We Tell Ourselves Stories

In "We Tell Ourselves Stories," New York Times film critic Alissa Wilkinson explores Joan Didion's profound impact on American mythmaking, highlighting her early fascinations with figures like John Wayne and events such as the Donner Party. The biography chronicles Didion's transition from New York to Hollywood, where she navigated the allure of the entertainment industry while penning iconic movie scripts and producing celebrated literature. Wilkinson examines how Didion's keen observations of mainstream culture informed her writing, shedding light on the intricate relationship between Hollywood and the American psyche.