Reviews

Play It as It Lays by Joan Didion

Only show reviews with written explanations

taintedfunk's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book has my favorite depiction of depression it truly slapped my inner loathing at my face, Maria’s descended into nothingness reels me into her life and all of her shortcomings invokes an understanding into her reasoning, that it is meaningless. There are a lot of reading in between the lines with this book, Maria’s avoidance of grief creates for an unpredictable narrative. We are led into an upsetting perspective of her abusive relationships, Maria is constantly being dehumanized and the exploitative world of show business ceases to help her condition. Although I had to give myself few breaks while reading, I love this authors writing style!

yc0210's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This and city of quartz will probably forever shape my views on LA (unfairly?). Maria is a very sympathetic character and I refuse to hear otherwise

bellari's review against another edition

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dark reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

klimperei's review against another edition

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funny mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

andotherworlds's review against another edition

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3.0

3-3.5 // “One thing in my defense, not that it matters: I know something Carter never knew, or Helene, or maybe you. I know what ‘nothing’ means, and keep on playing.”