To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publication of Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar, we’ve recruited five reading groups to share their thoughts about the book.
About the Rugby School Group
Ethan: I love writing, particularly poetry, plays and music. I set-up this group at school shortly after the end of a series of weekly classes on James Joyce’s Ulysses, so I hope that The Bell Jar will be far less challenging, but equally as enriching and interesting.
Livvy: I read The Bell Jar when I was younger, and have joined this reading group because I want to discuss it with my friends. I recently read some of Plath’s poetry which I enjoyed, and so I am looking forward to getting to know The Bell Jar better.
Franny: I love reading, and enjoy plays more than anything else. My favourite genre is probably American 20th century literature, but that is not to say I do not indulge in Shakespeare from time to time! The most thought-provoking plays I have encountered of late are Polly Stenham’s That Face and Tusk Tusk, and as for novels, I have recently finished Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks, and enjoyed it immensely.
Margot: My favourite books include Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh, Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell and anything at all by Sebastian Faulks or Robert Harris. I really like what I’ve read of Sylvia Plath’s work so far, as well as Ted Hughes’ poetry.
Polly: I’m profoundly interested in literature, and I have very eclectic taste, which encompasses everything from PG Wodehouse to Mikhail Bulgakov. I am particularly interested in Victorian and feminist literature, which is why I’m particularly excited about this project. I can’t possibly chose a favourite book, but my favourite literary character is probably Lucy Honeychurch from A Room with a View.
Annie: I love reading just about anything that’s well written but my favourite authors (and the ones that I’ve read the most of) are Sebastian Faulks and Iain Banks. The novels I enjoyed the most by these authors include Birdsong and The Wasp Factory. I am currently reading The Crow Road by Iain Banks.
