In "The Year of Magical Thinking," Joan Didion explores her profound grief following the sudden death of her husband, John Gregory Dunne, and the serious illness of their daughter. Through her reflections, she conveys the raw emotions and surreal experiences of mourning, capturing the disorientation and helplessness that can accompany such loss. Didion's intimate narrative digs deep into the complexities of memory, love, and the struggle to comprehend life without her loved ones.

The quote "Information was control" resonates deeply within her exploration of grief. It highlights the desire for certainty and understanding in a chaotic situation, reflecting her emotional state where knowledge felt like a way to regain some sense of stability. Through her journey, Didion illustrates how the quest for information can be both a coping mechanism and an acknowledgment of the overwhelming unpredictability of life and death.