See buying choices for this item to see if it's one of the millions that are eligible for Amazon Prime.


Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Play It as It Lays
 
See larger image
 

Play It as It Lays (Paperback)

by Joan Didion (Author), David Thomson (Introduction)
4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.


11 used from £6.10
Other Editions: RRP: Our Price: Other Offers:
Hardcover 2 used & new from £17.95
Paperback (New edition) £9.99 £7.16 23 used & new from £3.09
Unknown Binding 3 used & new from £18.40

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

White Noise (Picador Books)

White Noise (Picador Books)

by Don DeLillo
3.4 out of 5 stars (15)  £5.99
Their Eyes Were Watching God

Their Eyes Were Watching God

by Sherley Anne Williams
4.5 out of 5 stars (13)  £6.99
The Big Sleep (Penguin Fiction)

The Big Sleep (Penguin Fiction)

by Raymond Chandler
4.7 out of 5 stars (12)  £5.59
Beloved

Beloved

by Toni Morrison
4.4 out of 5 stars (39)  £5.59
The Collected Dorothy Parker (Penguin Modern Classics)

The Collected Dorothy Parker (Penguin Modern Classics)

by Dorothy Parker
4.5 out of 5 stars (2)  £9.09
Explore similar items

Product details

  • Paperback: 214 pages
  • Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux (15 Nov 2005)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0374529949
  • ISBN-13: 978-0374529949
  • Product Dimensions: 20.6 x 14 x 2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 463,146 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

 (What's this?)
Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
Check a corresponding box or enter your own tags in the field below
modern classic
joan didion
nihilism
important literature
malaise
los angeles
literature
best novels
american literature

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Play It as It Lays
82% buy the item featured on this page:
Play It as It Lays 4.0 out of 5 stars (2)
The Year of Magical Thinking
10% buy
The Year of Magical Thinking 3.8 out of 5 stars (20)
£5.59
Live and Learn
4% buy
Live and Learn 5.0 out of 5 stars (1)
£8.99
A Book of Common Prayer
3% buy
A Book of Common Prayer 3.0 out of 5 stars (2)
£8.55

 

Customer Reviews

2 Reviews
5 star:    (0)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Enter a damaged mind..., 13 May 2004
By J "chasingshadows" (Liverpool, UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   
This review is from: Play it as it Lays (Paperback)
My experience of this book is that it divides opinion; you either find it depressing/irritating, or for some inexplicable reason...uplifting rather than disturning and I'm in the latter category.

But there's no escaping the fact that this novel has an incredibly hollow centre- the exploration of Hollywood and the drug culture of the 1960's won't make many readers feel all fuzzy inside, but there is something brutally refreshing about the heroine Maria's experiences, as we follow her on her journey. As a central character she's very unusual, quite possibly because she's in a permamant catatonic state and as a result she wades through the monotony of her life, observing events with a detachment that makes for surprisingly absorbing reading.

The point of view is very narrow in this story, it's a flow-of-conciousness novel (i.e. quite confusing at times), which may in itself put people off and the fact that the narrator has had an emotional bypass may also discourage those considering picking up this book, but I found Maria's story convincing and interesting. *But be warned, you'll need a good supply of coca-cola to consume whilst reading.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Depressing but good (!), 5 Nov 2002
This review is from: Play it as it Lays (Paperback)
Probably one of the more depressing books I've read, this is one long tale of misery, centred around a has-been actress whose life slowly goes off the rails into a miasma of pointlessness, abortion, failed relationships and murder. But this is essentially where the book's power lies; in it's ability to disturb the reader and force them to reassess themselves and give thanks that their life isn't quite this bad. Didion writes the book in a spare, deadpan style that is brutally appropriate to the subject matter.

Those of a depressive disposition would probably be better off with a Harry Potter.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


   
Related forums


Listmania!


Look for similar items by category


Feedback


The Body Shop

The Body Shop - Vitamin C Skin Boost
Protect and boost your glow with The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost.

Shop The Body Shop

 

More From Joan Didion

The Year of...

The Year of Magical Thinking

'her poetic writing has a spell-like charm that is profoundly... Read more
£7.99 £5.59

 

Up to 53% off Braun Series Shavers

Braun Series 3 390cc Clean & Renew System Rechargeable Foil Electric Shaver
Get in touch with your smooth side with Braun Series shavers, now with Gillette blade technology.

Discover Braun Series at Amazon.co.uk

 

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

Learn more about Gift Certificates

 
Ad

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.

Continue Shopping: Top Sellers

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates