I finished The Bell Jar last night and loved it! It is basically a story about a young girl losing her mind, but it is so well-done (probably due to the autobiographical nature of the tale). For the first half of the book, you can relate to Esther. Sure, she has her neuroses, but I found her totally relatable. Especially when she is reading the story about the fig tree and can’t figure out which “fig” to pick (i.e., which path in life to choose). The second half of the novel shows her spiral and her struggle to get out from the suffocating bell jar. It is fascinating (especially for a former psych major like myself). The whole novel is extremely well-written. The book may make you feel a bit depressed at times, but I would recommend it to everyone. Definitely read this one at some point.
Next up: A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby
my books. my life. 
I really liked The Bell Jar too. I agree that you really can relate to Esther, which if you think about it, is scary, considering what happened to her. It really makes you think. I haven't read it in about 5 years, so I don't remember it too well, but I know that I did like it a lot.
LikeLike
I read the Bell Jar awhile ago. I think it was the first book RBC discussed–that's why I read it–so you should definitely find the old thread and add some stuff. I think I just didn't really understand a lot of the book. I remember the fig part, but I think that's all I really understood. I can't remember lol
LikeLike
I was reading some of that old thread yesterday. It was so sad – just you, Isa, and Dom. But it was interesting to read. Maybe I'll add my thoughts to it.
LikeLike