'A modern classic.' Guardian 'A near-perfect work of art.' Joyce Carol Oates Sylvia Plath is a major cultural icon who continues to inspire new generations of female readers. The Bell Jar is one of the defining novels of the 20th century. I was supposed to be having the time of my life . . . Working as an intern for a New York fashion magazine in the summer of 1953, Esther Greenwood is on the brink of her future. Yet she is also on the edge of a darkness that makes her world increasingly unreal. Esther's vision of the ...
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'A modern classic.' Guardian 'A near-perfect work of art.' Joyce Carol Oates Sylvia Plath is a major cultural icon who continues to inspire new generations of female readers. The Bell Jar is one of the defining novels of the 20th century. I was supposed to be having the time of my life . . . Working as an intern for a New York fashion magazine in the summer of 1953, Esther Greenwood is on the brink of her future. Yet she is also on the edge of a darkness that makes her world increasingly unreal. Esther's vision of the world shimmers and shifts: day-to-day living in the sultry city, her crazed men-friends, the hot dinner dances . . . The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath's only novel, is partially based on Plath's own life. It has been celebrated for its darkly funny and razor sharp portrait of 1950s society, and has sold millions of copies worldwide. ONE OF THE BBC'S '100 NOVELS THAT SHAPED OUR WORLD' 'As clear and readable as it is witty and disturbing.' New York Times Book Review Reader responses: 'Very readable, often darkly funny, and feels fresh.' 'Plath's masterpiece . . . It's amazing how relevant this book still is.' 'So enthralling . . . So thought provoking, so vivid, that it's thoroughly engrossing.' 'I just couldn't put it down.' 'Ever better than I expected.' 'Plath's underrated humour shines through this startling account of 1950s 'normality'.'
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Seller's Description:
New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 240 p. Faber Paper Covered Editions. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
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New. 2001. Main-Re-issue. Paperback. A novel, that was originally published in 1963 under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas. It is partially based on the author's own life and descent into mental illness. It presents a portrait of the 1950s society. Num Pages: 240 pages. BIC Classification: FA. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 199 x 126 x 16. Weight in Grams: 164......We ship daily from our Bookshop.
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Seller's Description:
Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 240 p. Faber Paper Covered Editions. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
A great read--I highly recommend it. Classics never die.
The Pageturner
Oct 28, 2009
Character Trapped in Societal Asylum
The main character of this novel reminds me of the main character in "The Stranger", except that she has emotions. The book reveals society's insanity in trying to create a cookie cutter generation of females. The surrounding character's expectations of Esther Greenwood lead to her nervous breakdown and attempted suicide. The book is not intense, but it will keep your interest until the end.
cassandra
Apr 24, 2008
nothing really special
It was okay. A little mundane. It did keep my attention and completion of the story. Quite depressing and a little confusing at times.
cathiesblogg
Oct 19, 2007
A haunting mental breakdown
I purchased this book after reading Sylvia Plath's life journals and poetry. I was really surprised of how much a perfectionist that she really was. Her brilliant but sensitive mind was unique. She did not handle rejection well and seemed to really have a hard time fitting in at certain times. "very still and very empty" is the way the narrator described herself. It shows the more "real" life of the high fashion and society life. Could benefit teenagers that are considering this life style to read this book.. I recommend reading this book highly!..expecially if you are a Sylvia Plath fan..
Sali
Aug 9, 2007
The Book and the Tragedy
I read the Bell Jar more than thirty years ago. I read it before I knew the real, followup tragedy of Sylvia Plath. The Bell Jar gives a vivid picture of the artificiality of glamour in the fashion world and shows the conflict of values and self-esteem through the perceptions of young girl. In the book, the girl is named Esther, but she is Sylvia Plath's alter-ego. Esther has been an achiever and has won countless prizes for her talents, but in reality she is a fragile, unsure young woman. The book deals with her negativity and self-contempt..It deals with her attempt at suicide and her struggle with mental illness. In the book she has recovered. But Sylvia Plath made a second attempt at suicide a few years later. She succeeded this time.