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The Bell Jar
- Narrated by: Maggie Gyllenhaal
- Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins
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Publisher's Summary
Read by the critically acclaimed actress Maggie Gyllenhaal.
When Esther Greenwood wins an internship at a New York fashion magazine in 1953, she is elated, believing she will finally realise her dream to become a writer. But in between the cocktail parties and piles of manuscripts, Esther's life begins to slide out of control. She finds herself spiralling into depression and eventually a suicide attempt as she grapples with difficult relationships and a society which refuses to take women's aspirations seriously.
Sylvia Plath's groundbreaking semiautobiographical novel offers an intimate, honest and often wrenching glimpse into mental illness. The Bell Jar broke the boundaries between fiction and reality and helped cement Sylvia Plath's place as an enduring feminist icon. Celebrated for its darkly humorous, razor-sharp portrait of 1950s society, it continues to resonate with readers today as a testament to the universal human struggle to claim one's rightful place in the world.
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What listeners say about The Bell Jar
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Renee
- 09-12-2022
One of my favourite books
-The way the writing and the tone of Ether’s outer and inner monologue changes as she sinks into ill mental health
- Themes still relevant to today (minus some problematic language)
-Perfect narration from Maggie Gyllenhaal
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- Anonymous User
- 02-02-2020
Audio is really quiet
I love this story but I do need to turn my earphones onto the highest setting and I find it hard to hear.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 26-07-2022
outstanding
Maggie Gyllenhaal was an excellent narrator. One of the best audiobooks I've listened to, Sylvias writing is just so powerful and poignant.
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- L-Ka
- 21-05-2020
Good story, great performance
The performance of Maggie Gyllenhaal really makes this book, she is great to listen to and really brings the main character come to life. The story is interesting and I enjoyed the book a lot.
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- Bella
- 02-02-2024
Great Narrator and story
I loved this novel, I was so sad when it ended. I think the narrator does an excellent job at conveying the tone of the protagonist. I will say it is definitely of it’s time with some racist and fatphobic commentary, something to be aware of before reading!
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- Colette
- 01-06-2017
Sylvia Plath Rocked
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes, I thought the writing and the reading of the book superb.
What did you like best about this story?
Sylvia Plath's use of language. Her ability to get inside her character and deliver that character to the reader was brilliant.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
All of them. I found the story flowed right throughout.
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
All people are created equal. Only society deems otherwise.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Terri
- 01-10-2016
Best Narrator
Maggie is Esther Greenwood. I loved her narration - A cautionary tale for all of us who sometimes are a little crazy. RIP Sylvia.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Chelsea
- 27-01-2019
Beautiful
Love the voices, love the setting. Just wished it was longer. Interesting poetic way of describing things for a novel
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1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 11-01-2018
Beautiful
Sylvia Plath's writing is beautiful and profoundly familiar to me as a young woman. Maggie Gyllenhaal's voice is light and soothing and suits the character well.
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- Anonymous User
- 11-08-2023
Intriguing story, beautifully delivered
I was captivated by both the story and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s performance. Couldn’t stop listening to this one. The tale is devastatingly depressing but rings so true.
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