I highly recommend the book of the same title—a collection of her essays. I read it year or two ago, and it's excellent: gorgeous writing, and definitely a touchstone of the time. "I think we are well advised to keep on nodding terms with the people we used to be, whether we find them attractive company or not," from "On Keeping a Notebook," is something I think about a lot.
The essay itself is, of course, fantastic, but I find that, although she specifically tells us not to, it is impossible not to dwell on young children taking acid.
After her quote about Christmas in Sacramento, I wanted to enjoy Joan so much. I discovered a scold instead. Her viewpoint is contempt, and its tiring (slouching). Sometimes its boring (a year of magical thinking). I found a guilty pleasure in her writing about Nancy Reagan, because I also despise Nancy Reagan.
The last time I tried to enjoy her was an essay criticizing the first carpool lanes in California.
I hope her work is lost to voices who see possibilities
I highly recommend the book of the same title—a collection of her essays. I read it year or two ago, and it's excellent: gorgeous writing, and definitely a touchstone of the time. "I think we are well advised to keep on nodding terms with the people we used to be, whether we find them attractive company or not," from "On Keeping a Notebook," is something I think about a lot.
The essay itself is, of course, fantastic, but I find that, although she specifically tells us not to, it is impossible not to dwell on young children taking acid.
After her quote about Christmas in Sacramento, I wanted to enjoy Joan so much. I discovered a scold instead. Her viewpoint is contempt, and its tiring (slouching). Sometimes its boring (a year of magical thinking). I found a guilty pleasure in her writing about Nancy Reagan, because I also despise Nancy Reagan.
The last time I tried to enjoy her was an essay criticizing the first carpool lanes in California.
I hope her work is lost to voices who see possibilities
On the other hand, right when you think you have her pegged as contemptuous, or boring, this beautiful essay on accidental wonders and catastrophes:
https://loa-shared.s3.amazonaws.com/static/pdf/Didion_Malibu...