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Review of The year of magical thinking by Joan Didion

Review    The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion The Year of Magical Thinking is a deeply moving memoir by Joan Didion, published in 2005. It chronicles the year following the sudden death of her husband, writer John Gregory Dunne, and her struggle to cope with that loss while also caring for their critically ill daughter, Quintana. The book opens on an ordinary evening: Joan and John are sitting down to dinner when John suddenly collapses from a heart attack and dies. This moment marks the beginning of a year filled with intense grief, reflection, and emotional turmoil for Didion. Throughout the memoir, Didion shares her raw and honest experiences of mourning. She writes about the shock, denial, anger, guilt, and deep sadness that follow John’s death. One of the central themes of the book is "magical thinking"—the irrational belief that she could somehow reverse what happened. This manifests in her reluctance to throw away his shoes or clothes, as if he might retur...

Breaking the silence

 Silence is often seen as a sign of strength, patience, or endurance. But there are times when silence becomes a burden, trapping us in situations that harm us. Breaking the silence is not just about speaking up—it’s about reclaiming our voice, power, and freedom. It’s about choosing to no longer hide our pain, fears, or struggles and finding the courage to tell our stories.     Many women suffer in silence, whether it is from domestic violence, workplace harassment, or societal expectations. They are told to endure, to adjust, and to not cause trouble. This silence isn’t a choice for them—it’s forced upon them by fear of judgment, rejection, or retaliation. But this silence comes at a cost. It takes away their confidence, their dreams, and sometimes even their lives.     One inspiring example of breaking the silence is the story of one of our own university teacher. She is known as a kind and strong individual who made a significant impact on her students’...

The Art of Goodbye

  The Art of Goodbye Goodbyes are never easy. They bring a mix of emotions—sadness, nostalgia, and sometimes even fear of what lies ahead. But they are also an important part of life, a way to move forward and grow. I never understood this until I had to face one of the hardest goodbyes of my life: saying farewell to my college friends during our farewell party. That day taught me the art of goodbye, a lesson that has stayed with me ever since and helped me let go of many things in life. It was the last month of college, and the farewell party had been planned for weeks. Everyone was excited about dressing up, taking pictures, and celebrating the four years we had spent together. But beneath all the excitement, there was also a heaviness in the air. We all knew this wasn’t just another party. It was a goodbye—to our college life, to the campus that had been like a second home, and most importantly, to the friends who had become like family. On the evening of the party, the auditori...