As much as I love Slouching Towards Bethlehem and The White Album, I have to admit that I put The Year of Magical Thinking down after I got about half-way through the (very short) book. Indeed, I left the book feeling like Didion is a mediocre writer who'd like my pity.
I saw the performance 12 September. I had been looking forward to this and was very disappointed. From the opening threat that "this will happen to you", it went downhill. I really couldn't take anything away from this other than I would suggest (not even recommend) it as a resource to any wealthy, professional writers who happened to experience the loss of a loved one. Not sure what the heck they would take from it, though.