About the book
“[Plath’s] story is stirring, in sneaky, unexpected ways. . . . Look carefully and there’s a new angle here — on how, and why, we read Plath today.”— Parul Sehgal, New York Times
Never before published, this newly discovered short story by literary legend Sylvia Plath is a remarkable allegorical tale about a young woman’s rebellion against convention and the forceful taking control of her own life.
Written while Sylvia Plath was a student at Smith College in 1952, Mary Ventura and The Ninth Kingdom is a compelling coming of age story about a young woman’s fateful train journey.
Lips the color of blood, the sun an unprecedented orange, train wheels that sound like “guilt, and guilt, and guilt”: these are just some of the things Mary Ventura begins to notice on her journey to the ninth kingdom.
“But what is the ninth kingdom?” she asks a kind-seeming lady in her carriage. “It is the kingdom of the frozen will,” comes the reply. “There is no going back.”
This strange, dark tale of female agency and independence, a powerful work of psychological fiction written not long after she herself left home, grapples with mortality in motion.
Editions of Mary Ventura and The Ninth Kingdom
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780062940834
- EBook
- ISBN 9780062940841
Read an Excerpt
“[Plath’s] story is stirring, in sneaky, unexpected ways. . . . Look carefully and there’s a new angle here — on how, and why, we read Plath today.”— Parul Sehgal, New York Times
Never before published, this newly discovered short story by literary legend Sylvia Plath is a remarkable allegorical tale about a young woman’s rebellion against convention and the forceful taking control of her own life.
Written while Sylvia Plath was a student at Smith College in 1952, Mary Ventura and The Ninth Kingdom is a compelling coming of age story about a young woman’s fateful train journey.
Lips the color of blood, the sun an unprecedented orange, train wheels that sound like “guilt, and guilt, and guilt”: these are just some of the things Mary Ventura begins to notice on her journey to the ninth kingdom.
“But what is the ninth kingdom?” she asks a kind-seeming lady in her carriage. “It is the kingdom of the frozen will,” comes the reply. “There is no going back.”
This strange, dark tale of female agency and independence, a powerful work of psychological fiction written not long after she herself left home, grapples with mortality in motion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mary Ventura and The Ninth Kingdom about?
“[Plath’s] story is stirring, in sneaky, unexpected ways. . . . Look carefully and there’s a new angle here — on how, and why, we read Plath today.”— Parul Sehgal, New York Times
Never before published, this newly discovered short story by literary legend Sylvia Plath is a remarkable allegorical tale about a young woman’s rebellion against convention and the forceful taking control of her own life.
Written while Sylvia Plath was a student at Smith College in 1952, Mary Ventura and The Ninth Kingdom is a compelling coming of age story about a young woman’s fateful train journey.
Lips the color of blood, the sun an unprecedented orange, train wheels that sound like “guilt, and guilt, and guilt”: these are just some of the things Mary Ventura begins to notice on her journey to the ninth kingdom.
“But what is the ninth kingdom?” she asks a kind-seeming lady in her carriage. “It is the kingdom of the frozen will,” comes the reply. “There is no going back.”
This strange, dark tale of female agency and independence, a powerful work of psychological fiction written not long after she herself left home, grapples with mortality in motion.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Mary Ventura and The Ninth Kingdom?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Poetry / Poems
Where can I read a sample of Mary Ventura and The Ninth Kingdom?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780062940834
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Mary Ventura and The Ninth Kingdom?
Sylvia Plath
Who is the Publisher of the book Mary Ventura and The Ninth Kingdom?
HarperCollins
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Mary Ventura and The Ninth Kingdom is available as paperback(ISBN 9780062940834) and ebook(ISBN 9780062940841)
Where can I buy Mary Ventura and The Ninth Kingdom online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Mary Ventura and The Ninth Kingdom from below
Where can I buy Mary Ventura and The Ninth Kingdom?