Reviews

South and West: From a Notebook by Joan Didion

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bmarchman's review against another edition

informative reflective fast-paced

3.75

A short but still excellent set of observations on the South from one of my favorite authors. I have had a passing interest in the American South thanks to some very good friends from the Gulf and other parts that have introduced me to what the region has to offer.

I do wonder why this book was released since it is far more sketches and impressions rather than solid continuous prose, but I still found Didion’s writing and thoughts, as always, to be original and captivating. I do think that her notes on California at the end of the book does little to add to what I think is a solid set of material on the South.

leeuhhhh's review

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3.0

3.5! not my favourite didion, but there were a lot of interesting bits

bookwookie's review against another edition

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adventurous informative reflective tense fast-paced

3.5

This is my second time reading this book, and I definitely enjoyed it much more than the first time. It’s scary to read Didion’s thoughts on the south that have become relevant today. I really really enjoyed it, but I feel like the ending part where she talks about California felt a little out of place, and I was hoping it would also be a discussion of places, but oh well.