Bell the Bell Jar Paperback – 1 January 2012, Sylvia Plath

“It was a queer sultry summer, the summer they electrocuted the Rosenbergs and I didn’t know what I was doing in New York.” The first sentence itself gives a glimpse into her thought process which hooked me to the book.The book goes through the experiences of the protagonist Esther Greenwood while she is working as an intern in a fashion magazine in New York during the summer and how she views people around her. After she completes her internship, she moves back to Boston but her life does not turn out the way she envisioned it to be. And then slowly but surely, she falls into depression and ultimately takes help.The book also deals with how the protagonist faced critique from the society as she decided to focus on her career rather than getting married and settling down. The book also gives a glimpse into New York of that time.Coming to the title, the bell jar is metaphorical to depression. The protagonist felt trapped inside a bell jar and she could see everyone around her and how they were behaving and they could see her perfectly normal externally. She wanted someone to come and save her but nonetheless no one could see what she was going through internally.The book deals with the complexities of the human mind, the protagonist trying to find her place in the world, societal expectations and taboos on women, depression and suicide. I felt the book was quite ahead of its time since it was set in the 1950’s and navigates through the mental health journey of the protagonist.I found the writing style quite intense and gripping. It was extremely difficult for me to continue reading the book as it became quite overwhelming at times. The book was moderately paced for me.I will treasure reading such an honest portrayal of the author’s life experiences making the book semi-autobiographical. However, I won’t suggest this book for beginners or anyone going through anything difficult in their life becz this book is quite disturbing and it can trigger u.

I have always loved the poems of Sylvia Plath and have read many articles to know she was going through immense depression. This book though fictional is said to be inspired deeply from her personal experiences and I guess that’s what emotionally breaks you down as a Sylvia Plath fan. The first half shows us how modern Sylvia’s thoughts are in terms of women's rights, work ethics, etc, especially we should remember this is the 1950s we are talking about and that’s one of the major reasons which prevents her from gelling with the society. We can understand her struggle to bridge the gap between her thoughts and the society wants her to be.. And the second half plunges to calling out her depression and the treatments she goes through. Although her narrative is emotionally detached, we can feel the pain she must have gone through in this whole process. 4 stars because I did not find any story here, I understood and loved it because I have closely followed her life story and read about it, otherwise I could feel a disconnect in the story flow at some parts..MUST READ for Sylvia Plath fans. DON’T READ for people who are themselves going through depression, because this book throws a negative light on depression and may tell that there is no coming back once you are diagnosed with mental illness, which is not always the case.

Sylvia plath should definitely be read for understanding her confessional style of writing style…

A hauntingly beautiful exploration of mental illness, identity, and the struggle for self-discovery. Written with raw intensity and lyrical prose, Plath takes readers on a journey through the mind of Esther Greenwood, a young woman grappling with her place in the world amidst the suffocating pressures of society.Esther Greenwood finds herself on the cusp of adulthood, surrounded by societal expectations and the relentless pursuit of perfection. As she embarks on a prestigious internship in New York City, she is confronted with the stark realities of adulthood, and the facade of success begins to crack. Plath masterfully portrays Esther's descent into depression and madness, capturing the tumultuous storm raging within her mind with vivid and visceral imagery.The bell jar, a metaphor for Esther's suffocating mental state, looms over her, trapping her in a world of darkness and despair. Through Esther's eyes, Plath exposes the hypocrisy and shallowness of the world around her, as she struggles to find her voice amidst the cacophony of societal expectations.At its core, The Bell Jar is a profound meditation on the search for identity and the quest for meaning in a world that often seems devoid of both. Plath's exploration of existential themes resonates deeply, as Esther grapples with the existential dread that pervades her every thought.

I'm not sure if this is an original copy. The title is a little blurred and even the text on the pages is a little slanted and the quality of pages is really bad, kind of like rough, recycled paper as you can see in the pictures.Also, I hate how they do packaging. There was no bubble wrap or even plastic wrap, the books were just thrown into a thin paper bag. Which made the corners bend.Seller was Cocoblu.

Amo Sylvia Plath

Llego en perfectas condiciones.Esta portada es de las q mas me gustan de este libro

"The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath is a powerful and poignant novel that delves into the mind of Esther Greenwood, a young woman grappling with her deteriorating mental health amidst the pressures of societal expectations. As a brilliant and talented individual, Esther appears to have everything going for her, but beneath her outwardly successful facade lies a profound sense of isolation and the creeping sensation of losing control. Plath expertly captures the intensity of Esther's breakdown, making her neurosis both relatable and tragically understandable, as she spirals deeper into despair.Through Esther's journey, Plath provides a raw and unflinching look at the dark corners of the psyche and the pervasive loneliness that many individuals face in modern society. "The Bell Jar" remains a haunting classic, celebrated for its compelling prose and its exploration of mental illness in a world that often fails to address it. This P.S. edition also offers additional insights, including author interviews and recommended readings, enriching the reader's experience and understanding of this timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today.

Intense and tragic and so much to learn from . It’s a classic read over and over.

Nice