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The Bell Jar

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The Bell Jar

By: Sylvia Plath
Narrated by: Maggie Gyllenhaal
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£5.99/mo after 3 months. Offer ends on 5 July 2026 at 11:59 BST. Cancel monthly.

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'A literary rite of passage.' The Times
'Plath changed our world.' Guardian

Esther is supposed to be having the time of her life. Her internship at a fashion magazine is a whirl of cocktail parties and dinner dates in the shimmering city. But why doesn't she feel anything? Back home in the suburbs, she is trapped inside a suffocating bell jar . She can't write her novel; her boyfriend is a hypocrite; there seems no point in getting out of bed. As she spirals into darkness, her world becomes increasingly unreal ...

An unflinchingly honest portrait of a young woman's breakdown, Sylvia Plath's iconic The Bell Jar has transformed the lives of millions of readers since it was first published in 1963. Its witty, acidic, razor-sharp voice will stay with you forever.

ONE OF THE BBC'S '100 NOVELS THAT SHAPED OUR WORLD'

Reader responses:
'Plath's masterpiece . . . It's amazing how relevant this book still is.'
'I just couldn't put it down.'
'Ever better than I expected.'

©2015 Sylvia Plath (P)2015 Faber & Faber Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Mental Health Awareness Women's Voices Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Witty Emotionally Gripping Tear-jerking Mental Health
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Where does The Bell Jar rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my top audible listens so far. I have read the book as a teenager and then again at university, so I know it very well. But listening to it brought it back to life again. Maggie Gyllenhaal's performance is wonderful and does justice to Plath's vivid yet lyrical writing.

Any additional comments?

The only complaint I have is that this recording omits the opening paragraphs of The Bell Jar. Perhaps the reflective opening paragraphs were omitted to make the audiobook lively and gripping from the very first words but it is a bit of a shame for those who know this book very well.

Wonderfully performed

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Loved this rendition by Maggie Gyllenhaal and can't believe I hadn't read/listened to it sooner. A great read, found it hard to stop. Would recommend.

I can't believe I hadn't read it sooner

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What did you like most about The Bell Jar?

The honesty of the writing - my heart went out to this girl. Her depression and treatment was so well described - and while the character is not terribly likeable, I felt a great deal of sympathy for her. The writing is extremely good.

What other book might you compare The Bell Jar to, and why?

Kay Redfield Jamison "An Unquiet Mind & William Styron "Darkness Visible" both brilliant memoirs about depression.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Is enjoy the right word for any part of this book? - it's so painful.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A journey through depression.

A Harrowing Classic

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I loved this, having bought it as a Daily Deal and never heard of it before. The narration by Maggie Gyllenhaal suited the story perfectly, I really enjoyed her voice. It was a touching, intriguing tale of mental health, and I also enjoyed the story of Esther's work experience in New York. I will be recommending this book to friends, and will re-listen in future.

Intriguing story

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Not for everone but brilliant in it genre and for it's time. Well recommend but be prepared to have tear.

great

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