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maddyreads89's review against another edition
reflective
tense
slow-paced
3.5
Lots of great stuff (Didion’s exploration of setting, the clarity and specificity of her prose, the exploration of narrative), but also a lot of frustrating bits, notably the explicitly political essays (looking at you “The Women’s Movement”). Overall, I love the style of Didion’s writing, but I don’t know enough about the 60s and 70s to be sure that she isn’t talking out of her a** like 50% of the time (*cough* “The Women’s Movement”)
jkstonge's review against another edition
4.0
I really love Joan Didion's work! It took me a longer time than usual working my way through this one, but I think that's more a testament to a busy month than to her writing. Joan Didion does require a certain headspace to really delve into, but once I'm in, I'm enjoying it a great deal!
abbyherzfeld's review against another edition
5.0
I don't typically read books of essays, however I had constantly heard good things about Joan Didion's writing. Although it took me a few essays to get into her flow of writing, Joan Didion exceeded my expectations. In this collection of essays, she is able to provide insight into the human and societal conditions of the 1960s and 1970s. Through a journalist's lens, she discusses the human elements behind Hoover Dam, orchids, vacationing in Hawaii, the Reagans, and so much more.
One particular quote that stuck with me was about the lack of societal disturbance for people of upper class America. "It is a life so secure in its traditional concerns that the cataclysms of the larger society disturb it only as surface storms disturb the sea's bottom, a long time later and in oblique ways. It is a life lived by millions of people in this country and largely forgotten by most of us."
One particular quote that stuck with me was about the lack of societal disturbance for people of upper class America. "It is a life so secure in its traditional concerns that the cataclysms of the larger society disturb it only as surface storms disturb the sea's bottom, a long time later and in oblique ways. It is a life lived by millions of people in this country and largely forgotten by most of us."
carmenfullarton's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
ecourt's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced