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The Bell Jar

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The Bell Jar

By: Sylvia Plath
Narrated by: Maggie Gyllenhaal
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About this listen

 READ BY THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ACTRESS MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL

'A modern classic.' Guardian

'A near-perfect work of art.' Joyce Carol Oates

I was supposed to be having the time of my life . . .

Working as an intern for a New York fashion magazine in the summer of 1953, Esther Greenwood is on the brink of her future. Yet she is also on the edge of a darkness that makes her world increasingly unreal. Esther's vision of the world shimmers and shifts: day-to-day living in the sultry city, her crazed men-friends, the hot dinner dances . . . The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath's only novel, is partially based on Plath's own life. It has been celebrated for its darkly funny and razor sharp portrait of 1950s society, and has sold millions of copies worldwide.

ONE OF THE BBC'S '100 NOVELS THAT SHAPED OUR WORLD'

'As clear and readable as it is witty and disturbing.' New York Times Book Review

©2015 Sylvia Plath (P)2015 Faber & Faber Classics Fiction Indigenous Creators Mental Health Awareness Women's Voices Emotionally Gripping Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Witty Mental Health
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I love this story but I do need to turn my earphones onto the highest setting and I find it hard to hear.

Audio is really quiet

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I hesitated to tackle this because of the subject matter however i am so glad I did. And the fact that the novel is based on real event makes it even more powerful. The main character’s intelligence and vulnerability are heartbreaking. Although very bleak at times, her struggles as a young woman finding her place in the world and her struggles with mental illness and treatment are relatable even today. And the reading of the novel was just beautiful.

Dont be put off by the subject matter

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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.

Good story, great performance

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Maggie Gyllenhaal was an excellent narrator. One of the best audiobooks I've listened to, Sylvias writing is just so powerful and poignant.

outstanding

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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!

Great Narrator and story

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