The Bell Jar

On February 11th, 1963, Sylvia Plath took her own life in her England home at the age of 30. Rejected by publishers for being "disappointing, juvenile, and overwrought", Plath's first and only novel remained unpublished in the states. It wasn't until 1971 that The Bell Jar was released to an eagerly waiting America.
Based on Plath's own experiences, The Bell Jar chronicles the break down of "Esther Greenwood" in the summer of 1953. A brilliant, honors student with great potential, Esther spends the summer in New York completing an internship with a high fashion magazine. Throughout the summer and into her return home, we start to see her mentally deteriorate. Finally, after an attempted suicide, Esther is committed to an asylum where she receives electric shock treatments and tries to recover.
When I found The Bell Jar on a list of recommended books, I was unaware of it's story or it's history. I obviously knew of Sylvia Plath, but I didn't know her tragic story. I was also unaware that The Bell Jar was her true experiences. I found it fascinating.
Oftentimes when I go to read classic, highly acclaimed books, I expect them to be dry, complex, and filled with big words and out of date language. With The Bell Jar, I found none of that. Plath speaks openly as a young woman, and although it has been over 50 years since her story took place, it is still relatable. Her struggle to discover who she wants to be and the feelings that she has are timeless.
I really loved this book. It was sad to see how a woman that had everything going for her could break apart.
In the foreword by Frances McCullough, The Bell Jar is said to have "quickly established itself as a female rite-of-passage novel, a twin to Catcher in the Rye". I think this truly is one of those life changing books that every woman should read.