From the Bookshelf of Catching up on Classics (and lots more!)…

The Bell Jar

Sylvia Plath

Start date: March 1, 2023

Finish date: May 31, 2023

Discussion: Upcoming Books: No Spoilers

Why we're reading this: Revisit the Shelf Reread, March 2023

Revisit the Shelf Reread, April 2016

Previous Reads:
New School Classi…more
[close] Revisit the Shelf Reread, March 2023

Revisit the Shelf Reread, April 2016

Previous Reads:
New School Classic Group Read, December 2014

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of -20 topics — 267 comments total

Upcoming Books: No Spoilers

This topic has been closed to new comments.

* Purpose of this Folder
By Katy , Quarterly Long Reads · 31 posts · 857 views

last updated Dec 01, 2024 11:48AM

Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler - No Spoilers
By Lynn , New School Classics · 3 posts · 24 views

last updated Sep 14, 2025 05:34AM

showing 10 of 77 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Jun 14, 2011 Trisha rated it really liked it

Shelves: classics

It was an interesting read, with a unique look through the main character's eyes. It is sad to think that the novel is semi-autobiographical and that Plath was writing about things like electroshock therapy from experience. It was still an interesting perspective. I'm sure that Plath's bluntness and detailed suicidal thoughts/attempts were quite controversial when the novel first came out. I was surprised by how matter of factly she would describe Esther walking around the house with the tie fro ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 25, 2016 lethe rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: g-modern-classics, r-group-read, z-reread, a-adult, c-record-correct, p-removed, c-ace-linked, g-fictional-bios, t-health, d-20th-c

I first read The Bell Jar almost 40 years ago and remembered I loved it. Therefore I was very much surprised to find that this time I really disliked Esther at first, so much so that I contemplated not finishing the book.

But I persevered and I am glad I did, because by the second half all my reservations had evaporated and I ended up loving it again.

A brilliant portrayal of depression.

2 likes · Like · see review