New biography explores Sylvia Plath's life before Ted...

On the 50th anniversary of her death, a new biography explores the first 23 years of Sylvia Plath's life.

Andrew Wilson's biography 'Mad Girl's Love Song: Sylvia Plath and Life Before Ted'  draws on previously unavailable documents along with interviews with Plath's friends, boyfriends and family. It describes the world of Sylvia Plath before the night in 1956 when she met Ted Hughes.

I have many fond memories of reading Sylvia Plath's work. As a young woman in my early 20s, I found myself drawn to the tragedy of her life and untimely death and to her painfully personal confessional poetry.

In my early 30s, I spent the whole of a two week holiday Majorca in 1999 with my head buried in  'Birthday Letters', the collection of poems by Hughes depicting his turbulent relationship with Plath.

I read Plath's  'The Bed Book' over and over again to my two children when they were young. The Tank, North-Pole and Elephant Beds were firm favourites!

Wilson's book  is a compelling read, refreshing in its avoidance of the Ted/Sylvia soap opera. And for those who prefer to put their feet up and just listen, you can tune in to Radio 4's Book at Bedtime each night this week for readings from 'The Bell Jar'.