Run River
by Joan Didion
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 220)
Read in March, 2007
This novel is not like Didion's other works. It was her first and, in retrospect, she has dismissed it as sloppy and an artificial past upon which she constructed a narrative about a dying generation of California pioneers. But this book is haunting for its convincing characters, its implications about California, and its unique time sequence. Another interesting piece that no one has yet touched is that in many ways it's a modern retelling of Tennyson's "The Lady of Shallot." I recomm...more
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Read in May, 2008
I was not expecting to like this. But if you're a fan of Joan Didion, there are some things you have to do. I was surprised: I loved the way she nailed obscurely familiar personalities -- the odd one who never quite feels solid on the complexities of small talk and door-holding, the petty knife-twister who sees the hurt she causes as positive evidence she's succeeded in finally connecting to another, the family man who sees his whole life breaking apart bit by bit no matter how hard he pulls to ...more
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Read in May, 2007
One of my favorite books...actually just finished reading it for the second time. I think it's one of Didion's best works, along with Slouching Towards Bethlehem. The book deals with the idea of California as promised land, as do most of her other books, and also with the failure of that concept. California as the fallen Eden, and the melancholy way she explores love, marriage, and fidelity as characters struggle to find themselves or identify themselves.
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This was my first exposure to Joan Didion, and my friend Amber gave it to me as a birthday gift one year, saying it was one of her favorites. Didion has a true gift for writing. Another one of those books I didn't expect much from and it ended up moving me deeply. One of my all time favorites.
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Read in May, 2007
recommends it for:
Everyone
A very good book, especially for a first. Joan Didion begins on the first of a few explorations of the idea of unwanted children/abortions and poor communication amongst lovers. A very good exploration of ranch life as well. A slow and meticulous story.
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Melancholy and moving. I didn’t realize how much I loved it until after I was finished. The relationships between the people and places remind me a little of Faulkner. Read this if you haven't already.
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Read in January, 2001
Another great piece of understated fiction from Didion, about loveless marriage and whatnot, kind of like Gatsby but different. From the back of the book: "Didion writes so tightly it cuts the flesh."
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i kind of enjoyed this book, but i think that is mostly because i am a bit nostalgic for the california she evokes (which i never knew, and which may never have really existed at all)
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Read in June, 2006
recommends it for:
absolutely everyone
Other than Play It As It Lays, this is possibly my favorite novel of hers. I have made it my mission to read everything else by her. Simply put, Joan Didion is a great writer.
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Read in March, 2008
First novel. Good, and there are aspects of it that seem to reappear in later works, but it isn't as polished as the later stuff.
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Read in January, 2008
Read Joan Didion! As soon as you get used to her ADD perspectives, you find stunning sentences.
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fantastic book about generations of central valley agribiz families.
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Read in May, 2008
It's not perfect but there's something true there. :)
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Read in January, 2008
recommended to Ruth by:
Dr. Josh Bersonrecommends it for: frontier lovers and problem addicts
The third book, IN MY LIFE, I have ever cried with.
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