Joan Didion's Psychiatry Sessions Raise Questions of Exploitation

Joan Didion's posthumous publication, "Notes to John," is a collection of journal entries from her psychiatry sessions with her psychiatrist, who was an old-fashioned Freudian. The entries cover her troubled relationship with her adopted daughter, Quintana, who struggled with alcoholism, causing rifts between them. The book feels exploitative, as Didion's diary was left in a filing cabinet for 20 years before being published. It raises questions about the opportunism of publishing an author's personal and private notes without their consent.

Joan Didion's posthumous publication, "Notes to John," offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the life of one of America's most celebrated writers. The collection, a compilation of journal entries from Didion's psychiatry sessions, provides an unprecedented look at her personal struggles, particularly her complicated relationship with her adopted daughter, Quintana, who battled alcoholism. The book, published in 2025, has sparked controversy due to its exploitative nature, as Didion's private notes were left in a filing cabinet for 20 years before being made public [1].

The book reveals Didion's internal turmoil, including her feelings of inadequacy and her struggles with her daughter's mental health. The entries, penned during her sessions with a Freudian psychiatrist, Dr. MacKinnon, offer insights into Didion's psyche and her relationships. The book also touches on Didion's financial struggles, her desire to give up writing movies, and her complex feelings towards her daughter's mental health issues [1].

The publication of "Notes to John" raises significant ethical questions about the exploitation of an author's personal notes. While the book provides valuable insights into Didion's life and writing, it also raises concerns about the opportunism of publishing an author's private diary without their consent. Didion's estate assembled the notes, but the decision to publish them has been widely criticized, with some arguing that it is a violation of her privacy and legacy [1].

Despite the controversy, "Notes to John" has been praised for its literary merit and its ability to shed light on the complex human experiences of one of America's most influential writers. The book offers a unique perspective on the mind of an icon and provides a valuable resource for those interested in the psychology of creativity and the challenges faced by artists and writers.

References:
[1] Lefsetz, J. (2025). Joan Didion Diaries “Notes to John”. Retrieved from https://lefsetz.com/wordpress/