A review by kaceyyy
Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion

5.0

Loved loved loved.  Didion’s writing style was impeccable and she has such a clever and interesting way of viewing the world.  My favourite essays were -
  • Where the kissing never stops 
  • Comrade Laski, C.P.U.S.A (M.-L.)
  • 7000 Romaine, Los Angeles 38
  • California dreaming 
  • Marrying absurd (this one was about marrying in Vegas and that element of American culture rlly stood out to me)
  • Slouching towards Bethlehem 
  • On keeping a notebook
  • On self-respect (very introspective and profound)
  • I can’t get that monster out of my mind (all about the heartlessness and destructive element of Hollywood - super interesting)
  • Notes from a native daughter 
  • Rock of ages (about Alcatraz island - such a short essay but it stood out to me so much and the ending was so harrowing)
  • The seacoast of despair 
  • Los Angeles notebook (the subject of the Santa Ana winds drew me in the most to this essay)
  • Goodbye to all that (such an interesting essay on discovering a new place to live, New York in the 60s and the impact of loneliness and being young - also a great way to end the book)