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sabrinames's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
Moderate: Suicide and Suicidal thoughts
katsusho_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I think it was probably because I wasn't in the right mood to appreciate this properly. Maybe if I've grown to be middle-age would I enjoy this. I was simply not the demographic. But this would be a good read for someone whose more interested in Hollywood culture and Los Angeles. Don't get me wrong, I also think this would be good for someone who is interested in a socialite finding their defining interest and making it out in the working world.
Don't let me stop you from reading this! (Maybe I just feel bad not appreciating a book from a decent author.) Maybe it's also because I'm more of a classics reader, and have never read a non-fiction? so this is a bit out of my comfort zone. I've also read a classic right before this, maybe it's the reason I wasn't in the mood.
Graphic: Drug use, Addiction, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Car accident
versmonesprit's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Misogyny and Racism
Moderate: Drug abuse
Minor: Eating disorder, Cancer, Car accident, Child abuse, Death of parent, Self harm, and Death
valeocampo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, and Drug abuse
hannahlouise_'s review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Sexual content, Addiction, Alcoholism, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Drug use, Drug abuse, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
agnesbebon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
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.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug use, and Alcohol
Moderate: Police brutality, Racism, Sexism, Fatphobia, Suicide, Drug abuse, and Death
Minor: Cancer