topic Re: BIOGRAPHY OF JOAN DIDION-- "THE LAST LOVE SONG" in Book Club

BIOGRAPHY OF JOAN DIDION-- "THE LAST LOVE SONG"

Oznell — Sun, 14 May 2023 23:30:41 GMT

We've had a number of discussions of the late, great Joan Didion over time on the forums, but don't know if anyone has brought up this 2015 biography by Tracy Daugherty. Apologies if this book has already been dissected here.

How did I miss this book?! It's billed as the first written biography of her life. Novelist and essayist Daugherty was new to me, but his literary bios of Donald Barthelme and Joseph Heller were very well-received.

So far, "The Last Love Song" is tops, for either long-time Didion fans, or anyone newly drawn to the sheer drama and brilliance of her life and work.

He goes totally microscopic on his subject, even probing her family's pioneer origins trekking from Arkansas to California in the 19th century, and showing how that so influenced her sense of herself, and her sense of place, as a person of the Great Central Valley in a sadly, now-vanished California.

Just a few tidbits: Daugherty is the first writer to get Noel Parmentel to go on the record about his tumultuous, hugely influential relationship with Joan in her early years in the magazine world in New York. He's the elusive, unnamed male whom she can't quite capture, as she wrote about in her poignant essay about her time there, "Goodbye to All That". He wouldn't marry her-- but he introduced her to John Gregory Dunne, who would, and the rest is history...

I'm not there quite yet, but Daugherty has started to make reference to the difference between the increasingly stark reality of Joan's daughter Quintana's life, and the seemingly touched-up, gilded allusions to her that Didion makes in some of her writings. At least in her daughter's younger years, before the final illness that Didion chronicled so painfully. Just one of the contradictions in this complex writer's life.

Anyway, I'm only part way through, but can pretty much guarantee that this is one biography I'll finish, and probably end up wishing for more...

Re: BIOGRAPHY OF JOAN DIDION-- "THE LAST LOVE SONG"

Somertime — Mon, 15 May 2023 01:01:35 GMT

@Oznell A good companion piece would be the documentary: Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold directed by Griffin Dunne, Dominick Dunne's son. It's on Netflix.

Re: BIOGRAPHY OF JOAN DIDION-- "THE LAST LOVE SONG"

Oznell — Mon, 15 May 2023 13:52:32 GMT

Can just imagine how good that documentary is, @Somertime , -- too bad we don't have Netflix.

Have you seen it, and what do you take away from it?

Re: BIOGRAPHY OF JOAN DIDION-- "THE LAST LOVE SONG"

KKWA — Mon, 15 May 2023 14:14:28 GMT

I saw the documentary, and I thought it was fabulous. I had not known of her. Now thanks to you. I am anxious to read the book. She was an amazing human being.

Re: BIOGRAPHY OF JOAN DIDION-- "THE LAST LOVE SONG"

Somertime — Mon, 15 May 2023 15:01:14 GMT

@Oznell Yes, I have seen it. She was, always, physically small but she is frail in this documentary. It's as if life has extracted it price. She speaks of her life in NY, California, NY,, her daughter, her husband, etc. She was on the wild side in her younger years, drugs, drinking, parties, good times, etc. She appears to not make waves no matter how difficult John was or her daughter.............it's as if she is storing it all up in order to be able to write. There is more of a magic in hearing her voice in the telling of her story. There is a strong fondness between her and Griffin Dunne.

I'm sorry Netflix is not available to you because as I said it would be a good follow up to the book you are reading.

Re: BIOGRAPHY OF JOAN DIDION-- "THE LAST LOVE SONG"

Oznell — Tue, 16 May 2023 12:21:42 GMT

Oh, good, @KKWA . If you do read it, would welcome your thoughts.

Thanks for your critique of the documentary, @Somertime -- it does sound very good. Whatever her other characteristics ( and I don't find her without flaw, by any means ) there's no denying that when she speaks, there is always that enduring, gem-like intelligence, and eerie intuition, so evident.

Re: BIOGRAPHY OF JOAN DIDION-- "THE LAST LOVE SONG"

Somertime — Tue, 16 May 2023 14:36:21 GMT

@Oznell What makes it difficult in this documentary is due to Parkinson's her responses at times can be difficult. The most heartbreaking is her weight is only 75 pounds which accents the fragility. Her written word is as clear as ever...............it is heartbreaking is blames herself for not being a good mother to Quintana.......heartbreaking. She mentions John Gregory Dunne as explosive with a terrible temper. Griffin asks her what sets him off.............her response.................everything!

Re: BIOGRAPHY OF JOAN DIDION-- "THE LAST LOVE SONG"

Oznell — Tue, 16 May 2023 23:04:10 GMT

@Somertime , how interesting, her revelations about John Gregory Dunne. In the book, his anger is conveyed, but somewhat balanced by other qualities. They seem to have had a complex relationship.

Daugherty indicates in the book, that Didion tried to be something of a mediator between the brothers. When they were on the outs, and ran into each other at a party, John Gregory and Dominick would not speak to each other-- but Joan and Dominick would acknowledge each other!

It's nice that the two brothers had a reconciliation before the end.

Re: BIOGRAPHY OF JOAN DIDION-- "THE LAST LOVE SONG"

spiderw — Tue, 16 May 2023 23:14:00 GMT

I will watch the documentary and then read the book, it all sounds so interesting and I always look forward to learning something new. Thanks, Oznell, for the information. I finished Elizabeth and thank you for recommending the book!!!!

Re: BIOGRAPHY OF JOAN DIDION-- "THE LAST LOVE SONG"

Oznell — Thu, 18 May 2023 01:19:51 GMT

Oh, good, you are such an intrepid reader, @spiderw !

Re: BIOGRAPHY OF JOAN DIDION-- "THE LAST LOVE SONG"

KKWA — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 19:42:59 GMT

@Oznell

I replied to a post of yours about the book on Joan Didion. I mentioned that I had seen the documentary and was inspired to read the book, a final Love Story. You mentioned if I did, to get back to you. I am so ever grateful to you because I am loving this book. I am 75% done, and I really enjoying it. It is also sort of a love story about California. I was born and raised there. I am a bit younger than Joan, but I know by heart all the places she saw and experienced. I can feel the Santa Ana winds through the eucalyptus trees on the way to San Bernardino, I can smell the citrus trees, and have driven up through the valley to Sacramento a hundred times. I never went to Height, but I know of it. Of course I know L A and Hollywood, and my head is swimming with memories. That California is not there anymore, which is so sad to me. I am on Am On Line if you’d like to be in touch.

Re: BIOGRAPHY OF JOAN DIDION-- "THE LAST LOVE SONG"

Oznell — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 11:25:35 GMT

@KKWA , I'm delighted that you read it and liked! Thanks for reporting back your thoughts, esp. as a fellow Californian of Joan-- her feeling for the state, esp. the way it was, just permeates her prose. I'll look for you on social media, thanks. ( I noticed you put your actual name in the post, which just concerns me, for your sake-- for your safety, I think QVC recommends not putting identifiable info in a post. If you want to delete your name, just click on the three dots in the upper right hand corner of your post, then click "edit" which will pop up, and it will give you the option to delete just your name. Gosh, I hope you don't think I'm in any way 'scolding' -- just concerned for your privacy and safety, given the way social media is.)

You are absolutely right, she is writing a love story to California! Especially "long-lost" California. Your word descriptions of the places both you and she knew conjure up that world so well... thanks again for giving an astute review of what you've read.

Re: BIOGRAPHY OF JOAN DIDION-- "THE LAST LOVE SONG"

KKWA — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 19:44:59 GMT

I am aware of safety, I thought I'd take a chance to connect.

Re: BIOGRAPHY OF JOAN DIDION-- "THE LAST LOVE SONG"

Oznell — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 23:06:22 GMT

I figured, @KKWA , you are brave! I tend to be very risk-averse and a worry wart, and didn't want you exposed to anything untoward. Even years ago, when I was doing a little writing under my own name, locally, I was chagrined to find out that a few people can seek you out via snail mail, in not pleasant ways. I've been cautious ever since.

Thanks for your forebearance.

Edited to add-- By the way, I looked for Am On Line, and couldn't find. Next will try AOL- could that be right, or ??. Clearly, I am "tech-impaired".

Re: BIOGRAPHY OF JOAN DIDION-- "THE LAST LOVE SONG"

KKWA — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 16:04:16 GMT

@Oznell @Yes my full name @ AOL. Also FB