Books That Listen: How Two Stories Show Healing in Different Times

Books are more than just stories—they are mirrors that show us how people feel, live, and grow. One of the most powerful things a book can do is explore human emotions. How do people deal with sadness? How do they find hope again? And most importantly—how do books help us feel understood?

Let’s take a look at two books from different times:
“The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath, published in 1963
“Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman, published in 2017

Though written more than 50 years apart, both books talk about big feelings and emotional struggles. But the way they do it is very different—and worth exploring.

A Quiet Storm: The Bell Jar

The Bell Jar is a classic. It tells the story of a young woman trying to make sense of her world, all while struggling with deep sadness and confusion. The book was written at a time when mental health wasn’t talked about much. Many people didn’t understand it, and help was harder to find.

Reading this book is like stepping into someone’s mind when everything feels heavy and foggy. The main character (whose name we won’t spoil) doesn’t shout about her feelings—she holds them inside. The story is powerful because it’s honest, even when it’s painful. It gives us a glimpse of what it was like to feel overwhelmed in a time when people were told to “just be strong” and move on.

This book isn’t loud or fast. It moves slowly, showing how hard emotions can be when you carry them alone. Even though it was written long ago, many people today still feel connected to it. It shows us that feeling lost is not new—but it is human.

A Modern Spark: Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine

Now, fast forward to modern times. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is also about a woman who feels different and struggles with emotions—but the tone is lighter, even funny at times. The book balances sadness with humor, and it shows how connection, kindness, and friendship can help someone begin to heal.

Eleanor is a unique character. She says things in a blunt, honest way, and lives a very quiet life. But little by little, readers begin to understand what she’s been through. The book treats her emotions with care—never rushing her, never judging her. Even when Eleanor doesn’t understand her own feelings, the story allows her the time and space to grow.

What makes this book modern isn’t just the setting or the language—it’s the way it shows healing is possible, even if it takes time. Today, more people talk about mental health. Books like this help by showing readers that asking for help, feeling sad, or feeling lonely is okay—and more common than we think.

Old vs. New: What’s the Difference?

When comparing The Bell Jar and Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, we see how books have changed in talking about emotion:

Both books are powerful, but they work differently. The Bell Jar shows us what it's like to feel lost in a world that doesn’t understand. Eleanor Oliphant shows us how connection and gentle change can bring light back in.

Neither story gives “easy” answers, and both are respectful of how complex emotions can be.

Kids, teens, and adults all feel big emotions—sometimes they just look different. Books like these give us permission to feel, think, and heal. Whether you’re reading something written 60 years ago or just a few years ago, emotions are still at the heart of the story.

So whether you prefer classic literature or a modern novel, remember this: a good book doesn’t just tell a story—it understands you.