This is a very late comment, prompted by my reading of Didion's notebooks " Notes to John", that came out a few days ago. Reading them should make one feel ashamed of judging her for what she was herself also struggling with: her fear of others, her need for solitude and the pain she felt concerning her daughter's illness. We can argue about the ethics of having published the notebooks, but they offer a strong insight into her own struggles that is valuable, if only to counter the narrative about her aloofness.
A lot about Flanagan, I'd say. And thank you for reading and engaging. I love seeing comments and talking with other writers about these ideas, which matter so much to all of us, but rarely get enough airtime.
This is a very late comment, prompted by my reading of Didion's notebooks " Notes to John", that came out a few days ago. Reading them should make one feel ashamed of judging her for what she was herself also struggling with: her fear of others, her need for solitude and the pain she felt concerning her daughter's illness. We can argue about the ethics of having published the notebooks, but they offer a strong insight into her own struggles that is valuable, if only to counter the narrative about her aloofness.
I appreciate this so much! I haven’t read the notebooks yet, but I will.
I have also read your book, which I loved very much! Such an important reclamation of Plath!
Thanks, Ana! So grateful that you read it. And thank you for your kind words!
A lot about Flanagan, I'd say. And thank you for reading and engaging. I love seeing comments and talking with other writers about these ideas, which matter so much to all of us, but rarely get enough airtime.