I dealt with everyone at a distance': what do Joan Didion's therapy diaries reveal about guilt, motherhood and writing?

The New York Public Library recently opened the archive of Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne, featuring 336 boxes of their work and personal materials. This collection offers insights into their collaborative projects, including films and personal life, showcasing their emotional journey. A new book derived from the archive, 'Notes to John,' presents Didion’s reflections on her psychiatric sessions discussing her daughter's addiction and depression, revealing profound aspects of her identity, marriage, and parenting amidst family crises. This archive not only chronicles their professional legacy but also their intimate struggles.

Didion's archive offers unprecedented insights into her and Dunne's personal and creative lives, showcasing their intimate struggles and achievements throughout their careers.

The new book, 'Notes to John,' reveals Didion's deep psychological exploration during a crisis, reflecting on her daughter's struggles and their entwined lives.

Read at www.theguardian.com