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A review by alisonburnis
A Book of Common Prayer by Joan Didion
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
In the fictional Latin American country of Boca Grande, the country teeters on the precipice of violence, as a presidential transition looms. Told by Grace Strasser-Mendana, a widow who is dying of pancreatic cancer and is wealthy, as well as part of the family who owns nearly the whole place, the story is in fact about Charlotte Douglas, another American woman who ends up in Boca Grande for vague reasons. She harbours the idea that her terrorist daughter, Marin, will come find her. Charlotte is vague and childlike; her ignorance about Boca Grande forms a lot of the novel.
Peppered with wealthy, unlikeable characters, A Book of Common Prayer is more a character portrait than anything else. This is a short book, and Didion crams a lot in here - almost too much. That said, her use of language and imagery is showcased well and makes up for any content shortcomings.
Peppered with wealthy, unlikeable characters, A Book of Common Prayer is more a character portrait than anything else. This is a short book, and Didion crams a lot in here - almost too much. That said, her use of language and imagery is showcased well and makes up for any content shortcomings.