Susan Orlean's latest memoir, Joyride, is an extraordinary exploration of her own life - one full of twists, turns, and surprises. The journalist-turned-author has spent decades chronicling the lives of others, but this book delves into the depths of her own obsession with storytelling.
Orlean has always been drawn to the peculiar and the unknown, as evident in her work on a range of subjects from origami artists to cults and surfers. She finds joy in "hiding in plain sight" stories, where everyday life holds hidden complexities, and "who knew?" tales, which reveal unexpected secrets and surprises.
In Joyride, Orlean recounts her own journey - one marked by marriage, divorce, cancer diagnosis, and the loss of her mother to a nursing home. Yet, despite these personal struggles, she remains steadfast in her pursuit of storytelling, driven by an insatiable curiosity about the world around her.
At its core, Joyride is a memoir about obsession - Orlean's own and that of her subjects. She explores how writers are often motivated by a desire to uncover hidden truths, rather than simply sharing their own experiences. As she so eloquently puts it, "writers fall into two categories: there are those who have something they want to say to the world, and there are those who believe the world has something to tell them."
Throughout her career, Orlean has navigated an ever-changing publishing landscape, where budgets are tight and story assignments can be unpredictable. Yet, she remains undaunted, driven by a relentless passion for storytelling that knows no bounds.
Joyride is a fitting tribute to this remarkable author - a memoir that seamlessly weaves together the threads of her own life with those of her subjects, revealing the intricate web of connections that bind us all. As Orlean herself notes, "the writing life is one of constant highwire creative reinvention," and Joyride is a testament to her unwavering dedication to this art form.
Ultimately, Joyride is not just a memoir - it's an ode to the power of storytelling itself, and the boundless joys that can be found in letting ourselves be surprised.
Orlean has always been drawn to the peculiar and the unknown, as evident in her work on a range of subjects from origami artists to cults and surfers. She finds joy in "hiding in plain sight" stories, where everyday life holds hidden complexities, and "who knew?" tales, which reveal unexpected secrets and surprises.
In Joyride, Orlean recounts her own journey - one marked by marriage, divorce, cancer diagnosis, and the loss of her mother to a nursing home. Yet, despite these personal struggles, she remains steadfast in her pursuit of storytelling, driven by an insatiable curiosity about the world around her.
At its core, Joyride is a memoir about obsession - Orlean's own and that of her subjects. She explores how writers are often motivated by a desire to uncover hidden truths, rather than simply sharing their own experiences. As she so eloquently puts it, "writers fall into two categories: there are those who have something they want to say to the world, and there are those who believe the world has something to tell them."
Throughout her career, Orlean has navigated an ever-changing publishing landscape, where budgets are tight and story assignments can be unpredictable. Yet, she remains undaunted, driven by a relentless passion for storytelling that knows no bounds.
Joyride is a fitting tribute to this remarkable author - a memoir that seamlessly weaves together the threads of her own life with those of her subjects, revealing the intricate web of connections that bind us all. As Orlean herself notes, "the writing life is one of constant highwire creative reinvention," and Joyride is a testament to her unwavering dedication to this art form.
Ultimately, Joyride is not just a memoir - it's an ode to the power of storytelling itself, and the boundless joys that can be found in letting ourselves be surprised.
. As someone who loves reading and writing, I can totally relate to her obsession with storytelling 
. It's like we're all just trying to unravel the mystery of human experience, right? 
But what I find really inspiring is how she navigates those unpredictable moments in her life – marriage, divorce, cancer diagnosis... it's like she's always saying, "Okay, universe, bring it on!" 
. I'm curious to see how she weaves those personal struggles into the fabric of her writing, though 
. Overall, I'm expecting a wild ride (no pun intended 
) that'll leave me feeling both moved and inspired!
. But for real though, I'm glad she's sharing all her personal struggles with us because... you know, we really needed to hear more about her cancer diagnosis and nursing home experiences 
. And can we talk about how relatable it is when authors say they're motivated by a desire to uncover hidden truths? Like, yeah no kidding, Susan, that's why we buy your books 
.
! I mean, who wouldn't want to read about a life full of twists and turns? But seriously, it's amazing how she can make you see the world from different perspectives, like with those origami artists she wrote about - they're literally hiding in plain sight 
. And can we talk about her writing process for a sec? I mean, she's always been drawn to weird & wonderful stories, but here she's exploring her own obsession with storytelling... it's almost as if she's trying to show us that our lives are full of hidden complexities too 
. But what's amazing is how it didn't stop her from pursuing her passion, it just fueled it 
. Anyway, can we talk more about Joyride soon?
. I mean, who doesn't love a good story about someone else's life, right? But what really stands out is how she delves into her own personal struggles and still manages to keep the focus on storytelling. It's like, she's not afraid to be vulnerable and share her own "who knew?" moments. And let's be real, I'm a sucker for a good underdog story - it sounds like Orlean has been through some tough times, but she never gives up on what she loves. The way she talks about writers being motivated by a desire to uncover hidden truths is so true, you know? It's all about finding that magic in everyday life