Why Didn't You Just Do What You Were Told?: Essays

Jenny Diski was a fearless writer who fearlessly addressed difficult subjects, including her own cancer diagnosis, in her columns for the London Review of Books. Her writing was praised for its wit, insight, and emotional depth, and she is considered a master of the nonfiction form.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 448 pages
Publication date: 25 November 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Jenny Diski is a writer who defies conventionality and embraces the unconventional. Her work is characterized by its non-linear, non-normal, and often captivating nature. Diski is not only highly intelligent but also incredibly funny, making her writing both entertaining and thought-provoking.

The Sunday Times has praised her for her "funny, heartbreaking, insightful, and wise" writing, while Emilia Clarke has described her as "funny, heartbroken, insightful, and wise." Jenny Diski's fearless approach to writing extended the boundaries of nonfiction as an art form, showcasing her ability to tackle difficult subjects with wit and insight.

Her columns in the London Review of Books, selected by her editor and friend Mary-Kay Wilmers, cover a wide range of topics, including death, motherhood, sexual politics, and the pleasures of solitude. These columns have been praised for their "virtuoso performances" and "small masterpieces," showcasing Diski's exceptional writing skills.

From Highgate Cemetery to the interior of a psychiatric hospital, from Tottenham Court Road to the icebergs of Antarctica, Why Didnt You Just Do What You Were Told? is a collective interrogation of the universal human experience from a very particular psyche. Diski's original, opinionated, and mordantly funny perspective brings a fresh and unique perspective to her writing, making it both accessible and engaging.

In conclusion, Jenny Diski is a writer who has made a significant impact on the literary world with her unconventional and captivating style. Her fearless approach to writing has expanded the boundaries of nonfiction, and her columns in the London Review of Books have been praised for their virtuoso performances and small masterpieces. Diski's unique perspective and mordantly funny writing make her work both entertaining and thought-provoking, and her contributions to the literary world will be remembered for years to come.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526621948