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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
2.5, rounding down—not rating quality of the writing/thought, per say, just the way this particular book resonated (or didn’t) with me...Not sure exactly what I was expecting from this book, but am somewhat disappointed—so many ppl rave about Joan Didion. This was an easy, quick read but definitely not fantastic. Still! Glad to have finally read my first Didion, and looking forward to reading more by her soon. I’m hoping her other work will seem to live up to it’s promise much more than this one did for me.
first Joan Didion.
her writing even in journal form is stunning. she does an amazing job at describing her travels in the south.
all I’m going to say is I can’t wait to read her other books.
Joan Didion I already someone I know I’m going to reread in the future, including South & West.
her writing even in journal form is stunning. she does an amazing job at describing her travels in the south.
all I’m going to say is I can’t wait to read her other books.
Joan Didion I already someone I know I’m going to reread in the future, including South & West.
I have been looking all my life for history and have yet to find it.
I actually don't have many thoughts to share about this. Didion's writing was obviously magnificent, but other than that the theme of this one didn't do much for me, to be honest.
Very disappointing, which is sad to say. Inspired, however, to keep reading more of Didion's novels.
I wasn’t in love with the concept of this book, though it was interesting to see the ideas that sparked Didion’s interest as she traveled through the south. Really most of the most interesting parts were in the introduction.
The experience of reading these notes didn’t quite live up to my expectations after reading the introduction. Didion’s notes about California are only about 10 pages and felt like reading someone’s rough shorthand, but she writes about California constantly and the value in these vignettes are for her views as an outsider in the south. Didion’s travelogue about the south is enchanting in the sense that I felt vicariously hypnotized as I read about how the south seemed to sedate her senses. The writing is also often funny in Didion’s signature self deprecating and observational ways, and at times becomes a more personal memoir.
if you go to the south and don't think about every line she says about New Orleans, you're a monster.
If I'm not mistaken, she quotes Noel Parmentel's drunk/crazed ramblings and threats and they are also incredible. HOW DOES SHE DO IT. The way she captures things.
If I'm not mistaken, she quotes Noel Parmentel's drunk/crazed ramblings and threats and they are also incredible. HOW DOES SHE DO IT. The way she captures things.
3/5 … Didion’s observational skills and attention to detail makes me want to pursue a career in journalism. i would like to write what i see and experience in the same way she did.
As a journalist, it's fascinating to read notes taken that never exactly developed into the story.
Joan Didion's notes about her month in 1970 driving about the South comprise most of this small book, as she seeks to understand this part of the country so different from her native California.
My fave line: "The time warp: the Civil War was yesterday, but 1960 is spoken of as if it were about three hundred years ago."
Joan Didion's notes about her month in 1970 driving about the South comprise most of this small book, as she seeks to understand this part of the country so different from her native California.
My fave line: "The time warp: the Civil War was yesterday, but 1960 is spoken of as if it were about three hundred years ago."
Didionin 2010-luvulla kirjoittama teos 1970-luvun muistiinpanoistaan. Kalifornian kasvatin kurkistus Etelään, vanhojen orjaplantaasien tyyssijoihin muistuttaa, miten erilaisissa maailmoissa Yhdysvalloissa eletään riippuen siitä oletko rannikoilta vai maaseudulta. Etelässä sisällissodasta tuntuu olevan vain muutama hetki, teinitytön tulevaisuus on vaimous ja kalifornialainen Didion jääkahvihimonsa kanssa lähinnä kummallinen kuriositeetti aivan toisesta todellisuudesta. Didionin omat näkemykset ja ennakkoluulot valuvat tästä vahvastikin läpi, mutta toisaalta tämä onkin enemmän muistelma- kuin reportaasiteos. Hienosti hän jälleen kirjoittaa, eipä sillä.
3,5 tähteä.
3,5 tähteä.