Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Play It As It Lays
Play It As It Lays: A Novel | Joan Didion
A ruthless dissection of American life in the late 1960s, Play It as It Lays captures the mood of an entire generation, the ennui of contemporary society reflected in spare prose that blisters and haunts the reader. Set in a place beyond good and evil-literally in Hollywood, Las Vegas, and the barren wastes of the Mojave Desert, but figuratively in the landscape of an arid soul-it remains more than three decades after its original publication a profoundly disturbing novel, riveting in its exploration of a woman and a society in crisis and stunning in the still-startling intensity of its prose.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
Schwifty
post image
Pickpick

A 1960s actress comes unmoored after she has an abortion. Her origins in the Nevada desert are a stand in for how she feels inside, “nothing,” while she tries to fill it with driving aimlessly, sleeping around or stealing cars, searching for the place her mother died, searching for something. But later she seems to figure out that life is just craps and “nothing” is all one should want. But she keeps playing, unlike a friend. Dark story.

blurb
Yuki_Onna
post image

1. Tagged. Play it as it lays.
2. The accurate narrative of someone with major depression. The setting in 1960's Hollywood - actors, sex, drugs, drama, superficiality. The beautiful reduced writing style. Made me race through it and grit my teeth at the accuracy of Maria's descripion. My first 5***** for over one and a half years.

#two4tuesday @TheSpineView
#summerreading #depression

Yuki_Onna T'was also the first book I finished during #EndofSummer #20in4 #readathon .

Wanna play @RaeLovesToRead @Nute @StaceGhost ?
(edited) 2y
TheSpineView Thanks for playing! 2y
StaceGhost I can‘t believe I forgot to respond! Sorry my Tuesday was really busy. I think I‘ll post it today ha ha 2y
13 likes3 comments
review
tphil10283
Pickpick

This is basically a short sad story about how the lives of some famous people in the sixties were just empty and not really that happy. In that way the book is timeless because I doubt it‘s much different or even better today.

Smrloomis Hmm was it a good read nonetheless? I have it on my TBR but that doesn‘t sound that great to be honest! 2y
tphil10283 It‘s an interesting story and worth the few hours it takes to read. 2y
5 likes2 comments
review
CogsOfEncouragement
post image
Mehso-so

Loss, illness, abuse, and depression. Not what I tend to choose. My next read will definitely be something uplifting.

review
BekaReid
post image
Pickpick

Didion wanted "to write a novel so elliptical and fast that it would be over before you noticed it." She deftly does this in writing about a particular American experience all about the tension, the nothingness. Play it as it Lays follows both the individual & the collective in crisis: Maria at the brink of collapse & late 1960s American life. Didion's writing makes us anxiously await the almost tangible collapse that never comes.

14 likes1 stack add
review
AlexThomas
post image
Pickpick

I‘ve read this book no less than a dozen times — a few years ago, a friend gave me this beautiful first edition for my birthday #didion #joandidion #playitasitlays #LA

review
KristiAhlers
post image
Pickpick

Wow! Just…wow. She managed to capture disillusion is such a real and raw and heartbreaking way. Not an easy read. Maria is a character who‘s challenging to like and yet oddly likable in a dis functional way. Really she could be considered a mirror of each of our own delusions. #weremember @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

TheBookHippie I love her writing so much. 2y
Leftcoastzen 💗 2y
KristiAhlers @TheBookHippie me too. So very lyrical and raw at the same time. 2y
Eggs Well done 👏🏻❤️🙌🏻 2y
45 likes2 stack adds4 comments
quote
beccamayo

I am what I am. To look for reasons is beside the point.

review
peacegypsy
post image
Pickpick

I‘m thankful we‘ll always have her insightful commentary about contemporary culture.

Nute Yes! 2y
36 likes3 stack adds1 comment
blurb
Leftcoastzen
post image

Not ready to lose this one. 😢

merelybookish RIP. 😔 2y
youneverarrived So sad 😞 2y
Ruthiella I just saw this myself in my newsfeed. She was an amazing writer. 2y
vivastory Absolutely terrible 😢 2y
CarolynM I'm so sad about this loss. Such a wonderful writer. 2y
50 likes5 comments
blurb
Emilymdxn
post image

Heartbroken to read about the death of Joan Didion. One of my absolute all time favourite writers and one of the best journalists who ever lived. I‘ll miss her so much, truly one of the greats. For people who believe in the afterlife, it‘ll be a comfort to know she may be back with her daughter though. I‘m not sure what she believed on that front.

Rest in peace Joan

AmyG Oh no. I am so saddened to read this. She is a favorite of mine, too. 😥 2y
MittenGirlPeach Oh, this is very sad. The Year of Magical Thinking is one of my all-time favorites. 2y
DebinHawaii I just saw this. So sad. The Year of Magical Thinking got me through some tough times. 😢 (edited) 2y
TheBookHippie So upset I so love her writing😫😭😭 I do hope she is reunited in some way with her daughter. 🤍🕯 2y
CarolynM 😭 2y
68 likes5 comments
review
Grrlbrarian
post image
Pickpick

Snagged my third #BookSpinBingo with the tagged. I‘m not sure WHAT to think of this book. It‘s a middle-aged actress unraveling. It‘s nihilism and maybe, yearning toward a memory that‘s not even real. Guess that‘s middle age for everyone - steeping in regret. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

TheAromaofBooks Fabulous progress!!! 3y
34 likes1 comment
review
NaomiO
post image
Pickpick

This was my first book of Didion that I read. It was really interesting and fascinating and I loved the old Hollywood feel and time period. It definitely painted an amazing picture. There are parts where it‘s confusing and trying to remember who everyone is and to read in between the lines of the meaning but it still kept me hooked.

review
Chr1ss1e
post image
Pickpick

Man this book is a ride - even if a short one. The story about Hollywood in the 60‘s is probably still very applicable to today‘s reality in that industry. While it feels like a script it is strangely captivating. I find it more depressing than the year of magical thinking - it leaves you with many questions. Maria is not really likable but the others are worse so she still gets your sympathy.
Which Didion fiction to read next?

blurb
Chab256
post image

📚 Play It As It Lays...Joan Didion
📼 Pulp Fiction, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
📺 Party of Five
🎤 Pink
🎶 Purple Rain...Prince or Tori Amos cover

#ManicMonday
#LetterP
@JoScho

JoScho Thanks for playing 💜 4y
13 likes1 comment
review
BarbaraTheBibliophage
post image
Pickpick

Joan Didion invites us into late 1960s Hollywood in her 1970 novel. Maria (pronounced Mar-eye-ah) Wyeth is a struggling actress, whose fledgling career is in a stall. Maria just doesn‘t have much in life to be happy about. And Didion sinks right into the melancholic, Mad Men vibe. Didion‘s writing style is sparse and elegiac, which complements the story.

Full review http://www.TheBibliophage.com
#thebibliophage2020 #booked2020 #setinhollywood

91 likes3 stack adds
blurb
BarbaraTheBibliophage
post image

“What makes Iago evil? some people ask.”

Beautiful writing but bleak. #FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

ItsAnotherJen The night it all ended, Vivian was alone. 👀 4y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @ItsAnotherJen I‘m anxious to read that one!! 4y
Chab256 I really liked this despite the bleak tone... 4y
49 likes3 comments
blurb
BarbaraTheBibliophage
post image

Starting this one. I finally need to read my last #winter prompt from #booked2020. Since this is short and #setinhollywood, I‘m on it! My second Didion book, and I‘m just a little worried about how melancholic this is supposed to be. Not sure if it will feel like a good #pandemicreading choice.

Caterina If this one ends up being too melancholic for you, I recently read an Eve Babitz book set in Hollywood that was fun and light! 4y
Caterina (And it was short!) 4y
See All 7 Comments
Cinfhen Still haven‘t read any Joan Didion yet🙁 4y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Cinfhen This is my first of her fiction. I loved her memoir 4y
CarolynM I liked this one, but it is bleak. 4y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @CarolynM Yes indeed. Made it to about 80% today. Need lots of chocolate to counteract the sadness ... 4y
86 likes2 stack adds7 comments
review
youneverarrived
post image
Pickpick

This is such a bleak and almost melancholic book. You really feel that type of mood coming through the pages; through the writing, the characters and the story. My first Didion and I can‘t say I‘m completely blown away but I will definitely be reading more of her books. #setinhollywood #booked2020

Cinfhen That‘s quite a cover!! I haven‘t read any Didion yet 🙈 (edited) 4y
BarbaraBB I love the cover! I always love Didion‘s premises but are not blown away by the actual books - just like you. 4y
Cathythoughts Nice pick for #setinHollywood 👍🏻 4y
See All 6 Comments
youneverarrived @Cinfhen it‘s Eve Babitz and Duchamp. I‘d been wanting to read her for years! 4y
youneverarrived @BarbaraBB yeah, I still can‘t decide on what to rate it 😕 4y
72 likes6 comments
blurb
youneverarrived
post image

Didion is one of those authors I‘ve been meaning to read for YEARS. Finally going in with this one ✨

squirrelbrain I‘ve not read any of hers either - be interested to know what you think..... 4y
Eggs I‘ve enjoyed everything by her; there‘s no one quite like her esp. 4y
See All 14 Comments
Leftcoastzen Like the Eve Babitz / Duchamp cover! Love Didion 4y
CarolynM I enjoyed reading this 🙂 4y
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain I‘ll let you know 😘 4y
youneverarrived @Cathythoughts @Eggs that one sounds really good! ♥️ 4y
youneverarrived @Leftcoastzen ah that‘s who it is! I was trying to remember as I knew I‘d read it somewhere. 4y
youneverarrived @CarolynM ohh that‘s good to know! 😘 4y
IamIamIam KATIE!!! I was thinking about you today!!! 😘🤗 4y
youneverarrived @IamIamIam thanks for thinking of me Jess ❤️❤️ hope you‘re well! x 4y
IamIamIam @youneverarrived You too! How are you feeling?? Stay healthy! 😷❤ 4y
merelybookish Yes, thinking of you! 💕 4y
youneverarrived @merelybookish thanks for thinking of me 😘😘 4y
70 likes14 comments
review
Emilymdxn
post image
Pickpick

Not an emotionally easy read but SUCH an incredible book, I‘m anticipating this will be on all my end of year lists. One of those novels where not loads happened but I just wanted to be inside Maria‘s brain forever hearing how she described Hollywood, her marriage, her life. Very bleak but so compelling, I read this straight through in a morning and couldn‘t put it down. Joan Didion is becoming one of my fave writers of all time

Bookish.SAM This book has been popping up in so many different areas of my life... might be time to give it a go! 4y
LinesUponAPage Joan Didion is a fantastic writer. Her memoirs are great too. 4y
79 likes2 stack adds2 comments
review
Outofcontroltbr
post image
Mehso-so

Interesting read and short too. Hooked me towards the start and just kept me going. Still not sure exactly what I read but it was good all the same.

9 likes1 stack add
blurb
Leftcoastzen
post image

Happy 85th Birthday to Joan Didion!

Sg1224 Wow, is she really 85?! 4y
Theaelizabet Reading Joan Didion way-back-when was revelatory. 4y
Leftcoastzen @Sg1224 yes,she was born in 1934. 4y
51 likes4 comments
blurb
Eggs
post image


🎶 I lost my memory in Hollywood
I've had a million visions
Bad and good🎶

Set in a place beyond good and evil-literally in Hollywood, Las Vegas, and the barren wastes of the Mojave Desert, Didion‘s novel explores a troubled woman and a society in crisis. Published in 1970; adapted to film in 1972

#hollywood
#movember
@Cinfhen

Cinfhen Sounds good - I still haven‘t read anything by Joan Didion #NeedToRead 4y
Eggs Yes @Cinfhen #needtoread! My first Didion was Year of Magical Thinking the year my husband died-she too had lost her husband. And saddest of all, she lost her only child soon after-a daughter 4y
Cinfhen Her story seems so sad @Eggs but I‘m told her writing is so exquisite 4y
See All 7 Comments
Eggs @Cinfhen It is eloquent and renders you speechless. But you have a lot of Didion to choose from-another I thought great was 4y
britt_brooke I love Didion, but still haven‘t gotten to this one. And I think I own it. 🤔 4y
britt_brooke @Cinfhen I think you would love her. I started with a couple of her journalistic collections before getting into her memoirs. 4y
Cinfhen Thanks @britt_brooke I‘m pretty sure I‘m going to love her writing too!! Which book should I start with??? 4y
58 likes1 stack add7 comments
blurb
purebugbeauty72
post image

Joan Didion. 🙌

2 likes1 stack add
blurb
Emilymdxn
post image

Just watching the excellent documentary about Joan Didion that I found on Netflix - no idea how new it is I just know that I found it today. She‘s one of my absolute heroes and I‘m so grateful to be learning more about her, it‘s incredibly well made with so many interviews and archive material. if I wasn‘t in the middle of the booker longlist I‘d be having a big Joan Didion kick right now. Really recommend the film

Julsmarshall Ooh, great find! What is the title? 5y
Emilymdxn @Julsmarshall it‘s called Joan Didion: The Centre Will Not Hold from 2017, I strongly recommend it! 5y
73 likes2 comments
review
ValerieAndBooks
post image
Mehso-so

This was my first Didion, so I don‘t know if this is consistent of her style. The Questions without question marks throughout got annoying real fast. Definitely felt like a relic of the 1970s. (It was published in 1970)

Read this for #1001Books

DivineDiana Don‘t know. 🤔 Only “read one” but it was an audio! 🙂 5y
LittleWonder I started with The Year of Magical Thinking, then Blue Nights. The Netflix documentary “The Center Will Not Hold” is fabulous! (edited) 5y
saresmoore I think that would drive me bonkers! 5y
See All 12 Comments
Reggie It started with Cormac McCarthy years ago, but my irritation for authors not using quotations, or question marks, or lately even indenting paragraphs has been so eroded I‘ve almost come to expect it. Lol 5y
Chab256 This was my first and only Didion so far, but I actually loved it. Not sure if her essay style differs... 5y
CarolynM I've only read this one and The Year of Magical Thinking. I liked it a lot. I took the lack of question marks as part of the general ennui and off-handedness. 5y
ValerieAndBooks @DivineDiana I guess with audio, punctuation (or lack of) would be unnoticed 🙂 5y
ValerieAndBooks @LittleWonder I‘ve had The Year of Magical Thinking in my TBR for a long time but the topic would hit too close to home for me right now. Wonder if I‘d like her essays more ? 5y
ValerieAndBooks @Chab256 yes, I‘m curious to find that out about her essays. Maybe I can find one online to start with. 5y
ValerieAndBooks @saresmoore yes especially since it felt affected to me. 5y
ValerieAndBooks @Reggie oh Reggie your punctuation expectations have lowered 😂! 5y
ValerieAndBooks @CarolynM makes sense about the lack indicating the ennui. This novel definitely felt very detached. I actually didn‘t like the overall tone of the book but that really is probably more me than an indication of Didion‘s talent. (edited) 5y
63 likes1 stack add12 comments
blurb
ValerieAndBooks
post image

Still in a huge reading slump! But that didn‘t stop me from taking these home from the used bookstore after I dropped off several there 😊. $7 total. Tagged book is a #1001Books, as are a couple others here — including Franny and Zooey which I read many years ago but don‘t remember much.

Not hot and/or green outside yet but spring is in the air 😊🌱🌱🌳🌳🌱🌱

Blaire Crossing to safety is one of my all-time favorite books. Highly recommend! 5y
ValerieAndBooks @Blaire Good to know! I‘ll keep it near the top, then 😊 5y
Leftcoastzen Nice ! I love Franny And Zooey read it yearly 5y
Liz_M It's good to have plenty of options for when the reading slump ends! 😁 5y
87 likes4 comments
review
Adventures-of-a-French-Reader
post image
Mehso-so

The characters in this novel are far from being likable. The writing style is very detached, which in this case goes well with the main character's personality. Did I like the book? Yes, but only to a certain extent. I didn't feel close to any of the characters, I didn't get passionate by the setting of the story, or by the story itself. It's only my second book by Didion, but for now I haven't been seduced by her writing...

Reviewsbylola I started this but gave up after a few pages. I just wasn‘t in the right mood. 5y
Adventures-of-a-French-Reader @Reviewsbylola Yes, I totally get it. It can be quite a depressing read... Or one that makes you feel angry. Or both, haha. On the upside, it's quite a fast read ;) 5y
15 likes2 comments
review
whatrebeccasread
post image
Panpan

I tried to like "Play It as It Lays" and at times I did think that it was picking up, but I think I've come to the conclusion that Joan Didion is just not for me and I'll be donating my third and final book rather than struggling through another! Another 1 star review from me.

My full review is up on my blog now ?

CarolynM It wasn't much fun, but I thought this was an interesting book. 5y
68 likes1 comment
review
zsuzsanna_reads
post image
Pickpick

The blurb said something like: "this book captures the soul of a generation in the 60s", but I have to disagree. In my view it captures excellently the life of seemingly enviable (in this case, part of a Hollywood elite) affluent women adrift in their thirties.

Disturbing, but compulsively readable. Highly recommended. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Image: David Hockney "A Bigger Splash" 1967

Cathythoughts Stacking 👍🏻♥️ 5y
LauraJ Nicely said. 5y
gentlepet Love Didion 5y
UwannaPublishme I read this ages ago. Maybe it‘s time for a reread. 5y
49 likes5 stack adds4 comments
review
mklong
post image
Mehso-so

I hate to give Didion a so-so because I do love her sparse, yet sharply observant, prose. I just found it very hard to become absorbed in or connected to a book that is essentially about meaninglessness. Perhaps I should stick to her essays and memoirs. I think Sandy agrees.

JoScho ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
Leftcoastzen Sandy is super cute! 6y
Tamra 😻 6y
See All 6 Comments
tammysue ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
Joy0201 What a cute pup! I loved this book but I read it about 25 years ago. 6y
mklong @JoScho @Leftcoastzen @Tamra @whatshesreadingnow @Joy0201 Thanks ladies! I love that sweet little goofball so much! 6y
64 likes6 comments
blurb
manifestsanity
post image

Just watched the Netflix documentary "The Center Will Not Hold," about the life and work of Joan Didion. A brilliant film directed by Griffin Dunne. So fascinating. Turbulent times, turbulent words. Highly recommended.

Kimberlone So good. Really does justice to Didion‘s beautiful writing. 6y
Lola I have this downloaded but haven‘t watched it yet-I love her. Griffin is actually her nephew. He was an actor at one time. I loved him with Madonna in Who‘s That Girl :) (edited) 6y
manifestsanity @Lola Griffin Dunne stars in my favorite Scorsese movie After Hours. 6y
63 likes3 comments
blurb
Joy0201
post image

Day 6 of the #10booksthatchangedme challenge. Play It As It Lays. Joan Didion is a master.

28 likes1 stack add
blurb
JGadz11
post image

Super thrilled about my Powell‘s book haul! Will worry about packing these later... 📚📚📚

4 likes1 stack add
quote
deathmetalcardigan
post image

She never puts on any weight, you'll notice that's often true of selfish women. [...]. She was always a very selfish girl, it was first last and always Maria.

CaitlinR I haven‘t read Didion for a long time — thanks for the nudge. 6y
deathmetalcardigan @CaitlinR you're welcome for the nudge! I think we all need that sometimes with our old favorites 6y
41 likes7 stack adds2 comments
review
Teafiend
Pickpick

I really love the writing but the topics are really depressing.

quote
Teafiend
post image

This book is Depressing. But I really like the writing

Reagan I want to read it again, I was so young when I read it and I remember being blown away by the writing but I‘m not sure the gravity of it hit me. 6y
UwannaPublishme I read this ages ago, too. May be time for a reread. 😊👍🏻 6y
Teafiend Definitely have to be in the mood for it, I think 6y
46 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
CarolynM
post image
Pickpick

Didion's prose is hypnotic and she is unflinching in her depiction of a narcissistic world where everything is surface and there seem to be no meaningful connections between people and no value put on family relationships. To the modern reader the misogyny, homophobia and xenophobia are jarring, but it's good to be reminded that we have made some progress.

CaitlinR Great review, thanks. 6y
CarolynM @CaitlinR thank you 6y
zsuzsanna_reads @CarolynM having just read this sadly I don't think we've made all that much progress 😢 5y
32 likes2 stack adds3 comments
blurb
Augustdana
post image

It‘s been a great year for reading! I‘m quite a slow reader, so for me to surpass my goal AND read ten more books than I did last year is huge! Most of them were four star awesome as well! I read two Didion books and two books by Roxane Gay and lots of incredible ladies and I‘m gonna do it all again next year

review
vivastory
post image
Pickpick

Didion's sparse, yet relentless, prose captures the empty & violent lives of her characters. Just as the opulence of casinos & hotels is the perfect setting for their narcissistic & hedonistic lives, the empty highways & Mojave Desert is perfect for their ruined relationships & purposelessness. Although this is about filmmakers & actresses, it is not sensationalism. A simmering tale of destruction, subtle yet frequently chilling.

ApoptyGina69 Big fan myself. Great collage!!! 6y
vivastory @ApoptyGina69 Thanks! I don't often reread books, but I think I will reread this one. Didion really leaves a lot open for the reader. 6y
saresmoore Wow, fantastic review! I‘m certainly interested in reading this now. 6y
57 likes3 stack adds3 comments
blurb
Bertha_Mason

Now I've officially read Joan Didion's fiction. I think I'll stick to her essays from now on.

blurb
Bertha_Mason

Has anyone ever even TRIED to write a Novel About Los Angeles (TM) without dozens of pages of casual, rancorous homophobia? 😝😡

Bertha_Mason Oh look, casual racism. 6y
batsy 😡 6y
4 likes2 comments
blurb
Augustdana
post image

The library has been good to me this year and delivered this early xmas present.

6 likes1 stack add
blurb
Bertha_Mason

My girlfriend and I watched "The Center Will Not Hold," the new Joan Didion documentary, and I'm definitely reading Play It As It Lays next.

review
Rockconey
post image
Pickpick

Quick. Haunting, but a bit depressing.

blurb
Rockconey
post image

Current read

blurb
emilyhaldi
post image

Maria Wyeth is one of the more #fragile characters I can remember. Her story is a quiet kind of tragedy of a life built on empty accomplishments (fame & beauty) and no happiness. There is an underlying tension throughout the book as you wonder which moment is going to be the one to break Maria. And yet she continues to float through her life in a cloud of detached melancholy.
"I know what "nothing" means, and keep on playing."

#rocktober

Bookalong 💕 Didion 6y
BarbaraBB Sounds like a great book! 6y
Cinfhen What a beautifully written blurb💚🙌🏻 6y
See All 7 Comments
bookloo “Blurb goals” ❤️ 6y
Mdargusch I agree @bookloo 👍🏼 6y
Reviewsbylola I've only read two of her books but I really liked them. 6y
emilyhaldi Thank you, I‘m blushing ☺️ @Cinfhen @bookloo @Mdargusch 6y
89 likes6 stack adds7 comments