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After her quote about Christmas in Sacramento, I wanted to enjoy Joan so much. I discovered a scold instead. Her viewpoint is contempt, and its tiring (slouching). Sometimes its boring (a year of magical thinking). I found a guilty pleasure in her writing about Nancy Reagan, because I also despise Nancy Reagan.

The last time I tried to enjoy her was an essay criticizing the first carpool lanes in California.

I hope her work is lost to voices who see possibilities



On the other hand, right when you think you have her pegged as contemptuous, or boring, this beautiful essay on accidental wonders and catastrophes:

https://loa-shared.s3.amazonaws.com/static/pdf/Didion_Malibu...


Fascinated that you found Magical Thinking a bore, it has come back to me in my grief and proved immensely valuable.


I also loved magical thinking. Even though I haven’t experienced anything close to losing a spouse, it was a wonderful read.




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