Big Read: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Get reading now for our September Big Read – The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.  

Widely regarded as a classic of American literature, the story follows undergraduate Esther Greenwood’s travels to New York and her subsequent breakdown and recovery. Regarded as semi-autobiographical, due to the parallels with Sylvia Plath’s own mental illness, is The Bell Jar just a young woman’s book, or does it have something to say to a society where discussions about mental health abound?

Gerie Herbert will introduce the book, followed by an open discussion of the following questions:

1. Is the Bell Jar a young woman’s book?

2. What, if any, humour did you find in the book?

3. Would Esther Greenwood’s journey be different today?

4. Does the book have anything to say today regarding conversations on mental health?

5. Do you find claims that the book is largely biographical fair?

Big Read is FREE for BRLSI members, £4 for visitors. You can register / buy a ticket via the booking section on this page or please feel free to turn up at 16 Queen Square on the day. This session will not be shown online.