The Bell Jar

One of The Atlantic’s Great American Novels

“A coming-of-age masterpiece. . . . Sylvia Plath has become one of the influential writers of her time.” —Boston Globe

Sylvia Plath’s masterwork—an acclaimed and enduring novel about a young woman falling into the grip of mental illness and societal pressures

Esther Greenwood is a bright, beautiful, enormously talented young woman, but she's slowly going under—maybe for the last time. Sylvia Plath brilliantly draws the reader into Esther’s breakdown with such intensity that her neurosis becomes palpably real, even rational—as accessible an experience as going to the movies. A deep penetration into the darkest and most harrowing corners of the human psyche, The Bell Jar is an extraordinary accomplishment and a haunting American classic.

This edition features extra insights into the book and author.

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240 pages

Average rating: 7.69

602 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Megera
Apr 06, 2025
10/10 stars
One of the best poets of any age. Super relatable and inspiring at from adolescence to adulthood.
Klambart25
Feb 23, 2025
10/10 stars
A deeply intriguing story that makes you think about your own existence
Silvia G
Feb 20, 2025
9/10 stars
I absolutely stunning! Loved it! The humor is fantastic, and I adore how obsessively meticulous she is. It’s almost tragic, and I can’t help but get goosebumps thinking that it might be inspired by her real life.
liv_itupppp
Feb 17, 2025
5/10 stars
I enjoyed the novel—for the most part. While I don’t appreciate the racist comments, I understand that it was written in a different time. The writing is beautiful, and while some parts really resonated with me, others made me cringe. I relate a lot to Esther and deeply appreciated the novel’s feminist themes, as well as its thoughtful exploration of depression and suicide.
dannyvargas92
Jan 24, 2025
8/10 stars
Sad

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