51 pages • 1 hour read
The Bell Jar
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Book Brief
288
Novel • Fiction
New York City • 1950s
1963
Adult
18+ years
1050L
Super Short Summary
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath tells the story of 19-year-old Esther Greenwood, a college student who works as an intern at a prestigious magazine in New York City but struggles with depression, identity, and societal expectations. Her journey includes a mental breakdown, several suicide attempts, hospitalization, and gradual recovery with the help of a compassionate psychiatrist. The book addresses sensitive topics such as mental illness, suicide, and sexual assault.
Melancholic
Mysterious
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
1,060,705 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
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Review Roundup
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath is a profound exploration of mental illness, offering a deep, albeit dark, insight into the protagonist's psyche. Critics praise Plath's lyrical prose and authentic portrayal of depression. Some find the narrative intense and unsettling. The novel remains a poignant, if heavy, literary classic.
Who Should Read The Bell Jar?
Readers who appreciate The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath typically enjoy introspective narratives exploring mental health, identity, and societal pressures. Fans of J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye and Charlotte Perkins Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper would likely be drawn to Plath's poignant, semi-autobiographical prose.
1,060,705 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
288
Novel • Fiction
New York City • 1950s
1963
Adult
18+ years
1050L
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