Great JD primer. Whenever I cross a four lane highway without having to break I think of Maria in Play It as it Lays. And whenever I think of grief I see her husband’s shoes in Year of magical thinking.
the concept of an american freeway truly boggles my mind. but i agree, i think her writings on grief are some of my favourites. i regularly think about the last few lines of ‘blue nights’
Great piece. Huge Didion fan. Slouching toward Bethlehem is by far my favourite essay of hers. I think there is so much similarity to our current culture and the wild immature rebellion she writes about during that time. Also, play it as it lays. A really cool novel for someone who doesn’t love reading novels. The sparse flash fiction chapters makes it a unique and compelling read. The scene of the main character driving on the highway crossing 5 lanes of LA traffic is vivid and perfectly written.
Thank you for this excellent synopsis of her publications. I have read White Album, which I loved. Yes I agree, it's a pure examination style of writing, which I like. Also loved Tell me What you Mean. And The Year of Magical Thinking is such a superb, heartbreaking evocation of grief.
Okay I've read this article of yours before and may have commented before, but just wanted to say this is so helpful as I plan to read more of her writing!
When I read The White Album, the timing was all wrong. I've picked up Slouching Toward Bethlehem recently, but didn't know it was a collection of her news articles!
The first Joan Didion essay I read was On Self Respect from Slouching Towards Bethlehem. I had just moved to Los Angeles, and no one better captured what it felt like to live there than Joan!
Your writing feels like a hug after a long day, please keep on writing 💗
this is such a lovely compliment thank you!! 🤍
this is so so so incredibly well put together. thank you so much for taking the time and effort to put this together!
omg elle thank you!! it took me days to put together hahaha
Great JD primer. Whenever I cross a four lane highway without having to break I think of Maria in Play It as it Lays. And whenever I think of grief I see her husband’s shoes in Year of magical thinking.
the concept of an american freeway truly boggles my mind. but i agree, i think her writings on grief are some of my favourites. i regularly think about the last few lines of ‘blue nights’
Great piece. Huge Didion fan. Slouching toward Bethlehem is by far my favourite essay of hers. I think there is so much similarity to our current culture and the wild immature rebellion she writes about during that time. Also, play it as it lays. A really cool novel for someone who doesn’t love reading novels. The sparse flash fiction chapters makes it a unique and compelling read. The scene of the main character driving on the highway crossing 5 lanes of LA traffic is vivid and perfectly written.
Thank you for this excellent synopsis of her publications. I have read White Album, which I loved. Yes I agree, it's a pure examination style of writing, which I like. Also loved Tell me What you Mean. And The Year of Magical Thinking is such a superb, heartbreaking evocation of grief.
Can't wait to explore these of JD's 😌❤️
Your writing is amazing. I’ve been wanting to read her work and you convinced me to splurge on another book thank you 🙏😇
hope you enjoy whatever you pick up! 🤍
Thank you for sharing !!! Cannot wait to go through all these books♡
Okay I've read this article of yours before and may have commented before, but just wanted to say this is so helpful as I plan to read more of her writing!
ahh i’m so glad! you’ll have to let me know which didion you pick up next 🫶🏼
When I read The White Album, the timing was all wrong. I've picked up Slouching Toward Bethlehem recently, but didn't know it was a collection of her news articles!
tbh i felt the same, i’m not american so the overwhelming american-ness of it could’ve put me off her work, but i’m glad i read her other stuff!
Thanks
Magical💌❤️🩹
One of my favorite writers, thank you sharing 💖
mine too, thank you for reading 🫶🏼
It’s my first time using this app
I really enjoyed your writing!!
thank you for reading!
The first Joan Didion essay I read was On Self Respect from Slouching Towards Bethlehem. I had just moved to Los Angeles, and no one better captured what it felt like to live there than Joan!
yes that’s such a good one! i definitely think slouching is her best collection
i love this!
thank you for reading! 🫶🏼