A Book of Common Prayer
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1977
272
Novel • Fiction
Boca Grande • 1970s
1977
Adult
18+ years
A Book of Common Prayer by Joan Didion follows Grace, an American expat in the fictional Central American state of Boca Grande, and her friendship with Charlotte, another American searching for her daughter involved with a Marxist group. Set against a backdrop of political corruption and violence, the novel delves into their lives intertwined with geopolitical unrest. The narrative includes themes of political turmoil, violence, and drug addiction.
Contemplative
Melancholic
Mysterious
Emotional
Bittersweet
6,059 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Joan Didion’s A Book of Common Prayer uncovers the emotional turmoil of its protagonist with deft prose and penetrating insight. Critics commend Didion’s vivid character development and atmospheric storytelling. However, some find its narrative pace slow and its complex structure challenging. Overall, it's hailed for its engaging, poignant exploration of personal and political disarray.
A reader who would enjoy A Book of Common Prayer by Joan Didion appreciates introspective, character-driven narratives with political undertones. Fans of Graham Greene's The Comedians or Gabriel García Márquez's Love in the Time of Cholera would likely be drawn to its exploration of personal loss against a backdrop of Latin American political turmoil.
6,059 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
272
Novel • Fiction
Boca Grande • 1970s
1977
Adult
18+ years
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