Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
She says the words, sex and rage 3 times but never really elaborates on either word beyond being a concept she seems to fear or dread.
A lot of people saying they don't get the point of this one. A reflection on a bygone time in LA, Hollywood, California, WHILE it's happening. Lush, saccharine, intoxicating cast of characters. Everyone does something, but nobody does anything. Incredible use of language. General idle malaise infused with an anger broiling under the surface only acted upon in the form of excessive drink to brew some inspired outbursts. Excellent.
Not enough sex. Very sexless, in fact. Rage to me should be visible, but the anger in this novel underlines everything very rarely rearing its head. Strong 4 stars due to misleading title.
Not enough sex. Very sexless, in fact. Rage to me should be visible, but the anger in this novel underlines everything very rarely rearing its head. Strong 4 stars due to misleading title.
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
poor little alcoholic nepo baby <\3
It’s hard to sympathize with this egotistical architect of her own demise, given countless opportunities she squanders them at every turn, thinking of little besides the surf and her own pleasure. I can appreciate this as a work of its time, when most women were participating in somewhat conservative nuclear family life she adventures on a different path. Still, it’s so clearly autofiction that I had trouble empathizing with this character who so clearly believes she is a cool girl ? Main character syndrome aside, this book has no plot themes or ideals- only small events culminating in mostly nothing with various characters (mainly older men.)
Still I can’t help but wax upon how beautiful some of the prose is, especially surrounding her descriptions of Max which were brief but enticing. An unbearable character who maybe speaks to something interesting going on at the time in an engaging way. It’s unfair perhaps to compare her to Didion- but they are often so for two women writing around the same time it’s interesting she seems to inhabit almost the reverse cultural effect, writing vapidly in very poignant ways where Didion wrote very wrought and impactful pieces that were very paired down/barren. The novel took a real upswing towards the end, when the characters are more established and Jacaranda has stopped drinking and you can ride along in her adventures without getting caught up in her privilege and naivety. It’s interesting to find the fake friend motif in LA being used by LA natives about NY people. A tale of caution against falling in love with the mean gays lmao.
This is the first book of hers that I have read. Definitely a weird and dreamy vibe - I think it was good enough to get me to read more of her stuff.
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
such a fun read. i didn’t know whether to root for her or not but like i need to be her. i want to read babitz other work to fully come to a conclusion but kinda forgettable??!! idk i need to figure it out. obsessed with the aesthetic and the vibe tbh.