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A review by bmarchman
Slow Days, Fast Company. The World, the Flesh, and L.A. by Eve Babitz
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
I feel ashamed to admit I had not heard of Eve Babitz before ordering this book and starting to read it. I thought I had found some little known LA author of the 70’s and instead discovered I was the one late to the party. I was instantly enthralled with the writing of this book and its descriptions of LA and Southern California in the 70’s through the eyes of Babitz. While not every story immediately hit me like when I read Joan Didion or other California writers, I appreciated how singular and interesting Babitz was compared to those writers.
As Matthew Specktor in his introduction to this book says, “sternness was inimical to Babitz.” While sometimes it is refreshing to have Didion’s judgment as a compass for understanding San Francisco of the 60’s or LA of the 70’s, you feel far more along for the ride with Babitz. It’s both a good and bad thing, but something that seems appropriate from someone born and raised in LA.
As Matthew Specktor in his introduction to this book says, “sternness was inimical to Babitz.” While sometimes it is refreshing to have Didion’s judgment as a compass for understanding San Francisco of the 60’s or LA of the 70’s, you feel far more along for the ride with Babitz. It’s both a good and bad thing, but something that seems appropriate from someone born and raised in LA.