Classics · Literary
The Bell Jar
Esther Greenwood, a gifted college student on an internship at a New York magazine, begins to feel numb and shut off from everything around her. Her slide into depression leads to a stay in psychiatric care.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1963
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Short
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you want a sharp, honest and darkly funny novel about depression and the pressure put on young women.
Skip this if you are in a fragile place or would find suicide attempts difficult to read.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about The Bell Jar
- What is The Bell Jar about?
- Esther Greenwood, a gifted college student on an internship at a New York magazine, begins to feel numb and shut off from everything around her. Her slide into depression leads to a stay in psychiatric care.
- Who should read The Bell Jar?
- Read it if you want a sharp, honest and darkly funny novel about depression and the pressure put on young women. Skip it if you are in a fragile place or would find suicide attempts difficult to read.
- How long and how fast is The Bell Jar?
- It is a medium-paced, short read, first published in 1963.
- Does The Bell Jar have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Mental illness, Suicide.
- Can I borrow The Bell Jar for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Bell Jar; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Bell Jar?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Catcher in the Rye, Speak, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved The Bell Jar
-
The Catcher in the Rye Another classic of a bright young narrator who feels alienated from the adult world.
-
Speak
A younger, more hopeful story of a girl who withdraws and slowly finds her voice.
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One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
A story of psychiatric care from a different angle, more political and rebellious.
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