Scan barcode
lottie1803's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
carokfulf's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely bits here that haven't aged well here (on women-- woof), but Didion remains a genius of effortless prose and a powerful conjurer of place and feeling.
mindthebook's review against another edition
3.0
What I love: slå mig ner på ett kafé och sträckläsa en bok.
Inleds med de bevingade orden "We tell ourselves stories in order to live".
Lästips från detta radioprogram http://sverigesradio.se/sida/avsnitt/682721?programid=767
Inleds med de bevingade orden "We tell ourselves stories in order to live".
Lästips från detta radioprogram http://sverigesradio.se/sida/avsnitt/682721?programid=767
randi108's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Reading this essay collection, like any of Didion's work, is an experience. Her writing was truly at its peak during this time, and her voice was as sharp, cynical, and detached as ever. What makes Didion so unique is that in many ways I find her completely unlikable. She is often a disillusioned, pessimistic name-dropper who frequently makes points I flat out disagree with. But the amazing thing about Didion is that I just can't help but love her and her work. She captures such a clear snapshot of a period long gone, and whatever negatives one has to say about her, it cannot be disputed that she can write.
One standout moment of peak Didion occurs in the main essay, "The White Album," when she includes a full psychiatric report describing a woman with a "distorted and bizarre fantasy life, functioning in an intellectually impaired fashion." She then reveals that this report was about her and was made the same year she was named Woman of the Year by the Los Angeles Times.
As I mentioned, and as many others have pointed out, Didion loves to casually mention all her celebrity friends and acquaintances, and honestly, I take the bait every time. Reading about her run-ins with The Doors, Janis Joplin, and Roman Polanski is wild. It's like a time capsule of late 60s Hollywood, but with Didion's bitter twist.
The essays in "The White Album" vary in their timelessness. "James Pike, American" felt somewhat dated, requiring cultural context I lacked to fully appreciate. In contrast, "Good Citizens" remains remarkably relevant and showcases Didion at her best. Her scathing critique of Hollywood's superficial political discourse could easily apply to today's social media activism. Didion's ability to dissect the oversimplification of complex issues into "good vs. bad" narratives is particularly insightful and enduring.
What truly sets Didion apart is her talent for transforming seemingly mundane topics into captivating prose. Essays on traffic patterns and water management, subjects that would typically bore, become engaging topics with Didion voice.
Didion's essay on "The Women's Movement" presents a more complicated legacy. While she raises some valid critiques, her overall stance comes across as surprisingly anti-feminist. It's a testament to the power of her writing that she's become something of a feminist icon despite this contentious piece. This paradox highlights Didion's complex relationship with the movements and ideologies of her time, as well as the enduring impact of her work beyond its immediate contex
Throughout "The White Album," Didion's disillusionment takes center stage. She approaches every topic with skepticism, particularly group thinking and the tendency to politicize personal experiences. Her criticism of how individual struggles are often framed as broader political issues, especially in feminism and social movements, is both incisive and controversial. This perspective, while sometimes abrasive, adds depth to her observations and challenges readers to question their own assumptions.
Overall "The White Album" shows why Didion's has such fame and prestige. Her writing is beautiful but harsh, insightful but provocative. While her constant name-dropping and her tendency to present her personal experiences as universal truths, might cause you to roll your eyes at times, her magnetic writing style keeps you engaged.