The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (3)

When a bid to seek out fame in New York City proves too much strain for the young writer to bear, she sinks into a deep depression and moves back to her hometown of Boston. Later, after undergoing electroshock therapy, the troubled Greenwood becomes increasingly suicidal.

Opening sentence - "It was a queer, sultry summer, the summer they electrocuted the Rosenberg's, and I didn't know what I was doing in New York"

I really didn't know what to expect from this book and it was only after I read it I found out that it was a semi-autobiographical novel and that alot of the stories related even though the names where changed was actual periods of her life ...

I have to say that I loved the beginning of the book and thought it witty and well written .. But then half way through the book she begins to suffer from depression ... Which really this is the main feature of the book ... How you can look at someone who you think has the perfect life when in reality they are suffering with inner demons. The book is based in the 60's and shows to your horror how if you where suffering from a medical disorder whether it was suicide or depression how they where treated in the institutions ....

It is a sad story of a woman who has the world at her feet and could have achieved greatness but didn't know how to cope with the depression ... It is also sad that Sylvia herself committed suicide even though she was a successful poet and novelist in her own right leaving behind two young children ...

This book is not necessary a happy book but deals with issues that are still as important today as they where in the 60's.

I rate this book 3 stars ***

There are a number of movies of the Bell Jar one that was done in the 70's another one about the life of Sylvia Plath with

Gwyneth Paltrow and one that has been planned to be made this year ... With Screen starlet Julia Stiles assumes the role of ambitious reporter Ester Greenwood. There are songs that have been written about her as well ... I have included a link to Sparksnotes if you concerning this book for your book club which gives you questions and breaks down the book into chapters with study notes ... http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/belljar/