South and west

From what I’ve read about this book elsewhere, it probably wasn’t the best introduction to Joan Didion’s writing. But it was the only Didion the library had in on that particular day. 
Ultimately, I enjoyed many aspects of this book. Joan Didion has an amazing eye for people and places. Even though the book is simply her notes, the lyricism in her writing comes through. Her notes inspire you to look deeper at everything around you, to become more aware. 
I can’t decide whether it would have been better to round these notes out more to make a more fluid book, or whether that would have ruined them.

Joan Didion cuts across the different regions and cultures of the South, capturing her disdain for them with insightful observations in crafted language. They're somewhat unfinished narratives, but complete nuggets of feeling. Having lived in or visited the places she describes changes my acceptance of her words from omniscient truth to an unreliable observer with her own emotions and biases, and helps me come away with a better appreciation of her person.

"In a time when we have come to associate untouched lang with parkland, a luxury, Mississippi seemed rich in appearance. One forgets that this is pre-industrial, not parkland purchased at great cost in an industrial society."

"'Nothing here for the kid with an engineering degree. And of course the girls go where they marry. Southern girls are notoriously husband hunting, but I guess that's the same anywhere.' It occurred to me almost constantly in the South that had …