Thank you - your essay is a great spur for me to bring down from my shelves all her work which I’ve collected and enjoyed over the years. I was lucky to hear her read from A Year of Magical Thinking in Washington. Such a powerful writer - with sentences that can electrify even after many rereading. And I’ll seek out the documentary you mention.
Thanks, Mitch! I'm glad the piece inspired a re-reading. I am insanely envious that you got to hear her read; what an absolute treat to cherish, especially now she's gone. I hope you enjoy the documentary : )
Ok, first of all, you and I share the same brain. I love where your thoughts go every week. Haha!! Anyway, I remember reading Slouching Toward Bethlehem as an English major, and I literally couldn't believe that writing could look like that. I fell for Didion in an instant. I saw her speak in DC at the Armory after she wrote The Year of Magical Thinking, and I cried in the audience. That is definitely my favorite book of hers. Lastly, the mother of the main character in my novel is very lightly inspired by Didion. I'm fascinated by these women who were strong feminists and thinkers at a time when it was very unpopular to be like that. Thank you for taking me on this journey through her work. What a treat. xo
Thank you so much, Brooke! As you can tell, I was also blown away when I first discovered Didion's writing and unique style of journalism. I became slightly obsessed! She encompassed everything I thought of as being a successful writer. What a treat to have seen her, I am insanely jealous! Magical Thinking is such an amazing book, I agree. I would love to have seen the stage play also. How interesting that your character was inspired by her!
Really enjoy you put together elements of Didion's home with her work. Upon hearing of her death, I ordered a "Library of America" anthology of several of the above works and am slowly making my way through (in random order). I can see what you mean about the work at sentence level, and it's not always the same. Her style shifts with her subjects. The rhythms also tell the story.
What a beautiful description of Didion & her work! I love that she slept in the same room as her writing so it wouldn’t leave her!
Thanks Jillian! Me too, I thought it really showed how close she felt to her words.
Yes, exactly!
Thank you - your essay is a great spur for me to bring down from my shelves all her work which I’ve collected and enjoyed over the years. I was lucky to hear her read from A Year of Magical Thinking in Washington. Such a powerful writer - with sentences that can electrify even after many rereading. And I’ll seek out the documentary you mention.
Thanks, Mitch! I'm glad the piece inspired a re-reading. I am insanely envious that you got to hear her read; what an absolute treat to cherish, especially now she's gone. I hope you enjoy the documentary : )
What a brilliant and vivid description of Joan Didion. She really was a true great.
Thank you! : )
I'll come back to this article again and again, aaaah such a beautiful piece. Keep writing, Kate :)
Ah, thanks so much, Anuska! That means so much : )
This was a beautiful read - I feel like I need to come back and read it again so I can digest everything! She was a marvel. ✨
She really was, Charlene! Thank you for reading and for your kind comments : )
Ok, first of all, you and I share the same brain. I love where your thoughts go every week. Haha!! Anyway, I remember reading Slouching Toward Bethlehem as an English major, and I literally couldn't believe that writing could look like that. I fell for Didion in an instant. I saw her speak in DC at the Armory after she wrote The Year of Magical Thinking, and I cried in the audience. That is definitely my favorite book of hers. Lastly, the mother of the main character in my novel is very lightly inspired by Didion. I'm fascinated by these women who were strong feminists and thinkers at a time when it was very unpopular to be like that. Thank you for taking me on this journey through her work. What a treat. xo
Thank you so much, Brooke! As you can tell, I was also blown away when I first discovered Didion's writing and unique style of journalism. I became slightly obsessed! She encompassed everything I thought of as being a successful writer. What a treat to have seen her, I am insanely jealous! Magical Thinking is such an amazing book, I agree. I would love to have seen the stage play also. How interesting that your character was inspired by her!
Really enjoy you put together elements of Didion's home with her work. Upon hearing of her death, I ordered a "Library of America" anthology of several of the above works and am slowly making my way through (in random order). I can see what you mean about the work at sentence level, and it's not always the same. Her style shifts with her subjects. The rhythms also tell the story.