Books Completed: 41
Completion Date: March 2007
Publication Year: 2007
Pages: 240
Purchased in 2007
From one of America’s iconic writers, a stunning book of electric honesty and passion. Joan Didion explores an intensely personal yet universal experience: a portrait of a marriage--and a life, in good times and bad--that will speak to anyone who has ever loved a husband or wife or child.This book is one of those books that I have been hearing a lot about, so the other day when I was in the bookstore, I decided that I was going to pick it up and see what the fuss was all about. I like to try and read at least one non-fiction book each month, and this was my one for March.
I did not really find this book my cup of tea, and it could just simply be because I am not a wife and I do not have any children. I can see why it attracts other readers, but while it was a touching read, it was not really very relatable for me. The book talks about the authors loss of her husband and the long illness that her daughter was going through at the same time. It was interesting to read about the grieving process and just how much one person can go through before they fall apart.
I really do not know what to say about this book. I liked it, but yet did not like it at the same time. I think it is hard sometimes to say you love a book with such a depressing subject matter, but the book does show that there is hope at the end of the tunnel and you can get through the really hard things in life. So, while the book was written well and really captures the subject matter well, it just was not the right sort of book for me. It could be the subject matter, but it could also easily be the time that I chose to read it during.
It is hard to put this review into words that show what I mean.
3.5/5
I started this book about a month ago and only got about 1/4 of the way through it before returning it to the library. I had high hopes, but you're right, the subject matter was so depressing it was hard to get into.
ReplyDeleteI just read that book too and felt exactly the same way you did. Liked it, but certainly didn't love it. Very sad.
ReplyDeleteStephanie
www.thewrittenword.wordpress.com
There was something genius about this book that kept me reading. I simply love Didion. But it made me think about my marriage and how delicate time and health issues are... if anything one learns to live every day from this book!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVED this book...couldn't put it down. I don't think you have to be married to grasp it....just to be alive, in this world, to appreciate what a beautiful relationship they had, and how precious and fleeting those moments are with someone you love.
ReplyDelete