A profoundly compelling semi-autobiographical novel by Sylvia Plath that delves into the complex world of mental health and the societal pressures faced by women in the 1950s, The Bell Jar centres around Esther Greenwood, a young woman who is both talented and successful but finds herself spiralling into a deep depression as she struggles to find her identity in a world that often seems suffocating and conformist.

The novel is celebrated for its sharp insight into the issues of mental illness, particularly in how it’s perceived and treated. Plath’s portrayal of Esther’s descent into mental illness is both harrowing and deeply personal. The title is a metaphor for Esther’s suffocation, mirroring her feelings of being trapped under a bell jar, cut off from the world, and unable to breathe.

It’s a timeless story that resonates with themes of self-discovery, resilience, and personal freedom.