The Magical Thinking Book is a fascinating exploration of the power of our imagination and beliefs. Written by psychologist and author Jane Smith, this book takes readers on a journey into the realm of magical thinking – the belief in supernatural forces and the ability to influence events through one's thoughts. Smith examines the historical and cultural contexts of magical thinking, tracing its roots back to ancient civilizations and its presence in contemporary society. She delves into the psychology behind magical thinking, exploring why people are drawn to these beliefs and how they can shape our perception of reality. The book also discusses the potential benefits and drawbacks of magical thinking. On one hand, it can provide comfort and a sense of control in uncertain situations.
"An act of consummate literary bravery, a writer known for her clarity allowing us to watch her mind as it becomes clouded with grief . . . It also skips backward in time [to] call up a shimmering portrait of her unique marriage . . . To make her grief real, Didion shows us what she has lost."
-Lev Grossman, Time
Days later--the night before New Year s Eve--the Dunnes were just sitting down to dinner after visiting the hospital when John Gregory Dunne suffered a massive and fatal coronary. I still stifle a laugh whenever I think of the passages in the rehab clinic in Dry , or the line in Scissors after Burroughs s foster sister guesses that he is gay It is one thing to be gay, he grouses.
On one hand, it can provide comfort and a sense of control in uncertain situations. Believing in luck or fate can help individuals cope with anxiety and navigate life's challenges. On the other hand, magical thinking can also lead to irrational beliefs and behaviors, hindering problem-solving and critical thinking.
The Year of Magical Thinking - by Joan Didion (Hardcover)
Didion chronicles the experience of losing her husband, the writer John Gregory Dunne, to a massive coronary, just weeks after the two of them watched as their only daughter was put into an induced coma to save her life. With honesty and passion, Didion explores this intensely personal yet universal experience.
Book Synopsis
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER - From one of America's iconic writers, a stunning book of electric honesty and passion that explores an intensely personal yet universal experience: a portrait of a marriage--and a life, in good times and bad--that will speak to anyone who has ever loved a husband or wife or child.
Several days before Christmas 2003, John Gregory Dunne and Joan Didion saw their only daughter, Quintana, fall ill with what seemed at first flu, then pneumonia, then complete septic shock. She was put into an induced coma and placed on life support. Days later--the night before New Year's Eve--the Dunnes were just sitting down to dinner after visiting the hospital when John Gregory Dunne suffered a massive and fatal coronary. In a second, this close, symbiotic partnership of forty years was over. Four weeks later, their daughter pulled through. Two months after that, arriving at LAX, she collapsed and underwent six hours of brain surgery at UCLA Medical Center to relieve a massive hematoma.
This powerful book is Didion' s attempt to make sense of the "weeks and then months that cut loose any fixed idea I ever had about death, about illness . about marriage and children and memory . about the shallowness of sanity, about life itself.
Review Quotes
"Her book is thrilling . . . a living, sharp, memorable book . . . An exact, candid, and penetrating account of personal terror and bereavement . . . sometimes quite funny because it dares to tell the truth."
-Robert Pinsky, The New York Times Book Review (cover)
"An act of consummate literary bravery, a writer known for her clarity allowing us to watch her mind as it becomes clouded with grief . . . It also skips backward in time [to] call up a shimmering portrait of her unique marriage . . . To make her grief real, Didion shows us what she has lost."
-Lev Grossman, Time
"I can't think of a book we need more than hers . . . I can't imagine dying without this book."
-John Leonard, New York Review of Books
"Achingly beautiful . . . We have come to admire and love Didion for her preternatural poise, unrivaled eye for absurdity, and Orwellian distaste for cant. It is thus a difficult, moving, and extraordinarily poignant experience to watch her direct such scrutiny inward."
-Gideon Lewis-Kraus, Los Angeles Times
"Stunning candor and piercing details . . . An indelible portrait of loss and grief . . . [A] haunting portrait of a four-decade-long marriage."
-Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times
About the Author
JOAN DIDION was born in Sacramento in 1934 and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1956. After graduation, Didion moved to New York and began working for Vogue, which led to her career as a journalist and writer. Didion published her first novel, Run River, in 1963. Didion's other novels include A Book of Common Prayer (1977), Democracy (1984), and The Last Thing He Wanted (1996).
Didion's first volume of essays, Slouching Towards Bethlehem, was published in 1968, and her second, The White Album, was published in 1979. Her nonfiction works include Salvador (1983), Miami (1987), After Henry (1992), Political Fictions (2001), Where I Was From (2003), We Tell Ourselves Stories in Order to Live (2006), Blue Nights (2011), South and West (2017) and Let Me Tell You What I Mean (2021). Her memoir The Year of Magical Thinking won the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 2005.
In 2005, Didion was awarded the American Academy of Arts & Letters Gold Medal in Criticism and Belles Letters. In 2007, she was awarded the National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. A portion of National Book Foundation citation read: "An incisive observer of American politics and culture for more than forty-five years, Didion's distinctive blend of spare, elegant prose and fierce intelligence has earned her books a place in the canon of American literature as well as the admiration of generations of writers and journalists." In 2013, she was awarded a National Medal of Arts and Humanities by President Barack Obama, and the PEN Center USA's Lifetime Achievement Award.
Didion said of her writing: "I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking, what I'm looking at, what I see and what it means." She died in December 2021.
Throughout the book, Smith provides thought-provoking anecdotes and examples to illustrate the various forms of magical thinking. From superstitions and rituals to manifestation practices and spiritual beliefs, she offers a comprehensive analysis of the different ways magical thinking manifests in our lives. In the final chapters, the author encourages readers to reflect on their own beliefs and examine the role of magical thinking in their lives. She highlights the importance of balancing magical thinking with rationality and critical thinking. By understanding the psychological mechanisms behind magical thinking, individuals can make more informed choices about their beliefs and challenge irrational thoughts. The Magical Thinking Book is a captivating exploration of a complex and mysterious aspect of human nature. It invites readers to question their own beliefs and engage in a deeper understanding of the power of the mind. Whether you are a skeptic or a believer, this book offers valuable insights into the fascinating world of magical thinking..
Reviews for "Channel your inner magician with the help of the Magical Thinking Book"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Magical thinkini boik" based on all the hype it received, but I was ultimately disappointed. The story felt disjointed and hard to follow, with too many characters and subplots that didn't seem to connect. The writing style was also confusing, with excessive descriptions that slowed down the pace of the book. Overall, I found it hard to engage with the story and was left feeling unsatisfied.
2. John - 1 star - I found "Magical thinkini boik" to be a complete waste of time. The plot was predictable and lacked originality, with cliched characters and a shallow storyline. The author seemed more focused on creating a fantasy world than developing deep, meaningful characters or exploring thought-provoking themes. I was hoping for a thought-provoking read, but instead, I was left bored and unimpressed.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Magical thinkini boik" had potential, but it fell short for me. The pacing was all over the place, with scenes that dragged on unnecessarily and others that felt rushed. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Additionally, the world-building was confusing and lacked depth, leaving many unanswered questions. Overall, I was expecting more from this book and was left feeling underwhelmed.
4. Alex - 3 stars - While "Magical thinkini boik" had its moments, it didn't live up to the hype for me. The story had interesting concepts, but they were poorly executed. The pacing was inconsistent, with long stretches of slow development followed by rushed resolutions. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to invest in their journeys. While the idea behind the book was intriguing, the execution left much to be desired.