51 pages 1 hour read

Joan Didion

Play It As It Lays

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1970

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Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Joan Didion’s Play It As It Lays has garnered acclaim for its stark portrayal of Hollywood’s desolation and existential malaise. Critics laud Didion's incisive prose and nuanced characterizations, though some note its bleakness may deter readers. The novel's fragmented structure and evocative style effectively convey its themes of disconnection and ennui.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Play It As It Lays?

Readers who enjoy Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion typically appreciate introspective narratives with complex characters. Fans of existential, disillusioned themes in works like F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby or Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar will find this novel compelling. It's perfect for those who explore the darker sides of Hollywood glamour and personal identity.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics
Women's Studies (Nonfiction)
Gender / Feminism
History: World
Genre
American Literature
Modern Classic Fiction
Classic Fiction