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versmonesprit's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
These fictionalised memoirs were at first OK, but the second I realised they all followed the same format and had the exact same tone, the repetitiveness became deathly boring — and this happened before half-way through the book.
I would have loved to elaborate, but this was one of those books that made me genuinely furious: I couldn’t stand Babitz’s disgusting racism and misogyny. If she wasn’t a jealous, bitter, nasty hypocrite whose entire personality was being from and living in Los Angeles, and who exuded nothing but “pick me” energy, she sure did one hell of a job Wattpad-writing a villain.
If you’re still fine with reading a woman berate other women for their appearances, their makeup and perfume, or pit women against each other — overall be evil to women… the casual racism is truly sickening.
And if you still think you’d be fine with these issues because Babitz is dead so she can no longer profit off being evil (which I believe is OK, I also read a lot of dead white men who would tie for record-breaking gold if racism and misogyny were Olympic sports) don’t say I didn’t warn you: these stories are choppy, pointless, and artless. Literally, not a single saving grace.
Oh and the author of Sweetbitter wrote an equally racially insensitive introduction to this book, so at least the one thing Black Swans added to my life was providing me with the best reason to take Sweetbitter off my TBR list.
I would have loved to elaborate, but this was one of those books that made me genuinely furious: I couldn’t stand Babitz’s disgusting racism and misogyny. If she wasn’t a jealous, bitter, nasty hypocrite whose entire personality was being from and living in Los Angeles, and who exuded nothing but “pick me” energy, she sure did one hell of a job Wattpad-writing a villain.
If you’re still fine with reading a woman berate other women for their appearances, their makeup and perfume, or pit women against each other — overall be evil to women… the casual racism is truly sickening.
And if you still think you’d be fine with these issues because Babitz is dead so she can no longer profit off being evil (which I believe is OK, I also read a lot of dead white men who would tie for record-breaking gold if racism and misogyny were Olympic sports) don’t say I didn’t warn you: these stories are choppy, pointless, and artless. Literally, not a single saving grace.
Oh and the author of Sweetbitter wrote an equally racially insensitive introduction to this book, so at least the one thing Black Swans added to my life was providing me with the best reason to take Sweetbitter off my TBR list.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Racism
Moderate: Drug abuse
Minor: Eating disorder, Cancer, Car accident, Child abuse, Death of parent, Self harm, and Death
hannahlouise_'s review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
this is my first book of Eve Babitz’ i read - i went in expecting Joan Didion and while she is definitely not Didionesque, she recounts a different LA + one that was really interesting to read
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Sexual content, Addiction, Alcoholism, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Drug use, Drug abuse, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
delilahgknight's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I've been wanting to read Babitz, and this collection in particular, for quite some time and I'm so glad I got around to it. Babitz's writing is so vivacious and sharp and witty. There were some stories I enjoyed more than others but even the ones that weren't my cup of tea were by no means bad. I think my favourites were 'Jealousy', 'Free Tibet', 'Coco' and 'Black Swans'.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Drug use
Moderate: Death and Police brutality
Minor: Eating disorder
agnesbebon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
I think Stephanie Danler’s introduction to this book is perfect. She perfectly captured Eve and this novel. I particularly found myself going back to where she wrote, “There are half a dozen moments in Black Swans that feel disturbing in hindsight (Eve’s lack of political consciousness is hard to read in 2018...).”
Eve Babitz has a wonderful writing style. As Danler writes, “her stories often felt like unfinished sketches. Observations never coalescing into an investigation, with each piece skirting any moral footing from first sentence to last.” Her writing is fun, beautiful, and dances around The Point in a way I found delightful.
I choose to look at this book as self-aware satire, which is why I’m rating it at 4 stars. I recommend reading the book through this lens, and I often found myself wondering if she wrote it that way - it’s biographical fiction, after all. I loved how the stories were all connected, yet inconsistent (I love an inconsistent narrator), and floated back and forth through time.
Eve Babitz has a wonderful writing style. As Danler writes, “her stories often felt like unfinished sketches. Observations never coalescing into an investigation, with each piece skirting any moral footing from first sentence to last.” Her writing is fun, beautiful, and dances around The Point in a way I found delightful.
I choose to look at this book as self-aware satire, which is why I’m rating it at 4 stars. I recommend reading the book through this lens, and I often found myself wondering if she wrote it that way - it’s biographical fiction, after all. I loved how the stories were all connected, yet inconsistent (I love an inconsistent narrator), and floated back and forth through time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug use, and Alcohol
Moderate: Police brutality, Racism, Sexism, Fatphobia, Suicide, Drug abuse, and Death
Minor: Cancer
bookgirllife's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
What I have decided upon reading this book is that Eve Babitz is a cool girl. My god, what a witty and exuberant writer she made. Her character and humour shine through her prose. This was my first introduction to Babitz and I was surprised by how modern the stories were. Not sure if that's Babitz's credit or society's failure, but in either case, her work is very captivating. I loved her conversational tone. Reading Black Swans made me feel like I was listening to a friend tell me stories about what they got up to throughout different stages of their life.
One of the first standout pieces for me was ‘Free Tibet.’ I hadn’t put this book down until I reached the end of ‘Free Tibet’ and needed some time to sit with it. The way that story made me feel was something else altogether. Babitz induced a whole spectrum of emotion from the lightheartedness of the main character to the devastating ending. Every now and then you come across a story that makes you evaluate your own life and I think that's what makes for excellent art. My other favourites were 'Coco' and 'Black Swans'. These are both stories of troubled relationships and bad habits. The prose in 'Black Swans' was my favourite of the collection.
The only critique I have is the very out-of-touch and flippant commentary on the LA riots. The way she tackles this lacks tact.
That said, I will be returning to Babitz soon. I enjoyed her writing and storytelling, and I want to read more from her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Death, and Police brutality
Minor: Eating disorder
kangaci's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Alcohol, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Addiction, Car accident, Death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Grief, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
seabirdlorna's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Death
Moderate: Police brutality and Violence
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