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sabrinames's review against another edition
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
Moderate: Suicide and Suicidal thoughts
katsusho_'s review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
- I probably should have read the blurb instead of hopping into this blindly. Rating this book lower than others might be a mistake on my part. I mean, if I were to read a book about Eve's experience with Hollywood in the 80's perhaps I should be expecting a litte bit of what seems like celebrity gossip. I don't know, I felt partially intruding on conversations I shouldn't have heard. But it most of the reason I rated it low. The writing was fine, and at some parts it was intriguiging enough to keep me going.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Addiction, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Car accident
flossiepalmer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism and Drug use
erinbarton's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
loooove eve babitz’s writing style: funny, anecdotal, honest, observational, very summery
fave stories: jealousy, free tibet, self-enchanted city, black swans
fave stories: jealousy, free tibet, self-enchanted city, black swans
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use
valeocampo's review
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, and Drug abuse
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
katiezew's review
3.25
Like having a really long conversation with someone and you can't walk away because it'd be rude. Anyway, sometimes it was interesting, but most people were awful or boring.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Self harm
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
bluesourskittl_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, and Drug use