PLAY IT AS IT LAYS by Joan Didion

PLAY IT AS IT LAYS

Joan Didion

213 pages • first pub 1970 (view editions)

fiction classics literary dark reflective sad fast-paced
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Play It as It Lays is ideal for readers drawn to stark, emotionally intense explorations of existential despair and societal decay, told through concise yet haunting prose.

Description

A ruthless dissection of American life in the late 1960s, Play It as It Lays captures the mood of an entire generation, the ennui of contemporary society reflected in spare prose that blisters and haunts the reader. Set in a place beyond good and ...

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Community Reviews

3.91
based on 14,108 reviews

Moods

dark: 79%

reflective: 59%

sad: 58%

emotional: 53%

challenging: 32%

tense: 27%

mysterious: 10%

funny: 4%

adventurous: 3%

relaxing: 1%

Pace

44% of readers chose fast
33% of readers chose medium
22% of readers chose slow
fast
medium
slow

Plot or character driven?

1% of readers chose Plot
8% of readers chose A mix
88% of readers chose Character
1% of readers chose N/A
Plot
A mix
Character
N/A

Strong character development?

13% of readers chose Yes
43% of readers chose Complicated
41% of readers chose No
1% of readers chose N/A
Yes
Complicated
No
N/A

Loveable characters?

7% of readers chose Yes
41% of readers chose Complicated
50% of readers chose No
Yes
Complicated
No

Diverse cast of characters?

4% of readers chose Yes
5% of readers chose Complicated
86% of readers chose No
3% of readers chose N/A
Yes
Complicated
No
N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus?

92% of readers chose Yes
6% of readers chose Complicated
Yes
Complicated

Content Warnings

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