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Joan Didion. Pic/@joandidionfan on Instagram

Joan Didion has inspired generations about the value of writing for the sake of writing. Her books and essays transcend the rules of tradition and make for a great yet simplistic read about the times that she lived in. Let Me Tell You What I Mean (Penguin Random House, 2021) includes a collection of 12 essays from the writer that span from 1968 to 2000. There are no unifying factors among these essays except the stylistic glue of Didion's writing. Her crisp writing style and dry delivery of punchlines make for an interesting read.

The essays like Alicia and the Underground Press, Didion talks about the failure of mainstream newspapers to get through to the American public. She highlights the interest shown in smaller underground newspapers for their worth. Her points in this essay ring true even today, possibly more than ever before. Her trademark farsightedness shines through as she speaks on various topics that stood out during these periods. Her signature voice is what makes this seemingly disjointed collection of essays make sense.

Pieces such as Why I Write and Telling Stories discuss her journey as a writer and give a peek into the mind of the master essayist and her ability to turn the slightest observations into a magnificent turn of phrase. This collection is bound to inspire readers and future writers.

Didion passed away on December 23, 2021 due to complications from Parkinson's; however, this collection of essays, like her other works, is bound to keep her legacy alive for a long time.

Title
Let Me Tell You What I Mean
Author Joan Didion
Genre Essays
Publisher Penguin Random House India
Cost Rs 1,235