close Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn
7 mins

20 Introspective Books Like “The Bell Jar” For Thoughtful Readers

Explore Deeply Human Stories With These Books Similar to "The Bell Jar"
by The Blinkist Team | Apr 25 2024

20 Deep Reads Like The Bell Jar for Thoughtful Exploration

“The Bell Jar,” by Sylvia Plath, is a profoundly moving account of a young woman’s mental health struggles and her journey through a breakdown, recovery, and everything in between. Situated in the early 1950s, it’s a poignant exploration of identity, depression, and the pressure of societal expectations on women.

For readers who found resonance in Esther Greenwood’s story, finding books with similar themes of introspection, mental health, and the female experience can be deeply enriching. This list of 20 books promises to offer that and more, providing a spectrum of voices and stories that navigate the complexities of life and the mind with grace, depth, and realism.
 

Top 20 best books to read if you liked “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath

 

1. “Girl, Interrupted” by Susanna Kaysen

A riveting memoir of the author’s time in a psychiatric hospital in the 1960s offers an unflinching look at mental health treatment and the journey towards understanding oneself.

Elements in common with The Bell Jar:

  • First-person narrative exploring mental health issues.
  • Themes of identity and the struggle to find oneself.
  • Insightful reflection on the female experience and societal expectations.

 

2. “Prozac Nation” by Elizabeth Wurtzel

This memoir delves into the author’s experiences with atypical depression, exploring the wider cultural implications of the condition.

Elements in common with The Bell Jar:

  • Intimate exploration of depression and its impacts.
  • A young woman’s struggle with societal pressures and personal identity.
  • A candid and unfiltered look at mental illness.

 

3. “The Virgin Suicides” by Jeffrey Eugenides

Told from the perspective of a group of boys obsessed with five enigmatic sisters, this novel delves into themes of youth, mental health, and the mystique of the female psyche.

Elements in common with The Bell Jar:

  • Exploration of suicide and mental illness.
  • A critical look at the objectification and mystification of women.
  • The impact of societal pressure on young individuals.

 

4. “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

A short story that serves as a powerful commentary on the treatment of women’s mental health issues and the stifling of their independence.

Elements in common with The Bell Jar:

  • Themes of mental illness and societal oppression.
  • A woman’s struggle for autonomy and understanding.
  • The use of a personal narrative to explore broader societal issues.

 

5. “Mrs. Dalloway” by Virginia Woolf

This novel intertwines the stories of Clarissa Dalloway, a high-society woman in post-WWI England, and Septimus Warren Smith, a WWI veteran suffering from PTSD, exploring themes of time, memory, and identity.

Elements in common with The Bell Jar:

  • Deep exploration of characters’ inner lives and mental states.
  • Themes of societal expectations and personal identity.
  • A critical look at the treatment of mental health.

 

6. “Ordinary People” by Judith Guest

The story of a family struggling to cope with loss and guilt, focusing on the teenage son, Conrad, who deals with deep depression and suicidal ideation.

Elements in common with The Bell Jar:

  • The impact of mental illness on individuals and families.
  • A young person’s struggle with identity and belonging.
  • An honest and poignant look at the path to recovery.

 

7. “She’s Come Undone” by Wally Lamb

This novel follows Dolores Price’s journey from childhood through adulthood, detailing her struggles with weight, self-esteem, and eventually, her mental health.

Elements in common with The Bell Jar:

  • A female protagonist’s struggle with self and societal expectations.
  • Themes of mental health, identity, and recovery.
  • A personal and intimate exploration of life’s challenges.

 

8. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky

Through letters to an unknown recipient, Charlie narrates his life of high school, family drama, and the challenge of burgeoning adulthood.

Elements in common with The Bell Jar:

  • Themes of mental health, belonging, and self-discovery.
  • A young protagonist navigating a complex world.
  • An introspective and emotional narrative style.

 

9. “Beloved” by Toni Morrison

Set after the American Civil War, this novel explores the traumas of slavery, motherhood, and the struggle for identity and redemption through the story of a former slave, Sethe.

Elements in common with The Bell Jar:

  • Profound exploration of psychological trauma and recovery.
  • Themes of identity, memory, and self-understanding.
  • A deep dive into the complexities of the human psyche.

 

10. “Norwegian Wood” by Haruki Murakami

Through the lens of Toru Watanabe’s memories of his college days in Tokyo, the novel probes deep into themes of love, loss, and mental health.

Elements in common with The Bell Jar:

  • The impact of loss and grief on mental health.
  • A contemplative and introspective narrative.
  • Characters grappling with their place in the world and understanding of self.

 

11. “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden” by Joanne Greenberg

This semi-autobiographical novel follows the story of Deborah, a teenager who, grappling with schizophrenia, finds herself in a mental hospital battling her inner world.

Elements in common with The Bell Jar:

  • A young woman’s mental health journey and healing process.
  • The struggle for identity amidst illness.
  • Insight into the experience of psychiatric treatment.

 

12. “An Unquiet Mind” by Kay Redfield Jamison

A memoir that offers insight into living with manic-depressive illness by a clinical psychologist who herself suffers from the condition.

Elements in common with The Bell Jar:

  • Personal and professional perspectives on mental illness.
  • The internal struggle with identity and societal roles.
  • A hopeful tone towards understanding and managing mental health.

 

13. “Revolutionary Road” by Richard Yates

April and Frank Wheeler are a young couple living in suburban Connecticut in the 1950s, outwardly happy but deeply dissatisfied, illustrating the emptiness of the American Dream.

Elements in common with The Bell Jar:

  • Critique of societal expectations and the quest for personal fulfillment.
  • Exploration of disillusionment and marital strife.
  • The tragic consequences of unfulfilled desires and mental turmoil.

 

14. “Girl, Woman, Other” by Bernardine Evaristo

Following the lives of twelve characters, mostly women of color, across generations in the UK, this novel explores themes of identity, feminism, and belonging.

Elements in common with The Bell Jar:

  • Multiple perspectives on gender, identity, and societal expectations.
  • Intersectional exploration of the female experience.
  • Richly drawn characters navigating personal and societal challenges.

 

15. “Wintergirls” by Laurie Halse Anderson

Lia and Cassie are best friends battling eating disorders, a story that dives deep into the complexities of mental illness, self-harm, and recovery.

Elements in common with The Bell Jar:

  • Young women grappling with mental health issues and societal pressures.
  • The internal struggle for identity and self-acceptance.
  • A raw and unflinching look at illness and the journey towards healing.

 

16. “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin

Set in the late 19th century, this novel follows Edna Pontellier’s struggle against societal norms and her own desires, exploring themes of autonomy, identity, and liberation.

Elements in common with The Bell Jar:

  • A woman’s challenging personal and societal expectations.
  • Themes of mental health and self-discovery.
  • A critical look at the roles imposed on women.

 

17. “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman

Just like Esther in “The Bell Jar”, Eleanor Oliphant, the protagonist in this novel, navigates societal norms while dealing with her own mental health issues. It’s a story about the transformative power of human connection, a theme we also find in Plath’s narrative.

Elements in common with ‘The Bell Jar’:

  • Presents a compelling, complex female protagonist.
  • Addresses mental health in profound and significant ways.
  • Explores loneliness, societal judgment, and the power of friendship.

 

18. “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt

A group of classics students at an elite college explore morality beyond the boundaries, leading to tragedy, in this exploration of beauty, decadence, and the consequences of intellectual arrogance.

Elements in common with The Bell Jar:

  • The dark underbelly of academic excellence and social isolation.
  • Themes of mental health, identity, and the loss of innocence.
  • A compelling narrative that delves into the complexities of the human psyche.

 

19. “Sylvia Plath: A Biography” by Linda Wagner-Martin

This biography of Sylvia Plath provides a deeper context to “The Bell Jar,” exploring the author’s life, struggles, and the societal contexts of her work.

Elements in common with The Bell Jar:

  • Insight into the background and themes explored in Plath’s work.
  • Understanding the intersection of biography and fiction.
  • The impact of society on the individual, particularly women, regarding mental health.

 

20. “Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson

High school freshman Melinda Sordino becomes an outcast after calling the cops at a party, dealing with trauma in silence until she finds her voice.

Elements in common with The Bell Jar:

  • A young woman’s struggle with trauma and its aftermath.
  • Themes of silence, identity, and the journey to self-expression.
  • An introspective and powerful narrative on healing and understanding.

In conclusion, while “The Bell Jar” holds a unique place in literature for its raw and insightful exploration of mental health and the female experience, many other works tread similar paths, offering rich narratives that challenge, reflect, and inspire.

This list aims to guide readers through an introspective journey across diverse stories and voices, each reflecting facets of the human condition with depth, empathy, and understanding. Embrace these tales of struggle, resilience, and the quest for identity, and may they offer light even in the darkest of places. Happy reading!

Blinkist-7-day-trial-banner

Start your free 7-day trial

Facebook Twitter Tumblr Instagram LinkedIn Flickr Email Print