A Book of Common Prayer by Joan Didion

Joan Didion’s A Book of Common Prayer depicts a common trend that was seen throughout Central America throughout the 1970’s, 80’s, and in some cases, even today. To emphasize the commonality of the regimes and coups that took place, Didion sets her story in the imaginary Central American country of Boca Grande. However, the story of the political climate is connected to the forefront of the plot in two ways: the narrator, Grace, is an American expatriate living in Boca Grande and widowed by a member of the ruling family and brings the main character, Charlotte Douglas, to life by narrating her story, and also when the coup overthrows the ruling family and Charlotte dies in the overtaking. Everything in between describes Charlotte’s marriage to an abusive alcoholic and professor of literature (who would have thought?) and to a Berkeley California lawyer, as well as her daughter’s involvement with a Marxist organization and her second, practically still-born child. During her time in Boca Grande, Charlotte is present during many meetings having to do with the overthrow of the regime, but she acts oblivious to what is going on around her. Perhaps she wanted to feel connected to her daughter without acknowledging the violence that would result.

Didion, as always, depicts the reality of the times. By depicting an American woman in Boca Grande, she is able to do so of both the Central American and American cultures, ranging from corrupt government and regimes, to the American lifestyle on many different levels represented by Charlotte’s husbands and daughter. They are all embodied in Charlotte’s character.

Although I enjoyed reading this novel, Didion’s matter-of-fact style, which I admire greatly, is better suited for her essays. I find her to be an excellent verbal photographer of her times always gathering telling snapshots of the existing range of cultures.