The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (1963)

Another modern classic that I have never read and really should have done years ago. This was a big surprise because it was so enjoyable to read.

It is about mental illness, asylums, attempted and actual suicide, ghastly hospitals, ill health in various other forms and sexual assault. And yet it is really very funny to read, self-deprecating and gently satirical. Really entertaining black comedy in my view.

It must have seemed very original in its time and probably quite shocking for many readers as it deals with taboo subjects in quite a light heated way.

The title - the bell jar - refers to the central character's perception that she is isolated from the world with a metaphorical bell jar sitting over and around her and only breathes in her own stale air.

It proceeds episodically, with gaps of time between chapters and chapter sections, and thus at a pace.

A very engaging book, which is heavily autobiographical, and thus made all the sadder given that it was published shortly before Sylvia Plath did finally succeed in killing herself.