The Bell Jar

Written by Sylvia Plath

Narrated by Maggie Gyllenhaal

When Esther Greenwood wins an internship at a New York fashion magazine in 1953, she is elated, believing she will finally realise her dream to become a writer. But in between the cocktail parties and piles of manuscripts, Esther's life begins to slide out of control. She finds herself spiralling into depression and eventually a suicide attempt as she grapples with difficult relationships and a society which refuses to take women's aspirations seriously.

Sylvia Plath's groundbreaking semiautobiographical novel offers an intimate, honest and often wrenching glimpse into mental illness. The Bell Jar broke the boundaries between fiction and reality and helped cement Sylvia Plath's place as an enduring feminist icon. Celebrated for its darkly humorous, razor-sharp portrait of 1950s society, it continues to resonate with listeners today as a testament to the universal human struggle to claim one's rightful place in the world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Faber & Faber
• Release date: Apr 16, 2015
• ISBN: 9780571336517

Sylvia Plath

Sylvia Plath was born in 1932 in Massachusetts. Her books include the poetry collections The Colossus, Crossing the Water, Winter Trees, Ariel, and Collected Poems, which won the Pulitzer Prize. A complete and uncut facsimile edition of Ariel was published in 2004 with her original selection and arrangement of poems. She was married to the poet Ted Hughes, with whom she had a daughter, Frieda, and a son, Nicholas. She died in London in 1963.

Reviews for The Bell Jar

[Norah · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was such an amazing, raw book ❤️. The narrator was really good too

[Karen Ch W · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excelente narración en audio. Un libro cautivador y entrañable.

[Emily · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have worked in psychiatry for a decade, and never read such a brilliant autobiographical account of mental illness. The Bell Jar is full of beauty, humor, and truth. I loved it.

[Angie Herrera · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great narration

As a person who lives with chronic depression, I enjoyed listening to this book.

[Basma · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

the book is so good I wanna cry. Definitely one of my problematic favourites.

[steph s · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of my literary favourites. I wanted to revisit it in some down time, however I didn't feel this narrator did it justice sadly. Her voice is lovely but I think next time I'll read it myself.

[Delaram Mirshamsi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

There is always something captivating in reading works of authors who have suffered from extended periods of mental/ physical illnesses.
A simple narrative; at times reminded me of Mrs Dallowey and The Catcher in the Rye

[Anna Biniek-Świątek · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful, sad and scary at the same time. A journey, that will stay with me for a long time with truth, and observation with which I can too much relate to. Definitely worth reading, if you do not mind traumas, mental illness and rather slow paced tempo and getting to know someone else's point of view on everything that surrounds one, then just give it a go.

[Salwa Sidahmed · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I gave the book 4/5 stars. But the audiobook, narrated by Maggie Gyllenhaal, is so captivating; it deserves 5 stars. She breathed life into this story.

[Caro · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It is unfortunate that Sylvia Plath didn't survive the demons that where tormented her while her character did!

[Billie A · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sylvia plath is one of my favorite poets, I love her

[kiki víchova · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The narrator was phenomenal, I just didn't like the story. It was so boring and main heroin and her racist comments didnt help. I understand what people see it in it, but it wasn't for me.

[Munachiso Ilokah · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brilliant. Would recommend for anybody interested in the complicated nature of life.

[Hero The Bard · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

DNF this book at 1/3 the way though, not compelling, boring, and honestly dry. I feel bad that teachers still use this in high schools because its outdated by almost 50 years. It dosn't talk about current ways the people interact at all. Because it couldn't compare to what teens now go though. Even what teens went though 10 years ago when I was in high school dosen't exactly match up to what they are going though now. Two stars.

[Fena Reti · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brilliant but very painful to read. It made me anxious and sad from the very beginning. Midway through I started researching for happy books to read after this. It really reminded me of “Norwegian wood”.

The audiobook narration was top notch too!

[Ipek Erdalli Buchanan · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was an unusual book, a thorough insight into a descent into depression. Pretty slow pace, but enjoyable.

[Daniel Budden · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A humbling and sublime book. Beautifully descriptive, eye opening and thought provoking. Helped me be to more empathetic and patient to loved ones who are suffering with depression and psychosis.