The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (2005, Paperback)

Plath's only novel, published shortly before her suicide, THE BELL JAR tells the story, based on the author's own experiences, about a young woman's descent into madness. Esther Greenwood spends a month in New York City as a guest magazine editor--just as Plath did as a Mademoiselle magazine intern--and gradually loses her grip on reality. THE BELL JAR was so autobiographical that, when it was first published in 1963 in England, it appeared under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas.

The Bell Jar was written largely as autobiographical, the character Esther, like Sylvia Plath, bedeviled by depression. At the book's beginning I thought I was going to be in for a female version of F. Scott Fitzgerald - the oh-so-nice social connections, and all that entails in the way of social commentary. Sadly, as I continued to read, I discovered Plath's story had little of the social commentary or personal depth of Fitzgerald's work.
Two things in particular disturbed me about this book:
First, Plath probably portrayed her alter ego correctly in that Ester acted in an almost completely dispassionate manner. In writing this way, I think Plath conflates the monochromatic way depressives perceive their world with their inner world. It would have been a much stronger book to have the character more aware of the untenable situations the depressed state put Esther in, and to have had her deal with them inwardly - in conflict with the way she wanted to feel and act. As it is, Esther seems mentally impaired beyond depression, and totally vulnerable to any and all outside influences.
The second, related point, is that the character comes across as a victim. I doubt Plath saw her that way, butthe way Esther comes across must have concerned feminists in the years to come when this book was held up as a sort of anthem for women's rights.

It's hard to not be obsessed by this book. It's alot of psychology...thinly veiled autobiography. the honesty is what got me. It's hard to admit that you have psychological disorders...let alone write, in detail about trying to kill yourself and your obsessions. THe main character, Esther, is a great medium to learn about Plath. Her writing is impeccable and when I first read it, I wished she had lived to write more prose. It's a beautiful and stunning piece of work. Just as pleasing to hear and read as her poetry. If you like emotional work, if you can handle raw hate and despair, you need to read this. It changed my writing style. If you're a writer, you REALLY need to read this.

I had recently seen the movie Sylvia and decided to try to read this book again. I had the book in college and either didn't get into to it or didn't have time. I thought I would try to read it again. It is a strange tale of a troubled young woman and how simple things if not taken in stride can weigh on a person. I can't say I recommend it all too highly. It is enjoyable and nteresting, but it is far from enthralling. It is very well written, but the story is just so strange and sad.

This book is great for women and young girls. I gave a copy to my friend who was taking some time to rest at a mental help facility and she really liked it.