetry, which shows the care and planning that went in to every word. Because this book is accessible to readers and the audience can likely sympathize with the themes, I think it would also make an excellent choice for your next book club read!

Which poet should I read next?

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