31 Days of Women’s Herstory: Joan Didion
Continuing my women’s history girl-crush love-fest, how could I not mention the icy yet fragile, never-a-word-out-of-place magnificent Joan Didion? In her 80s, even more fragile given the heartbreaking family tragedy she’s sustained, she’s been selected as the face (or, perhaps “ego” is more appropriate? I love you Joan, I’ve read all of your books, don’t give me that look!) of Celine: Slouching Towards Blendel’s
Read her fascinating interview with Paris Review, to understand how she discovered her own, absolutely unique voice, learning to write by typing out Hemingway’s paragraphs to acquire the rhythm of concise, effective writing: Paris Review interviews Joan Didion
I think Joan Didion is one of those writers who only gets “better” (if that doesn’t sound awfully presumptuous) as the reader acquires more life experience, and, hopefully, wisdom. That doesn’t mean that many of her characters don’t make me want to smack them for their full-on commitment to making atrocious choices. (In that sense, she’s a true heiress to Jean Rhys, whom I also adore, but who I can’t read unless I have a mug o’ wine handy, since her heroines all make such an art of destroying their lives, that my inner coach starts hyperventilating.)
You don’t have to be a woman, you don’t even have to like women–your loss, alas–but if you’re looking for great writing, Joan Didion’s oeuvre is an excellent place to start. I’ve been enjoying her writing since I was a teenager, and, like a fine wine, she keeps on getting better.
