Sylvia Plath, a dramatic portrait

by Barry Kyle

1976 PERENNIAL LIBRARY PAPERBACK

Genres: Plays

92 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Anisha Inkspill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read Three Women: A Monologue for 3 Voices first, and seeing its structure was similar to this dramatic portrait by Barry Kyle, the plan was to read Kyle’s work after it only to find Three Women is included in this edition.

The intro explains this dramatic portrait is a companion piece to Three Women. Reading it together flows wonderfully.

I like plays that are fragments, or parts of other texts recomposed. Here, Barry Kyle takes some of the poems, journal writing and an extract from The Bell Jar and interpolates it with writings about Sylvia Plath.

The effect is haunting as I could envisage this being performed on stage (where it would even work as an audio drama).

Kyle’s dramatic portrait ends on a hopeful note but it’s more subtle than the ending of Three Women by Sylvia Plath.

The streets may turn to paper suddenly, but I recover
From the long fall, and find myself in bed,
Safe on the mattress, hands braced, as for a fall.
I find myself again. I am no shadow
Though there is a shadow starting from my feet. I am a wife.
The city waits and aches. The little grasses
Crack through stone, and they are green with life.