Sylvia Plath is a major cultural icon who continues to inspire new generations of female readers. *The Bell Jar* is one of the defining novels of the 20th century.

• 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'

Pages 234 Amazon Rating 4.3 out of 5 - 21,000 reviews Published 2005 Genre: semi-autobiographical.

1. Rating	7.5 out of 10
2. Recommended	Most people said they would recommend the book, but with a health warning, because it includes suicide and mental health issues.
3. Audience	The book would be suitable for both men and women of all ages, but perhaps not teenagers
4. Type of Read	The book was easy to read in terms of its structure but hard to read in terms of its content.
5. Quality of Author	Almost everyone agreed that the quality of the writing was very good. The imagery was excellent and reflected the quality of the author's poetry.
6. Other Observations	Some members had avoided reading the book in the past, because of its subject matter; but agreed they were pleased they had read it.