Storytelling, Family & Tragedy with Griffin Dunne

A poignant reflection on motherhood, loss, and the passage of time, exploring the complexities of family relationships.

Slouching Towards Bethlehem is a collection of essays by Joan Didion that captures the essence of 1960s America, especially in California. The book includes twenty essays that cover a wide range of topics, from the counterculture movement in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district to personal narratives and character portraits. Didion's essays explore themes such as the decline of traditional values, the disillusionment of the American Dream, and the tumultuous social changes of the era. The title essay, 'Slouching Towards Bethlehem,' is a vivid portrayal of the hippie culture and its contrast with its idealized representations, drawing imagery from W.B. Yeats' poem 'The Second Coming. ' The collection also includes essays like 'On Keeping a Notebook' and 'Goodbye to All That,' which reflect on Didion's personal life and writing habits. Through her keen observations and vivid storytelling, Didion provides an unflinching and insightful overview of America during the 1960s.

Griffin Dunne's "The Friday Afternoon Club" is a poignant memoir exploring his family's complex dynamics, marked by both extraordinary achievements and profound tragedies. The book delves into the lives of his sister Dominique, a rising actress whose murder profoundly impacted the family; his father Dominick, a journalist whose career was shaped by covering Dominique's case; and his aunt Joan Didion, a literary icon. Dunne weaves together personal anecdotes, family history, and reflections on fame, grief, and the enduring power of family bonds. The narrative is a tapestry of humor, heartbreak, and ultimately, acceptance.

Me Talk Pretty One Day is a collection of essays that humorously explores David Sedaris's experiences growing up in a large Greek family, his early career start in performance art, and his life in France. The book details his upbringing in North Carolina, including his struggles with a lisp and his family's eccentricities. It also delves into his adventures as an American in a rural French village, where he navigates cultural differences and language barriers with his signature wit and sarcasm. The essays touch on themes of family, identity, acceptance, and the power of humor in addressing personal flaws and life's challenges.

The Vanity Fair Diaries chronicles Tina Brown's eight years as editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair, from her arrival in New York City in her early twenties to her transformation of the magazine into a cultural and financial success. The book includes insider stories of notable scoops and covers, such as the Reagan kiss and the Annie Leibovitz cover of a pregnant Demi Moore. It also delves into Brown's personal life, including her marriage to Harry Evans, her family, and her observations on the AIDS crisis and other significant events of the 1980s. The diaries offer a vivid portrait of the era's glamour, politics, and social scene, written with Brown's characteristic wit and insight.