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The Bell Jar
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Bell Jar Paperback - 2003

by Sylvia Plath


About this book

The Bell Jar is a semi-autobiographical novel written by Sylvia Plath, published in 1963. It tells the story of Esther Greenwood, a talented and ambitious young woman who struggles with mental illness and societal pressures in the 1950s.


The Bell Jar is a powerful and poignant portrayal of mental health and the pressures faced by young women. Plath's use of language and imagery captures the complexities of Esther's inner world, making the novel a powerful exploration of the human condition.


It’s Plath’s only novel, and the book is often regarded as a roman à clef due to its parallelism with the author’s own experiences and her struggle with mental illness. Plath committed suicide a month after The Bell Jar was first published.

From the publisher

A realistic and emotional novel about a woman battling mental illness and societal pressures written by the iconic American writer Sylvia Plath.

"It is this perfectly wrought prose and the freshness of Plath's voice in The Bell Jar that make this book enduring in its appeal." -- USA Today

The Bell Jar chronicles the crack-up of Esther Greenwood: young, brilliant, beautiful, and enormously talented, but slowly going under--maybe for the last time. Sylvia Plath masterfully draws the reader into Esther's breakdown with such intensity that Esther's neurosis becomes completely understandable and even rational, as probable and accessible an experience as going to the movies. Such thorough exploration of the dark and harrowing corners of the psyche - and the profound collective loneliness that modern society has yet to find a solution for - is an extraordinary accomplishment, and has made The Bell Jar a haunting American classic.

This P.S. edition features extra insights into the book, including author interviews, recommended reading, and more.

First line

It was a queer, sultry summer, the summer they electrocuted the Rosenbergs, and I didn't know what I was doing in New York.

First Edition Identification



The Bell Jar
by Sylvia Plath first edition was published by William Simmonds; London, 1963. It was bound black cloth-affect boards with spine lettered. Plath originally published it under the pseudonym "Victoria Lucas". The first edition pictorial dust-jacket was designed by Thomas Simmonds.

Details

  • Title The Bell Jar
  • Author Sylvia Plath
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition LRG
  • Pages 391
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Harper
  • Date September 23, 2003
  • Large Print Yes
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780060573096 / 0060573090
  • Weight 1 lbs (0.45 kg)
  • Dimensions 9 x 6 x 1.04 in (22.86 x 15.24 x 2.64 cm)
  • Reading level 1050
  • Library of Congress subjects Psychological fiction, Suicidal behavior
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC
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The Bell Jar LP
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Bell Jar LP

by Sylvia Plath

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used: Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780060573096
ISBN 10
0060573090
Quantity Available
1
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HOUSTON, Texas, United States
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This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
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Description:
HarperLargePrint, 2003-10-01. Paperback. Used: Good.
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£13.47
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The Bell Jar LP
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Bell Jar LP

by Sylvia Plath

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used:Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780060573096
ISBN 10
0060573090
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£21.90
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Harper, 2003-09-23. Paperback. Used:Good.
Item Price
£21.90
FREE shipping to USA
The Bell Jar
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Bell Jar

by Plath, Sylvia

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780060573096
ISBN 10
0060573090
Quantity Available
1
Seller
San Diego, California, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£55.76
£4.38 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Harper, 2003-09-23. Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
Item Price
£55.76
£4.38 shipping to USA