Bookworm

In Memory of Joan Didion: 'Blue Nights'

After the deaths of her husband, John Gregory Dunne, and her daughter, Quintana, Joan Didion wrote "Blue Nights," the most personal and poetic book of her career. From 2011, she talks about aging, death, and the act of complete surrender that this devastating book required.

By Michael Silverblatt • Jan 13, 2022 • 28m Listen

After the deaths of her husband, John Gregory Dunne, and her daughter, Quintana, Joan Didion wrote "Blue Nights," the most personal and poetic book of her career. From 2011, she talks about aging, death, and the act of complete surrender that this devastating book required.

Read an excerpt from "Blue Nights."

*This program originally aired on December 8, 2011.

Michael Silverblatt
host, 'Bookworm'
Connie Alvarez
Former Communications Director

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Bookworm

In Memory of Joan Didion: 'Blue Nights'

After the deaths of her husband, John Gregory Dunne, and her daughter, Quintana, Joan Didion wrote "Blue Nights," the most personal and poetic book of her career. From 2011, she talks about aging, death, and the act of complete surrender that this devastating book required.

Share

Bookworm

In Memory of Joan Didion: 'Blue Nights'

After the deaths of her husband, John Gregory Dunne, and her daughter, Quintana, Joan Didion wrote "Blue Nights," the most personal and poetic book of her career. From 2011, she talks about aging, death, and the act of complete surrender that this devastating book required.

Share