Book Club: Let Me Tell You What I Mean by Joan Didion

Almost a year before she died, Joan Didion published her last book, Let Me Tell You What I Mean, a collection of twelve essays written from 1968 to 2000. Spanning decades, the collection features pieces written about anything from defunct underground papers and college admissions to public figures like Nancy Reagan and Martha Stewart.

As both a love letter to writing and the perfect place to become acquainted with the famously incisive perspective Didion maintains throughout her body of work, the collection is full of gems. For the anxious, over-achieving high schooler of today and their helicopter parent: “On Being Unchosen by the College of One's Choice,” which puts into perspective how absurd highly-selective college admissions is and how worthless it is for any teenager to measure their worth, intelligence, or success by its standards. For the reader who dutifully subscribes to Substack and online publications (like the Uterish blog!): “Alicia and the Underground Press,” an ode to newspapers that don’t fret over the pretense of objectivity and instead let their biases shine through. For the aspiring writer facing constant rejection: “Telling Stories,” where despite her prolific career as an author and storyteller, Didion reveals her frustrating experience with writing short stories.

While reading “Everywoman.com,” an essay written about Martha Stewart, I couldn’t help but think about 22-year-old influencer Nara Smith who embraces domesticity, receiving criticism for showcasing an “unrealistic” and “tradwife” lifestyle and praise as some are inspired to recreate Nara’s “from-scratch” model, as a working mom and step-mom of three kids. Like Martha, Smith is often seen as the aspirational housewife archetype which comes with as many challenges as it does disciples. Let Me Tell You What I Mean is a gift that keeps on giving, and a reminder of why I will always listen as Didion tells her readers exactly what she means.

— Intern Koreb