Book Reviews of The Bell Jar

I can easily see why this is a classic.. what I cannot understand is why it took me so long to read it! And I mean, why I did not read it earlier on in my life, because I finished it in a day.
I saw myself in Esther's downward spiral so vividly, it was frightening! The characters were all so well written, but not so much so that they took away from the main story.. from the all consuming fear of being a nobody.. becoming nothing. Esther's fears consume the reader much as they consumed herself.

I was so engrossed in this book, that the night I finished the read, I dreamed of shock therapy.

Engagingly written book that explores the mental break-down of a young woman. This is semi-autobiographical, as Plath and her main character have some strong similarities. In my opinion, I think this describes quite well the fusion of mania and depression in a bi-polar person. Not the up-up-up mania, but the irritable and angry mania - a perfect "mixed" state. The title is an analogy to the isolation and separation the main character feels - everyone can see what's in a bell jar, but no one can hear what's going on inside.

This was a fascinating and beautifully written portrayal of a young woman's nervous breakdown. Based on Plath's own experiences, the story takes you into the thought distortions of someone who is suffering from depression and all the other factors making up a nervous collapse. I particularly enjoyed Plath's use of language. Excellent reading.

This book is a real classic. The way Plath writes is beautiful and thought provoking. I would imagine that almost everyone can see themselves in the character at one point or another in this book. A must read.

One of the must reads about the experience of depression in this young woman's breakdown. A classic. Sylvia Plath is one of my absolute favorite authors.

AMAZING CANNOT BELIEVE I DID NOT READ THIS UNTIL I WAS 37

A vunerable young girl wins a dream assignment on a big-time New York fashion magazine and finds herself plunged into a nightmare. An autobiographical account of Sylvia Plath's own mental breakdown and sucide attempt. THE BELL JAR is more than a confessional novel, its a comic but painful statement of what happens to a woman's aspirations in a society that refuses to take them seriously...a society that expects electroshock to cure the despair of a sensitive, questioning your artist whose search for identity becomes a terrifying descent toward madness.

An essential read for all young feminists. I sent it to my 18-year-old great-grandaughter and would recommend it to all my "greats" (27) male and female.

Absolutely one of my favorite books. It is heavy and a bit crazy but a fantastic read. Sylvia Plath is one of the most fascinating writers, and if you have never read a Plath novel this is a wonderful starter!

I really enjoyed this book. It is a book about depression, although it made me laugh in places. I found the writing beautiful. I would highly recommend it.

I decided to try and read this when i was going threw a time when I could not get into anything I was trying to read. This snapped my out of it and i finished it in a day or two. Good read.

Sylvia Plath was quite talented...

Excellent, depressing classic!!!

very good book

This is an old book that I received from someone else in the Paperbookswap. It's in good shape for how old it is. Binding is still good and no writing inside or torn covers.

amazing (I don't think I know anyone who didn't like this book); an essential read

Soon to be a movie! A vulnerable young girl wins a dream assignment on a big-time New York fashion magazine and finds herself plunged into a nightmare.

A moving and somewhat harrowing account of a young woman's mental breakdown and suicide attempt.

A vulnerable young girl wins a dream assignment on a big-time New York fashion magazine and finds herself plunged into a nightmare. An autobiographical account of Sylvia Plath's own mental breakdown and suicide attempt.

Book includes drawings by Sylvia Plath.

This is an amazing book! If you haven't read it yet, do yourself a favor and pick it up!