51 pages • 1 hour read
Play It As It Lays
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Book Brief
240
Novel • Fiction
Los Angeles, California • 1960s
1970
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion follows Maria Wyeth Lang, a 31-year-old actress in Beverly Hills, as she reflects on her emotional breakdown and its causes. Amidst a deteriorating marriage with director Carter Lang, Maria grapples with her daughter's medical condition, substance abuse, an abortion, and societal pressures, leading to her institutionalization following a friend's suicide. Topics include mental health, substance abuse, and trauma.
Dark
Unnerving
Melancholic
Contemplative
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
77,968 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Joan Didion’s Play It As It Lays has garnered acclaim for its stark portrayal of Hollywood’s desolation and existential malaise. Critics laud Didion's incisive prose and nuanced characterizations, though some note its bleakness may deter readers. The novel's fragmented structure and evocative style effectively convey its themes of disconnection and ennui.
Who Should Read Play It As It Lays?
Readers who enjoy Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion typically appreciate introspective narratives with complex characters. Fans of existential, disillusioned themes in works like F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby or Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar will find this novel compelling. It's perfect for those who explore the darker sides of Hollywood glamour and personal identity.
77,968 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
240
Novel • Fiction
Los Angeles, California • 1960s
1970
Adult
18+ years
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