THE BIRD'S NEST is Jackson's third novel written in 1954. It is the story of a young woman, Elizabeth, who has multiple personality disorder. The psychiatrist in the novel, Dr. Wright, gives the four distinct personalities separate names: Elizabeth, Beth, Betsy, and Bess. As the novel opens, Elizabeth is working as a clerk in the local museum. She begins having headaches and backaches and then her Aunt Morgan, who she lives with, discovers that she had gone out late at night with no remembrance of doing so. Her primary doctor refers her to Dr. Wright who begins interviewing her and discovering the different personalities. The narrative goes from Dr. Wright's observation to what happens when "Betsy" decides to go to New York in search of her dead mother. Elizabeth winds up in a hospital where the fourth personality "Bess" emerges who seems to take most of the control.
This novel was very reminiscent of the 1957 movie Three Faces of Eve which I remember seeing back in the 60s on TV. I found out there is also a movie based on THE BIRD'S NEST called Lizzie. This movie was also made in 1957 so it may have been made as a result of the popularity of Three Faces of Eve. I'll be keeping an eye out for Lizzie, maybe it will turn up on TCM at some point. Anyway, this novel was usual Jackson fare with an unsettling tone throughout. According to Wikipedia, while writing The Bird's Nest, Jackson suffered from insomnia, backaches, and paranoia, symptoms similar to those the main character of the novel is afflicted with. Also Jackson was interested in the subject matter because she thought many personalities were contained within herself.
This novel was very reminiscent of the 1957 movie Three Faces of Eve which I remember seeing back in the 60s on TV. I found out there is also a movie based on THE BIRD'S NEST called Lizzie. This movie was also made in 1957 so it may have been made as a result of the popularity of Three Faces of Eve. I'll be keeping an eye out for Lizzie, maybe it will turn up on TCM at some point. Anyway, this novel was usual Jackson fare with an unsettling tone throughout. According to Wikipedia, while writing The Bird's Nest, Jackson suffered from insomnia, backaches, and paranoia, symptoms similar to those the main character of the novel is afflicted with. Also Jackson was interested in the subject matter because she thought many personalities were contained within herself.
