Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion

Joan Didion's Slouching Towards Bethlehem is a collection of essays by the late author that explores culture and counterculture in 1960's and the era of social change. Throughout the book, readers are challenged to think more deeply about the struggles of society and how it affects our own lives.

The title of the book comes from the well-known poem, The Second Coming by William Butler Yeats. In this poem, Yeats is warning of a world where “the centre cannot hold” and a new order is about to take its place. This phrase captures the idea of chaos or turbulence where the old social order is crumbling and a new one is on its way. This is precisely what Didion is exploring in her essays.

The first essay in the book, Slouching Towards Bethlehem, is considered to be the standout of the collection. It details the author’s impressions of her 1965 trip to California, as she chronicles a series of events and experiences – from her stay at a “hippie palace” in Los Angeles to the scene in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district. Through the events she witnesses, such as a trip to an LSD party and the story of a young girl’s drug-fueled odyssey, Didion paints a vivid picture of the society of the time.

The essays that follow delve into a wide range of topics ranging from a discussion of divorce in On Self-Respect to a look at the effects of the Vietnam War in On Morality. In the latter essay, Didion examines the idea that our sense of morality and humanity may have been damaged by both the war and our experiences at home. This thought-provoking essay speaks to the larger themes of the book – that sometimes it’s hard to separate ourselves from the chaos that surrounds us.

In addition to its exploration of the 1960s and 70s, Slouching Towards Bethlehem also offers an insightful perspective on the power of the media and how it can be used to shape public perception and opinion. In several of the essays, Didion examines how the media can be used to manipulate and distort the truth, a phenomenon that continues to be relevant today.

Overall, Slouching Towards Bethlehem is a powerful and thought-provoking look at an era of great social change and upheaval. Through her essays, Didion speaks to the struggles of life and how we can make sense of our own experiences. The book is at once timeless and timely – a lasting testament to the power of Didion’s writing and her unique perspective on the world.