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coconutboots99's review
4.0
Eve really was the It Girl. While her writing is so different from "modern feminism", you have to realize that she was an icon of reclaiming female sensuality and power, and that does involve being entangled with men, and in this case the men were all powerful artists. Eve is objective, confident, and romantic when describing herself and her interactions over the course of her life. Yes, there is most certainly generational divide and differences, and she lived a life I wouldn't necessarily pursue, but the glorious fact of the matter is she and I both have the option to choose our lives, and both are just as equally charming.
I'm glad she was able to write after her long hiatus following her horrific accident in which she was burned from the waist down. It is evident Eve held a lot of her power in her feminine physical, and losing that could destroy anyone mentally. It would be the equivalent of if I lost my hair or eyes, places where I hold my own feminine power. She's certainly a strong woman, but more importantly, she's human. Just like her famous chess game, Eve presented her life in its purest naked form, and THAT is what made her a great writer. Not just her prose, diction or flow, but her ability to be an open book.
I definitely recommend this book, and I recommend taking time with it. Read it on days where you're not feeling your fullest potential. Put yourself in the shoes of a woman who could look across a room, wearing outdated skirts and tank tops, or simple black dresses from the back of her closet, and could immediately draw in any individual like a magnet and keep them with her.
I'm glad she was able to write after her long hiatus following her horrific accident in which she was burned from the waist down. It is evident Eve held a lot of her power in her feminine physical, and losing that could destroy anyone mentally. It would be the equivalent of if I lost my hair or eyes, places where I hold my own feminine power. She's certainly a strong woman, but more importantly, she's human. Just like her famous chess game, Eve presented her life in its purest naked form, and THAT is what made her a great writer. Not just her prose, diction or flow, but her ability to be an open book.
I definitely recommend this book, and I recommend taking time with it. Read it on days where you're not feeling your fullest potential. Put yourself in the shoes of a woman who could look across a room, wearing outdated skirts and tank tops, or simple black dresses from the back of her closet, and could immediately draw in any individual like a magnet and keep them with her.
alexameyer86's review
5.0
oh my god this took me forever to read but i’m actually kind of glad bc my entire month of august has been romantically punctuated by babitz’s delicious observations and musings. i love this woman
mairimav's review
4.0
I've said it once and i will say it again. I'm willing to samelessly read Eve Babitz's grocery list. She's one of my favourite authors ever, the original IT-girl/nepo baby/influencer having lived a thousand lives whereas most of us have only lived one. She name drops like crazy, but they are part of this complex and compelling storyterlling that everyone is part of sth bigger and nothing she does is ever boring or mundane.
Alas, it took me absolutely forever to finish this book and although I regret nothing, please spare me.
Alas, it took me absolutely forever to finish this book and although I regret nothing, please spare me.
prosenotbros's review
4.0
Unsure why the title is in the past tense – Eve is and forever will be charming. Every essay oozes with moxie, spunk, and wry humor.
emhirsh's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
eve babitz writes in confidence with the reader, but some of her essays appeal more than others (for instance, a novella-length exploration of the Italian brand Fiorucci was Not for me)
eleddy's review
My first Eve Babitz! Very well-written and entertaining. Wish I knew more of the pop culture references.