Sylvia Plath’s only novel, The Bell Jar, was published in 1963 and is a semi-autobiographical account of Plath’s own life as a young woman struggling with depression and bipolar disorder. . The novel, which describes the debilitating feeling of depression as suffocating under a bell jar, is one of the best depictions of mental illness in literature published today. While many writers have undoubtedly been inspired by Plath’s novel and writing, it can be hard to find books like The Bell Jar that so expertly describe exactly what it’s like to live with mental illness.
Although Plath met a tragic end just a few months after her novel was originally published, many writers have been inspired by her contributions to the world of fiction, memoir, and poetry. If she’s looking for some books similar to The Bell Jar, these 8 titles are a great place to start.
You are reading: Books like the bell jar
8 books like the bell jar
girl, interrupted, by susanna kaysen
susanna kaysen’s 1993 novel girl, interrupted, perhaps best known for its 1999 film adaptation starring winona ryder, is a great choice if you’re looking for books like bell jar .
This memoir, set in the 1960s, follows a young Susanna Kaysen as she struggles with depression and borderline personality disorder. She recounts the time she spends and the people she meets at the remarkable McLean psychiatric hospital, where Sylvia Plath herself was also a patient.
The book expertly describes the isolating effect that mental illness can have on a young woman and also describes how mentally ill people were treated in the 1960s. Like the bell jar, it remains relevant today as a critique of how attitudes toward mental health have (or haven’t) changed.
prozac nation, by elizabeth wurtzel
Another bell-like book that follows a young writer battling mental illness is Elizabeth Wurtzel’s 1994 memoir The Prozac Nation. Again, this book is probably best known for its 2001 film adaptation starring Christina Ricci, however the ink-and-paper original is well worth a read, especially if you’re looking for something akin to the bell jar with a more modern setting.
the book follows a young elizabeth wurtzel as she battles depression while studying at harvard university and then begins her writing career in new york city, much like esther in bell jar.
>
The book once again draws attention to the general public’s attitudes towards mental illness and the stigma attached to those struggling with depression. it does bring up that society has, in fact, come a long way in normalizing chemical imbalances and understanding mental illness, however, it is still clear that there is a long way to go.
the yellow wallpaper, by charlotte perkins gilman
as one of the most seminal short stories to be published in the late 19th century and is believed to have paved the way for such writers as sylvia plath, charlotte perkins gilman’s 1892 short story the yellow wallpaper is an excellent choice if you are looking for some books like the bell jar.
See Also: 8 of the Best Books for Christian Entrepreneurs in 2022 – Agape Investing
The story follows a young woman’s slow descent into madness and the dynamic between her and her well-meaning but uncomprehending husband. as a way to recover from a “temporary nervous breakdown” and a “slight hysterical tendency”, she and her husband decide to spend the summer in a country house. the room they choose has many windows which he believes will help her heal, however the walls are covered in torn yellow wallpaper which becomes a point of distress for the protagonist.
As the story progresses, she slowly descends further and further into madness as thoughts about why this wallpaper is torn drive her more and more insane. this story did an excellent job of drawing public attention to how women struggling with mental illness were treated in the late 19th century and how it has been the subject of many different feminist interpretations.
Because of its impact, the yellow wallpaper is still widely read and studied today and is a good read if you want to see what paved the way for writers like sylvia plath and want to read plus. books like the bell jar.
the perks of being an outcast, by stephen chbosky
If you’re looking for a more modern book like Bell Jar, you might enjoy Stephen Chobosky’s seminal work, The Perks of Being a Wallflower. This epistolary novel published in 1999 follows 15-year-old Charlie, an introverted high school freshman who navigates his life and new friendships in the wake of the suicide of his best friend.
The Perks of Being an Outcast expertly and empathetically portrays the isolating struggles of how depression and mental illness affect young people and has helped its readers not feel so alone in the world since its publication.
although it has a slightly happier ending than sylvia plath’s novel, the perks of being an outcast is one of the best books to read if you’re looking for novels similar to bell jar. since they both follow similar themes.
mrs. dalloway, by virginia woolf
As one of Virginia Woolf’s most notable works, the 1925 novel Mrs Dalloway is an excellent choice for you if you’re looking for books like Bell Jar. This stream of consciousness novel follows the day of socialite Clarissa Dalloway as she struggles with the social expectations of the time and class of her.
The novel draws parallels to the bell jar in regards to the character of septimus, a shaken World War I veteran, and his critique of how mental illness was handled in the early 20th century. Also, like in the Bell Jar, Septimus’ struggles with PTSD are thought to be inspired by Woolf’s own struggles with bipolar disorder.
mrs dalloway, like the bell jar, did much in her day to bring to the general public’s mind the daily internal struggles people can have with mental illness and the work that can be done to support those who struggle.
it’s a funny story, by ned vizzini
ned vizzini’s 2006 novel is a somewhat funny story is a great choice if you’re looking for a novel like bell jar, especially if you like to explore the trials and tribulations of battling depression and depression. mental diseases. .
The novel follows 15-year-old Craig, who is admitted to a psychiatric hospital after experiencing suicidal thoughts due to the pressure of his competitive high school, feelings of alienation, and undue amounts of stress. The novel follows Craig as he navigates life on the psych ward, the relationships he establishes there, and how he learns to care for his own mental health.
Like The Bell Jar, It’s a fun story It’s based on Vizzini’s own experiences being admitted to a psychiatric hospital as a young man. Unfortunately, like Plath herself, he never fully recovered from his depression and tragically ended his life in 2013.
turtles to the bottom, by john green
although not about depression, john green’s 2017 novel turtles to the bottom is one of the best portrayals of mental illness published today and is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for more books like the bell jar.
See Also: The Best Physical Therapy Books – The &039Go-To&039 Physio
Turtles to the End follows Aza Holmes, a 16-year-old high school student struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder and crippling anxiety. Both misunderstood and often misrepresented mental illnesses in the media, John Green draws from his own experiences struggling with OCD to expertly and empathetically convey the horrible thought patterns and spirals that occur with those living with this illness. mental in particular.
however,
Turtles to the Bottom is a compelling and moving story that is not just about battling mental illness. It contains topics such as the importance of supportive friendships and family relationships and how to deal with real feelings of hopelessness and pain.
Have you already read this novel? check out our list of books like turtles until the end!
drinking greedily, by carrie fisher
memoirs of the late carrie fisher wishful drinking may not be the first title that comes to mind when searching for books like bell jar glass, however it is an excellent book to add to your list Read if you want an honest, self-deprecating, and humorous account of what it’s like to live with mental illness in the public eye.
Carrie Fisher was obviously most famous for her portrayal of Princess Leia in the Star Wars movies, for being the daughter of actress Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, and for her exceptional wit and talent as an actress, writer, and comedian. .
In Wishful Drinking, Fisher describes with refreshing candor her struggles with bipolar disorder and what she did to overcome it and live a functional life despite it. Fisher’s candor in discussing his mental illness helped many people become more comfortable with their own struggles and greatly destigmatized both bipolar disorder and mental illness in general. in fact, she was so open about how she sought treatment for her problems that she had her urn shaped like a prozac capsule.
if you want to read an infinitely more humorous depiction of mental illness without trivializing the struggles, then carrie fisher’s wishful drinking is a great book to learn from!
Finding books like The Bell Jar that describe mental illness well and with empathy can be a struggle, however there are a number of titles that can help those struggling feel less alone while educating others. no. have a history of mental illness.
Are you looking for books like the bell jar? Do you have any suggestions that are not on the list? tell us in the comments!
See Also: 40 Brilliant Wordless Picture Books for Kids and Adults