Stiles tackles Plath novel

Julia Stiles is to produce and star in a film based on Sylvia Plath's only novel, 'The Bell Jar'.

Apr 25 2007

Julia Stiles will produce and star in an adaptation of 'The Bell Jar', the only novel written by poet Sylvia Plath.

Semi-autobiographical, the book focuses on the emotional breakdown of Esther Greenwood, a New York magazine editor whose growing despair leads to a breakdown and electroshock therapy. Plath herself suffered from depression, eventually committing suicide in 1963.

''The Bell Jar' is full of imagery that makes it perfect for the cinema' Stiles said. 'We look forward to finding a director who will capture Sylvia Plath's humour and vivid imagination to balance the story and surprise audiences.'

Once that director is found, Stiles plans to shoot 'The Bell Jar' in early 2008.