Author: Sylvia Plath / Year: 1932-1963 / Genre: Historic Novels The Bell Jar, written by Sylvia Plath, is a semi-autobiographical novel that explores the inner turmoil of its protagonist, Esther Greenwood. Set in 1950s America, Esther's story revolves around her life as a young, ambitious woman experiencing the world of magazine publishing in New York City. However, beneath the façade of success, Esther grapples with feelings of disconnection, societal pressures, and an ever-deepening sense of despair.