The Bell Jar

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Esther Greenwood is a young woman in New York on a summer internship.  Although she is intelligent and attractive, she is having difficulties coping, and ultimately succumbs to a deep depression. 

Blech.  I think I would have rather read Plath's autobiography than this novel.  I didn't care about Esther.  It made me feel guilty, since I realize it was based on the author's sad, short life.  That's probably why this book is considered a must-read classic. The storyline was boring, which is sad considering it's about someone trying to overcome a mental breakdown.  I wanted to know what happened in Esther's childhood, or anything that helped me understand her, not just read about asylums and shock therapy.