Slouching Towards Bethlehem: Essays

The late essayist, journalist, and multiple award–winning literary luminary Didion (The Year of Magical Thinking) first published this collection of nonfiction essays in 1968. With her signature precision and clarity, Didion captures the essence of 1960s California, crafting an enduring historical portrait that remains relevant today. Known for her sharp powers of observation, she transforms her insights into prose with rhythm and precision, with each word chosen with care. These 20 essays evoke the spirit of the time and place, covering topics such as Didion’s gimlet-eyed view of San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district; reflections on storytelling, acting, and illness (“John Wayne: A Love Story”); and, in “7000 Romaine, Los Angeles 38,” the influence of money and power as realized in Howard Hughes’s art deco residence. Actor and singer-songwriter Maya Hawke narrates, offering spot-on pacing and a thoughtful tone that perfectly complements Didion’s work. Her crystalline voice illuminates the author’s elegant language, rendering it with no gimmicks so listeners can focus on the words rather than the performance.