South and West: From a Notebook (Vintage International)

Didion traveled the south heading west to cover the Hearst trial In San Francisco however the article never materialized. She concludes describing the west and her hometown In California presenting a contrast of western life as outward oriented unencumbered by extreme poverty and provincial staidness like that of the south. The south bored her with its lack of intellectual stimulation and obsession with the past.Didion’s tour of the south exposes and describes the building blocks to many political and societal problems we face today. Southern Racism feeding the White Supremest movement, a backward looking south, a fixation on the past, people of poor education, poverty from generation to generation, closed isolated minds from lack of education and worldly exposure clasping southern symbols of the past: the vanquished confederate flag, statues of conquered generals ......... leading to Charlottesville? Since the 1970s the south has enjoyed due to tax advantages, a lower cost of Living and milder climate - which now however bears more and more the effects of climate change - an influx of industry and big business. Technology stupendous and magnificent as it is has further complicated existence and has impacted everyone the world over. It is very apparent the south still possesses the effects of the 1970s and old south.The clarity and trenchant style of Didion’s writing is moving. Didion writes the facts for the reader to digest and think. She is an astute incisive prescient intellectual.After reading this book I could not but think about the present in my country. Why would a southerner or poor or middle class individual vote for a platform supporting wealth. Vicarious joy! Mindless and Unbelievable! Didion has provided the answers! Her further development would have been fascinating and enlightening.Who has taken advantage of globalization and ignorance. The political stage of our country today is occupied by a regime spewing division and hatred with intent to destroy democracy and replace it with authoritarian government run by big business. A mentally ill sick man lacking statesmanship, leadership and intellectual capabilities is being used as a Promotor to accomplish the destruction of the constitution and laws this country has created to foster freedom and justice and a government of laws. The elite are rifling the benefits the America people have worked for and have earned. The middle class now subsidizes the rich. Where is universal healthcare, free or low cost education to enhance the potential of American citizens, of civilization. These benefits exist in nearly all industrialized countries! These are inalienable rights Key to a healthy successful free country—-education and health. The American people have made this country great and only they can keep it great.I Highly recommended this thought provoking book of notes.

I’ve always found Joan Didion’s writing a mixed bag. While she is an excellent essayist, her fictional work is often dull, self-indulgent, and it’s not her strong suit. But even in her lesser work, she has a very strong ability to invoke vivid imagery. When this is applied to more introspective matters, the result is powerful, engaging, and often moving work that stays with you long after you have finished reading. She doesn’t just let us know about her world, she allows us to get inside her brain and see the world as she sees it.South and West: From A Notebook is her latest work, and it is slightly different from her more recent books. The thin volume contains two pieces: the first, a collection of assembled notes from a road trip through the South in 1970; the second piece compiles notes from an unreleased Rolling Stone article about the Patty Hearst trial. Thus, readers expecting a full, detailed, and well-toned and insightful Didion essays may be disappointed; she presents these two collections seemingly as-is.The first piece, entitled “Notes on the South,” constitutes the bulk of the text. As she and her husband drive through the Southern regions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, she documents the world around her – everything from tourist traps, small cafes, to swimming pools at cheap motels. She talks to locals ranging from business owners, sports figures, journalists, and beauty salon owners. What she is experiencing is a South that is growing, changing, adapting, and revitalizing itself in a modern, desegregated South. Didion’s writing is so vivid in its description of her travels that one can feel the humidity and the oppressive sultriness that is par for the course every Summer.But there’s a nagging feeling that “Notes On The South” isn’t meant to be a pleasant ride through Dixie. Didion’s ambivalence to Southern culture is somewhat obvious, and when she hears leaders of the community discussing the growth and opportunity that are coming to the South as a result of the changes in culture, one cannot help but detect skepticism about it. One also wonders if the reason her article never materialized is because the experience did not yield a confirmation of her notions as to what she and her potential audience might have expected. Things really were changing in the South, and believe it or not, they were changing for the better. Slowly, yes, but a gradual change is better than none at all.The second collection, “California Notes,” is brief—too brief, in fact, to be captivating. Once again, she does a good job at describing her surroundings, but there’s simply not enough substance to the section to gain any insight; it simply reads like what it is: a collection of notes and idea sketches. Disappointing? Not really; read once, it’s as interesting as viewing a roadside museum, interesting, but it doesn’t really warrant a return visit.South And West: From A Notebook feels very much like what it probably is: a posthumous work compiled and completed by its author and released before her demise. At 82, it is understandable why Didion would want to have a hand in defining the vaults of her notes an unreleased work. Though brief, South And West is a compelling read from one of the best essayists of our time.For more reviews of this nature, please visit therecoup (dot) com

Joan Didion is my favorite author. Every one of her books is in my library. It's the way she puts words together, carefully and thoughtfully without pretense. She hits the nail on the head. Her last two books spoke of her husband's death and the death of her daughter. So I'm delighted to see her come out with a book that speaks from long ago (1970s) about life in the deep South and in California. She has moved on despite this story's having taken place long ago. The photo on the back cover also speaks to moving on--a young Joan is holding a young Quintana on her lap, playing with the child's hair. If she does not write again, we are left with a feeling she has completed the circle and is at peace. Best wishes from an appreciative reader in Juneau, Alaska.

I had high expectations for this book, but was very disappointed. I have traveled extensively through Mississippi, Memphis, and the South. Her descriptions were empty and somewhat cliché to me. There is a lot more texture and depth to describe about the South, and she barely hit the tip of the iceberg. I certainly felt how vacant the journey was for her, and get that California is her place.

Not much has changed in the South since the Civil war.

Joan Didion cannot write anything mediocre, it is clear and this book is no exception. I am from the South and I learned much from her 50 year old observations. Bravo!Janet Griffin

Not read the book yet but heard it on Radio 4 Extra Sunday 17 September. It was read by Laurel Lefkow and I was so impressed I ordered the kindle edition immediately !

Great writing but too off key for most people I would say. Didn’t really touch my soul. Would I recommend this? No.

Happy customer

Bought for wife. Mediocre rating from her.