Skip to content

The Bell Jar

The Bell Jar Mass market paperbound - 1983

by Sylvia Plath


About this book

The Bell Jar is a semi-autobiographical novel written by Sylvia Plath, published in 1963. It tells the story of Esther Greenwood, a talented and ambitious young woman who struggles with mental illness and societal pressures in the 1950s.


The Bell Jar is a powerful and poignant portrayal of mental health and the pressures faced by young women. Plath's use of language and imagery captures the complexities of Esther's inner world, making the novel a powerful exploration of the human condition.


It’s Plath’s only novel, and the book is often regarded as a roman à clef due to its parallelism with the author’s own experiences and her struggle with mental illness. Plath committed suicide a month after The Bell Jar was first published.

First line

IT WAS A QUEER, sultry summer, the summer they electrocuted the Rosenbergs, and I didn't know what I was doing in New York.

First Edition Identification



The Bell Jar
by Sylvia Plath first edition was published by William Simmonds; London, 1963. It was bound black cloth-affect boards with spine lettered. Plath originally published it under the pseudonym "Victoria Lucas". The first edition pictorial dust-jacket was designed by Thomas Simmonds.

Details

  • Title The Bell Jar
  • Author Sylvia Plath
  • Binding Mass Market Paperbound
  • Edition Later Printing
  • Pages 216
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Bantam, New York
  • Date July 1, 1983
  • ISBN 9780553260083 / 0553260081
  • Weight 0.35 lbs (0.16 kg)
  • Ages 14 to 18 years
  • Grade levels 9 - 13
  • Reading level 1050
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

No image available

Bell Jar

by Sylvia Plath; Lois Ames [Preface]

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780553260083 / 0553260081
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Boonsboro, Maryland, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$20.50
A$7.73 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Bantam, 1983-07-01. Mass Market Paperback. Good. 7x5x0. Softcover. Shelf wear/creasing. Good binding. Name on FEP. Toning/markings/underlining to pages.
Item Price
A$20.50
A$7.73 shipping to USA
No image available

Bell Jar

by Plath, Sylvia

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good with no dust jacket
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780553260083 / 0553260081
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$23.24
A$12.40 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Bantam. Good with no dust jacket. 1983. Paperback. 0553260081 . 6.8 X 4.1 X 0.7 inches; 216 pages .
Item Price
A$23.24
A$12.40 shipping to USA
No image available

Bell Jar

by Sylvia Plath

  • Used
Condition
Used: Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780553260083 / 0553260081
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$24.37
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Brand: Bantam, 1983-07-01. mass_market. Used: Good.
Item Price
A$24.37
FREE shipping to USA
No image available

Bell Jar

by Sylvia Plath; Lois Ames [Preface]

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780553260083 / 0553260081
Quantity Available
1
Seller
San Diego, California, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$165.15
A$8.44 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Bantam, 1983-07-01. Mass Market Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
Item Price
A$165.15
A$8.44 shipping to USA