In her latest work, Lili Anolik dives deep into one of the most fascinating literary relationships of 20th century Los Angeles – the complex friendship-turned-rivalry between Joan Didion and Eve Babitz. Through meticulous research and previously undiscovered letters, Anolik crafts an intimate portrait of two writers whose paths crossed at a pivotal moment in California’s cultural history.
The Discovery
The book begins with an archival revelation: boxes of Eve Babitz’s personal papers, discovered after her death in 2021, containing a treasure trove of letters never sent to Joan Didion. These missives serve as the skeleton key to understanding not just their relationship, but the broader cultural moment they inhabited.
Strengths & Notable Elements
Expert Navigation of Complex Relationships
Anolik demonstrates remarkable skill in untangling the web of relationships, ambitions, and resentments that defined the Franklin Avenue scene of late 1960s Los Angeles. Her portrayal of Earl McGrath, the social orchestrator who brought Didion and Babitz together, is particularly nuanced.
Rich Historical Context
The author expertly weaves in the broader historical backdrop – from the Manson murders to the rise of rock ‘n’ roll – showing how these events shaped both writers’ perspectives and work.
Compelling Character Studies
- Joan Didion: Portrayed as calculated, ambitious, and ultimately triumphant
- Eve Babitz: Shown as talented but self-destructive, authentic yet undermined by her own excesses
- Supporting Cast: Vivid portrayals of John Gregory Dunne, Harrison Ford, Jim Morrison, and other cultural figures
Areas for Improvement
Structural Issues
The narrative sometimes feels scattered, jumping between time periods in a way that can disorient readers. While this mirrors the fragmented nature of memory and correspondence, it occasionally sacrifices clarity for style.
Balance
At times, Anolik’s clear preference for Babitz colors her portrayal of Didion. While she acknowledges Didion’s talents, there’s an underlying criticism that sometimes feels personal rather than analytical.
Source Material
While the discovered letters are fascinating, their heavy use sometimes makes the book feel like it’s building too much narrative on too little foundation.
Critical Analysis
What makes this book compelling is Anolik’s ability to use the Didion-Babitz relationship as a lens through which to examine larger questions about:
- Female ambition in the literary world
- The price of artistic success
- The complex dynamic between observation and participation in writing
- The role of self-creation in literary careers
Writing Style & Approach
Anolik adopts a conversational yet analytical tone, mixing scholarly insight with gossipy detail. Her prose is engaging, though occasionally self-conscious. The book’s structure – moving between time periods and perspectives – reflects the fragmentary nature of memory and documentary evidence.
Comparative Context
This work builds on Anolik’s previous book Hollywood’s Eve, but offers a broader perspective by incorporating the Didion angle. It can be productively read alongside:
- Didion’s The White Album
- Babitz’s Eve’s Hollywood
- Tracy Daugherty’s The Last Love Song: A Biography of Joan Didion
Impact & Relevance
The book’s exploration of female literary friendship and rivalry remains deeply relevant to contemporary discussions about women in publishing. It also provides valuable insight into how writers navigate personal relationships when those relationships become source material.
Final Verdict
Pros
- Rich archival research
- Engaging prose style
- Fascinating cultural history
- New insights into both writers
Cons
- Sometimes disjointed narrative
- Occasional bias in perspective
- Over-reliance on limited source material
Didion and Babitz is an imperfect but fascinating exploration of two literary titans and their orbit. While it sometimes struggles with objectivity and structure, it offers valuable insights into both writers’ work and the cultural moment they inhabited. Recommended for readers interested in literary biography, California culture, and the complex dynamics of female friendship in the creative world.
This book will particularly appeal to those interested in:
- Literary biography
- California cultural history
- Women writers
- 1960s-70s American culture
- The evolution of New Journalism
