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.
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
More Copies for Sale
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
- Item Price
-
£13.47FREE shipping to USA
Show Details
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
- Item Price
-
£21.90FREE shipping to USA
Show Details
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
- Item Price
-
£55.76£4.38 shipping to USA