The Bell Jar

by Sylvia Plath
The Bell Jar cover
Good Books rating 4.44
Literary Fiction
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Format • £8.54–£9.49
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Paperback • £9.99 Hardback • £14.99–£16.99
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Technical
  • ID: 5511
  • Added: 2025-10-24
  • Updated: 2026-02-03
  • ISBN: 9781443431897
  • Publisher: Harper Collins
  • Published: 2014-01-01
  • Formats: 13
  • Reviews: 4

Esther Greenwood begins her summer with high hopes for a career in writing, but her dreams are shattered when she's rejected from a prestigious seminar. Returning home to Massachusetts, she spirals into depression and attempts suicide, leading to a series of hospitalizations and controversial treatments. Sylvia Plath's semi-autobiographical novel, The Bell Jar, is celebrated for its dark humor, honest portrayal of mental illness, and feminist perspective. The book's exploration of societal expectations for young women has left a lasting impact on literature and pop culture. /n/n Plath's only novel, The Bell Jar, has been widely read and discussed for its parallels to the author's own life. The book's publication was followed by Plath's tragic suicide, adding a layer of poignancy to its themes. HarperPerennial Classics brings this great work of literature to life in digital format, upholding high standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2026-01-25
beautiful 4.50

The Bell Jar is poignant, honest, and unflinching, with beautiful prose that is touched with poetry. The ending is unforgettable, making it a memorable read.

This Goodreads review praises The Bell Jar for its poignant and honest portrayal of the protagonist's experiences. The prose is described as beautiful and poetic, adding a layer of depth to the narrative. The reviewer finds the ending particularly unforgettable, highlighting its impact on the reader. The book is seen as a powerful exploration of mental health and the human condition, with the reviewer appreciating Plath's unflinching honesty in her writing.

Quick quotes

    It is poignant, honest, unflinching.

    The prose is beautiful, touched with poetry.

    The ending is unforgettable.

Julia's Books · Julia · 2023-04-06
intimate 4.50

The review praises the intimate and personal nature of the book, highlighting Plath's ability to draw readers into the character's state of mind.

Julia appreciates the painfully intimate nature of 'The Bell Jar', noting how Plath's writing draws readers into the character's state of mind. She emphasizes the unique perspective through which all other characters are seen, making the narrative deeply personal and engaging. Julia also highlights the book's relevance and its ability to resonate with readers, particularly those who have experienced similar struggles.

Quick quotes

    The Bell Jar is a painfully intimate book.

    Plath draws you into her character's state of mind and all the other characters are seen entirely through her eyes.

    The writing in this book is, first of all, beautiful.

The Word Wolf · 2021-12-08
disturbing 4.25

The review discusses the metaphor of the bell jar and its significance in the narrative, highlighting the sense of entrapment and isolation.

The reviewer explores the metaphor of the bell jar, noting its significance in conveying a sense of entrapment and isolation. They appreciate how this metaphor works on multiple levels, creating a powerful and disturbing narrative. The review also touches on the book's relevance and its ability to resonate with readers, particularly those who have experienced similar struggles.

Quick quotes

    Esther feels as though she is living underneath a bell jar, and this works for me on a number of levels.

    It's a raw, unsettling book with flashes of brilliance, a roman à clef that's also a long, tormented footnote to Plath's tormented poetry.

    The Bell Jar is a remarkably interesting novel, despite its age.

The New York Times · 2021-10-21
extraordinary 4.50

Esther Greenwood's account in The Bell Jar is clear, readable, witty, and disturbing. The book's extraordinary nature is highlighted, making it a standout piece of literature.

The New York Times review describes Esther Greenwood's account in The Bell Jar as clear, readable, and witty, while also acknowledging its disturbing elements. The reviewer finds the book extraordinary, praising its ability to captivate readers with its unique blend of humor and darkness. The narrative is seen as a powerful exploration of mental health, with the reviewer appreciating Plath's ability to convey the protagonist's thoughts and feelings in a way that is both engaging and unsettling.

Quick quotes

    Esther Greenwood's account of her year in the bell jar is as clear and readable as it is witty and disturbing.

    Why, then, has this extraordinary book not been more widely read?

    The Bell Jar is a classic that continues to resonate with readers today.

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