28 Jul Book Review of The World According to Joan Didion
The World According to Joan Didion: A Complex Reflection
Joan Didion has long been a literary beacon for me—a writer whose keen observations of life, grief, and culture resonate deeply with my own experiences. When I heard about The World According to Joan Didion by Evelyn McDonnell, I was excited at the thought of delving even deeper into Didion’s fascinating life and work. However, as I turned the pages, I found myself grappling not just with McDonnell’s insights but also with the book’s own identity, which felt a bit like a collection of scattered thoughts rather than a cohesive homage.
McDonnell’s examination of Didion is hard to pin down; it’s not a straightforward biography or a comprehensive literary critique. Instead, it’s thematically organized into one-word chapters—titles like “Gold,” “Snake,” and “Hotel” that hint at larger themes without fully unraveling them. I found this approach intriguing yet ultimately frustrating. A chapter dedicated to the evocative Santa Ana winds could have added rich context, especially since Didion herself often reflected on the winds’ emotional weight.
Throughout the book, McDonnell showcases her admiration for Didion’s style, though I couldn’t escape the feeling that her analysis often skimmed the surface. Phrases like “cutoff jeans” and “black silk dress” seem to lack the depth that Didion’s writing is renowned for. It left me hungry for more substantial examples that truly reflect Didion’s remarkable descriptive power.
One aspect that struck me was McDonnell’s candid acknowledgment of Didion’s complexities, especially her problematic relationship with feminism. As someone who also grapples with the contradictions of iconic figures, I appreciated McDonnell’s careful consideration, particularly when she discusses Didion’s 1972 essay that sharply criticized the women’s movement. It made me reflect on how we often idolize writers without questioning the ramifications of their beliefs.
McDonnell’s prose occasionally falters, too—sloppy editing led to inconsistencies that distracted me from her points, like misidentifying Didion’s biographer or flipping between news anchors discussing critical moments in Didion’s life. Little stumbling blocks like these add to the book’s disjointed feel, leaving me wanting a stronger editorial hand.
Despite its flaws, I believe The World According to Joan Didion has its merits. It serves as a conversation starter, illuminating Didion’s multi-faceted persona and leaving readers with more questions than answers. It’s a unique lens into Didion’s world, though I wonder who it best serves. For the Didion neophyte, it might feel too esoteric; for the die-hard fan, it risks feeling like an incomplete tribute.
Reflecting on my experience, I found McDonnell’s narrative prompted a renewed curiosity about Didion and the broader cultural implications of her work. With mixed feelings, I’d recommend this book to those who are already somewhat familiar with Didion but caution potential readers that it may not deliver the deep dive they expect. It’s a nuanced exploration, but not the definitive study Didion deserves.
Discover more about The World According to Joan Didion on GoodReads >>
