Question

[Jules]

Can I read The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath if I'm 12?
Does this book help with mental issues?

[svekrva]

I think you should wait a couple of years. If anything this book may worsen your mental state.

[Stelanie]

Do you have a parent that will be willing to read the book with you. If so, I think as long as you are willing to sit and talk it over with them but if not, I would wait. Sylvia Plath was a very talented writer, but her mind turned against her.

[Valerie]

Jules wrote: "Can I read The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath if I'm 12?
Does this book help with mental issues?"

yo no te lo recomiendo realmente a mi no me gusto creo que hay otros libros que podrian ayudarte más como "deberias hablar con alguien" "mil veces hasta siempre" "como vole sobre el nido del cucu" "la leccion de august" son mucho más juveniles y en mi percepcion, son excelentes libros a todos les he dado 5 estrellas

[Gabrielle]

I'm a reader who deals with depression, can this book could be recommended?

[Emma]

Gabrielle wrote: "I'm a reader who deals with depression, can this book could be recommended?"

I would say it is very circumstantial. Some of the contents within the book are very triggering and can be hard to digest, especially if you are not in a good place mentally. That being said, this is one of my favorite books of all time. I would make a list of topics that you think you could handle, topics that would need a bit of digestion, and then topics that are absolute no's. After this maybe look up common themes to see if this is something you can read right now. Just be aware of what you are reading, as you are reading; and allow yourself to put the book down if it gets too heavy. It took me longer than usual to read just because I had to take time apart from certain topics. I definitely recommend this book, as I said, it is in my top 5 of all time! Just please be aware of what you can and cannot handle at the moment! :)

[Blabbin.about.books]

Jules wrote: "Can I read The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath if I'm 12?
Does this book help with mental issues?"

I wouldn't say it helps with any mental health issues.
There is a lot of strong, adult themes including suicide and self harm, depression, rape etc... all of which probably shouldn't be exposed to someone of your age.