A book of common prayer (1977 original; edició 1977)

The story here reminded me a lot of a collection of stories by Deborah Eisenberg, though I found Didion's treatment of similar material a lot less tedious. The material didn't interest me a lot and neither did the characters, but the thing is just so well written that it was hard to put it down in spite of its lack, for me, of surface appeal. The Bogart character felt pulled right out of Gaddis and, though he was a vile character, his funny portrayal probably helped keep me in the book. ( )

This was my first novel by Joan Didion. I remember when I was in college her novels were frequently required reading in current literature classes, but I never had to read anything by her. I had a desire to, just never got around to it. I enjoyed my first experience most thoroughly and was quite impressed. She has a unique voice and a strong command of the language. This particular novel reminded me of [b:A Flag For Sunrise|241951|A Flag for Sunrise|Robert Stone|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1408312819l/241951._SY75_.jpg|818563] by [a:Robert Stone|41938|Robert Stone|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1510071443p2/41938.jpg]. I will say that you never felt you had a firm handle on some of the characters, but for me that was part of the attraction. You were always looking to the next description or the next dialogue to solidify the picture. ( )

The best of Didion's California novels, semi-autobiographical ( )

Grace, married into the wealthy, corrupt ruling family of a fictional Central American country called Boca Grande, reports on the death of Charlotte, an equally wealthy but younger California woman. Charlotte has had two husbands--the first an untenured brute named Warren, the second a leftist lawyer named Leonard--and numerous lovers, among them Grace's son Geraldo. She also has a daughter involved in revolutionary terrorism, Weather Underground style. Charlotte has come to Boca Grande, a country in more or less perpetual revolution, to escape these realities. One of the arguments in the book is whether revolutions and coups d'état are matters of personalities or social realities. Didion writes short declarative sentences that sometimes carry emotional weight. The title initially attracted me, but I have yet to discern its relation to the book. ( )

I read this book because it was chosen for the DukeReads alumni group. It's not one I would have chosen for myself, but that's why I use other people's ideas, isn't it? I found it difficult going, especially at the start. Didion's habit of repeating sentences and phrases was somewhat irritating, and I kept getting the male characters confused. But by the end I could see the beauty of this story, as the character of Charlotte is revealed through the eyes of the narrator. It seems to move slowly, but then suddenly you realize how much has been happening underneath the conversations and ruminations. This is a book that demands your attention, but has a beauty that makes it deserving. ( )