danachou's review against another edition
4.0
A piece of writing in which the silences, breaks, and empty spaces between pages were almost as seething as the prose itself. This read felt like a feverish coma, jabbed with harsh pricks deep into the tainted and hellish fabric of a southwestern desert life in the 60’s.
carolsm10's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
born2frolic's review against another edition
5.0
“I concentrate on the way light would strike filled Mason jars on a kitchen windowsill. I lie here in the sun-light, watch the hummingbird. This morning I threw the coins in the swimming pool, and they gleamed and turned in the water in such a way that I was almost moved to read them. I refrained.
One thing in my defense, not that it matters: I know something Carter never knew, or Helene, or maybe you. I know what "nothing" means, and keep on playing.
Why, BZ would say.
Why not, I say.”
One thing in my defense, not that it matters: I know something Carter never knew, or Helene, or maybe you. I know what "nothing" means, and keep on playing.
Why, BZ would say.
Why not, I say.”
mothersudoku's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
abrswf's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. A novel about unbearable loss and anomie, filled with pitiless southwestern light and lost people. it was hard to read and hard to put down. I now understand why this book is famous.
neurottd's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
maria real as hell lowk
daniellam's review against another edition
5.0
Ah, what a treat (feels kind of wrong to say given the absolutely depressing narrative). But Didion’s words flow so exquisitely on the page, and it’s just really nice to read something this well written. The sharp, quick prose is entrancing and effective. The way the chapters leave you almost speechless, but also give you exactly enough. The silence is loud. So brilliant.
The story follows an actress in the late 1960s as she descends into a deep despair, shrinking smaller and smaller and withering into absolutely nothing. She knows life is just a game, and she’s continuing to play it, until she doesn’t.
Extremely somber, bleak, and tragic - unfortunately, also highly relatable and relevant in 2022. Don’t read if sad.
The story follows an actress in the late 1960s as she descends into a deep despair, shrinking smaller and smaller and withering into absolutely nothing. She knows life is just a game, and she’s continuing to play it, until she doesn’t.
Extremely somber, bleak, and tragic - unfortunately, also highly relatable and relevant in 2022. Don’t read if sad.
kayken556's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
viictoriaa's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
didion has a way with words. this was a very visual book, the tone and the vibe of the book was exactly what she wanted it to be. the characters were fucked up but they were actually interesting and i wanted to know more about them
would totally re read it in summer!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Drug use, and Emotional abuse