Maya Hawke to Narrate Audiobook of Joan Didion'sSlouching Towards Bethlehem: 'An Incredible Experience' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Trevor Tweeten; Macmillan Audio

Maya Hawkeis entering her audiobook era with a beloved classic that holds a special place in her heart.

The actress and singer, 26, is bringing her signature raspy voice toJoan Didion’s first nonfiction essay collection,Slouching Towards Bethlehem, in a new audiobook format — and PEOPLE has an exclusive first listen.

It is one of the late writer’s most iconic works, and is widely considered to be a watershed moment in American literature. It has also proved critical for Hawke as she navigates her 20s.

“I have always been a huge fan of Joan Didion’s writing. Many of the essays inSlouching Towards Bethlehemwere written when she was in her 20s, and it’s been an incredible experience to get to spend so much time with her words and feel a sense of camaraderie almost sixty years later,” theStranger Thingsstar said in a statement.

“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to narrate her brilliant work and introduce her iconic prose to a new generation,” she added.

Exclusive excerpt of Maya Hawke reading ‘Slouching Toward Bethlehem’

Hawke has previously done narration for audiobooks including Alexi Pappas' memoirBraveyand James Ellroy’sAmerican Tabloid, whose voice cast also included Brian Cox.

Notably, she also voiced Anxiety in box-office hitInside Out 2.

Didion, whodied in 2021, was known for her storied journalism and literature career, which can be traced back to her iconic 1961 essay “On Self-Respect." It was originally published inVogue, where she was interning at the time.

Also during her time at the magazine, Didion released her first novel, 1963’sRun River, thoughSlouching Towards Bethlehemis what really cemented her reputation as a keen observer and storyteller.

Joan Didion.Neville Elder/Corbis via Getty

Neville Elder/Corbis via Getty

Both works ultimately sparked a decades-long career that spawned literary staples likeThe White Album(1979) and later,TheYear of Magical Thinking(2005), which won a National Book Award for nonfiction writing.

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source: people.com