The Year of Magical Thinking

by Joan Didion

Grief turns out to be a place none of us know until we reach it.

December 2003 was a difficult month for writer Joan Didion. Her daughter, Quintana, fell ill with pneumonia, which led to septic shock and an induced coma. A few days later, Joan’s husband, John Gregory Dunne, died of a heart attack in their home.

TYOMT focuses on Didion’s attempt to come to terms with her husband’s death and her daughter’s illness. I’m not going to lie: this is one self-absorbed, whiney memoir. I cannot recommend this to anyone. Ever.

2/27/2013