The Bell Jar

Dark, witty and painful, Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar has disturbed and enthralled readers from the moment it was published under a pseudonym in 1963 – months before the poet and writer killed herself.

Now the novel is once again stirring up strong emotions, with the publisher Faber accused of portraying the book as glorified chick lit through its design for the book's 50th anniversary edition.

The cover – featuring a young woman fixing her makeup in a powder compact – has been criticised for misrepresenting the work and trivialising its content. continue reading