Reviewed by Claudette Breaux
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath is often regarded as a classic piece of literature.
Written and set in the sixties, The Bell Jar tells the fictional story of Esther Greenwood.
Given the chance of a lifetime, Esther Greenwood wins a competition that takes her to New York City to work for a women’s magazine for a month. Lost in the whirlwind of extravagance and awful experiences, Esther struggles to stay motivated. When she returns to her home in Massachusetts, her life begins to spiral out of control as she starts to confront her burgeoning mental illness. After a failed suicide attempt, she is admitted to a hospital and spends the rest of the novel struggling with her personal and mental health issues.
It is clear why The Bell Jar is considered a classic. The simple writing style that is interspersed with dry humor both highlights and lightens the dark tone of the novel.
While not a lighthearted read, I loved the novel. It was poignant and well written, and I would definitely recommend this novel.
Claudette Breaux is a graduating senior in the Gifted program at Hahnville High, and she plans to attend Beloit College in Wisconsin. She enjoys knitting and reading.
Editor’s note: Book reviews are published weekly during the summer in agreement with Hahnville High School gifted English teacher Deborah Unger in conjunction with the Brown Foundation Service Learning Program.
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