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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
abbie_paige's review against another edition
4.25
My first Didion!! This one definitely forced me to use my brain a bit more than usual but I kind of appreciated that
paulilie's review against another edition
3.0
I‘m sorry Joan, I will definitely try reading u again, but this was just plain boring.
cath_1001_v's review against another edition
3.0
I don't think I was smart enough to get it. Too clever for me at this point