Maya Hawke has been hired to narrate the audiobook for Joan Didion’s 1968 book of essays, Slouching Towards Bethlehem.
The iconic literary effort by the late author, who died at age 87 in 2021, includes nonfiction works On Keeping a Notebook and Goodbye to All That.
In a statement shared by People magazine, the 26-year-old Stranger Things star said, ‘I have always been a huge fan of Joan Didion’s writing.
‘Many of the essays in Slouching Towards Bethlehem were 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.’
She added, ‘It’s an honor to have the opportunity to narrate her brilliant work and introduce her iconic prose to a new generation.’
Maya Hawke has been hired to narrate the audiobook for Joan Didion ‘s 1968 book of essays, Slouching Towards Bethlehem; pictured in June
Didion, pictured in October 2010, died at age 87 in 2021 due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease
Hawke, deemed a ‘nepo baby’ due to being the daughter of famous parents Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, has previous narration experience.
Her past audiobook gigs include the memoir Bravey by Alexi Pappas and American Tabloid by James Ellroy.
She also appeared as the voice of the character Anxiety in this year’s animated sequel Inside Out 2.
Joan Didion was renowned for her provocative social commentary and measured literary voice.
‘Didion was one of the country’s most trenchant writers and astute observers. Her best-selling works of fiction, commentary, and memoir have received numerous honors and are considered modern classics,’ her publisher Penguin Random House said in a statement at the time of her death.
The audiobook edition of Slouching Toward Bethlehem is slated to be published on November 5 by Macmillan Audio.
Ahead of the release date, it is available for preorder.
In an interview with The Times, published in June, Hawke confessed that she’s comfortable being lumped in with other kids of Hollywood stars who are beneficiaries of nepotism.
The iconic literary effort by the late author, who died at age 87 in 2021, includes nonfiction works On Keeping a Notebook and Goodbye to All That
Maya has been deemed a ‘nepo baby’ due to being the daughter of famous parents; pictured with dad Ethan Hawke in November 2023
Maya pictured with her movie star mother Uma Thurman in October 2023
‘There are so many people who deserve to have this kind of life who don’t, but I think I’m comfortable with not deserving it and doing it anyway,’ the New York City native explained. ‘And I know that my not doing it wouldn’t help anyone.’
She added, ‘I saw two paths when I was first starting, and one of them was: change your name, get a nose job and go to open casting roles.’
The rising actress and singer declared, ‘It’s okay to be made fun of when you’re in rarefied air. It’s a lucky place to be.
‘My relationships with my parents are really honest and positive, and that supersedes anything anyone can say about it.’
