I have avoided writing this review because this book was beyond disappointing. It was bad.

Though a brilliant premise, Anolik is not interested in writing about Didion. She is obsessed w/ Babitz. This is just another book for her to talk about Babitz. Anolik barely spends anytime actually talking about Didion and when she does talk about Didion, she just spends her time badmouthing her with a kind of visceral hate that makes no sense.

I was most disappointed by the writing style of this book. Anolik writes in such a casual, chatty manner that I found the book a pain to get through. Both Didion and Babitz were such great stylists and it's a shame that Anolik's book is associated with them.

A very fun, witty, and charming history of two special women. Anolik is obviously on the side of Babitz here, but I think she pays Didion her dues. a fun read.

Baddies. That's all that needs to be said. These iconic women, fixtures in a world controlled by men but the power they held. wild. Seeing Didion in a different light in a new subtext. Please don't even get me started on the Didion/Dunne aspect. If you are fascinated with the subculture of the 60's and 70's and feeling like you are reading a little sister's diary, then please read this.

I thought it was okay. The book definitely focused more on Babitz than Didion. I was hoping for more but still an okay read.

I listened to the audiobook of "Hollywood's Eve: Eve Babitz and the Secret History of L.A." from this author last year because I was intrigued by the Hollywood/Art/Music scene in California during the sixties and seventies. I never actually read a book from either Eve Babitz or Joan Didion until just recently- and disliked both. However, I am more interested in reading about these cultural icons as people rather than sampling their work product. Apparently, Eve Babitz and Joan Didion had an intense love/hate relationship over the decades. It was evident from Lili Anolik's last book about Eve Babitz that she is totally infatuated with her. That same obsession fuels this book in a big way, and it kind of sucked the life out of me the more I read this book of almost 400 pages. There are constant references to both Eve and Joan's books auditing secret clues about who they were really writing about, as well as rating the quality of their published works. Anolik's access to recently revealed unsent letters of Eve's in addition to other documents stored in a library were analyzed with a fine tooth comb to add another dimension to this author's un-ending obsession with her. If I could surgically excise the parts about the music and hollywood set that these literary mavens were in bed with- such as Jim Morrison and The Doors, Michelle Phillips of The Mamas and the Papas, Harrison Ford, Steve Martin, Carrie Fisher, Griffin Dunne....etc., etc.,...I would have enjoyed the book more. There was just too much of a deep dive into into their heads that exhausted me, just like their actual writings do. I read for pleasure, not for it to be a forensic exercise.

Thank you to the publisher Scribner for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

Didion and Babitz by Lili Anolik was a bit of a letdown for me. While the premise of comparing and contrasting the lives and works of Joan Didion and Eve Babitz was interesting, the execution fell flat. Anolik's writing style felt overly gossipy and superficial, focusing more on the authors' personal lives and social circles than on their actual literary contributions.

I found myself skimming through pages of unnecessary details and anecdotes, hoping to find some insightful analysis of their writing. Unfortunately, the book lacked depth and substance, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. If you're looking for a serious literary critique, this isn't it. However, if you're interested in the LA social scene of the 60s and 70s, you might find some amusement in the celebrity gossip.

i had such high hopes for this and i’m elated to report that they were (mostly) met.

i went into this knowing minimal knowledge on either writer. i’ve only read from didion twice (Play It As It Lays and The White Album) and babitz once (Black Swans) but from what i’ve experienced thus far i definitely jive more with babitz in terms of style. i knew the two were contemporaries, frenemies, and hollywood literary legends.

anolik’s admiration and attachment to babitz is palpable. i found the segments on babitz to be the most intriguing, in-depth, and charming. the sections more focused on didion felt a bit last minute and lackluster. like, “oh shoot. this is about joan too. i guess i’ll briefly mention what she was doing around this time.” i definitely want to learn more about didion elsewhere as i felt i was fed teeny tiny crumbs in this.

tl;dr: this one is for the babitz girlies. however, the didion girlies might wanna sit out on this one.

(thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!)

A really fun read, though ultimately a lot of your enjoyment is going to hinge on whether or not you can stomach Anolik's super-conversational style.

Ultimately 3 stars for me, though, because this didn't do what it said on the tin. Less "Didion & Babitz," more "Why I Think Babitz Is More Authentic Than Didion." Not surprising from the woman who basically put Eve back in the modern literary conversation, of course.

The Eve worship also does go too far, especially as the book gets toward the end. Anolik's personal climax is Eve offhandedly and lucidly thanking her for the renaissance when they were alone and they never get to have a conversation about it. That feels like fan fiction because, just a few pages before, she handwaves away Eve's burgeoning hardcore conservatism - Facebook posts and all - as a consequence of her Huntington's disease.

Still worth a read, especially if you like these two authors and want to transport yourself to their Los Angeles for a bit.

Didion and Babitz by Lili Anolik is a captivating exploration of the intertwined lives of two of Los Angeles' most iconic literary figures, Joan Didion and Eve Babitz. Anolik, known for her previous work on Babitz, delves into the complicated relationship between these two writers, revealing a dynamic filled with admiration, tension, and a shared influence over the cultural landscape of 1960s and 1970s LA
The book is structured around the discoveries made after Babitz died in 2021 when her sister unearthed a trove of letters and other personal documents that had remained untouched for decades. These documents provide the foundation for Anolik's investigation into the unique bond between Didion and Babitz. Through these letters, particularly one biting missive from Babitz to Didion that was never sent, Anolik constructs a narrative that is as much about the personal as it is about the professional.

Anolik's portrayal of Babitz is steeped in admiration. She highlights her as a free-spirited artist who burned brightly in the LA scene, mingling with rock stars, artists, and writers. On the other hand, Babitz's relationship with Didion is depicted as fraught with complexity. Didion, often seen as the more reserved and enigmatic of the two, is presented through Babitz’s critical lens, which Anolik uses to shed light on Didion's carefully cultivated public persona.
One of the book's strengths is its vivid portrayal of the LA literary and artistic scene during this era. The narrative is peppered with references to the cultural giants of the time, offering readers a glimpse into the world where these two women lived and created. However, some readers might find Anolik's bias toward Babitz could be more manageable, as it sometimes comes at the expense of a more balanced exploration of Didion.

While Didion and Babitz provide a fascinating look at these two influential women, it is not without its flaws. While lending authenticity to her portrayal, Anolik’s deep connection to Babitz also introduces a certain level of subjectivity that may not sit well with all readers. The focus on Babitz sometimes overshadows Didion, leaving the reader with a sense that the book is more of a tribute to Babitz than a balanced comparison.
For fans of Babitz, this book offers a treasure trove of new insights and personal anecdotes that deepen the understanding of her life and work. However, for those more inclined towards Didion, the book may feel one-sided, with Anolik's admiration for Babitz sometimes coloring her interpretation of Didion’s actions and motivations.

Didion and Babitz is a compelling read for those interested in the cultural history of Los Angeles and the complex dynamics between two of its most iconic writers. Anolik's writing is engaging, and her deep dive into Babitz's archives offers a fresh perspective on a well-trodden era. However, readers should approach the book with an understanding of its inherent biases, particularly in its treatment of Didion. Despite its imperfections, the book is a valuable addition to the ongoing conversation about these two literary titans and their lasting impact on American culture.

it turns out that the people who make these enigmatic, smart creatives their whole life tend to write the most annoying and lackluster books about that (i don't know, at this point i'm 2 for 2 with this one and an elaine may book from earlier this year). to be fair, they're meticulously researched and the source material included is fascinating on its own, but i think instead of reading this self-conscious and obsessive stuff i'd rather just read/watch elaine may, joan didion, or eve babitz directly and without this type of commentary.

many thanks to scribner and netgalley for the advance reader copy.

This book was nearly perfect—my biggest complaint was how little it focused on Joan Didion. The author seemed to project on to the two women often, guessing motives and feelings. Lili Anolik's close connection to (and obsession with) Eve Babitz is detriment to the trustworthiness of this book. Nonetheless, Didion and Babitz was riveting and incredibly well-researched

This was a great deep dive from such a personal aspect. The author gave a great perspective of the dynamic between the duo, having been so close to the family.

Thank you NetGalley and the author for sharing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Scribner for giving me access to this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Didion is a writer that I have failed time and time again to understand. Having not enjoyed any of her writing prior, I remained hopeful that maybe this work would provide me more insight on why Didion is so highly praised, however it took me all of 30 or so pages to realize that I simply just do not care. That being said, I wasn’t overly impressed by Anolik’s execution of the information throughout and struggled to get through the book. Ultimately this one was just not meant for me.

Didion and Babitz will be published on November 12th, 2024

As a huge fan of both Didion and Babitz, this book was made for me. Although this is nonfiction, this book read like a fictional story, with enough twists and turns to keep me engaged. I knew a lot about both of these women before reading this book, but I feel like I know them both so much more intimately now. This is an incredible work, and Lili Anolik's storytelling is unmatched.

I was turned on to this book because of Anolik's prior book about Babitz (who I knew nothing of prior to reading that other book). This book--inspired by letters never sent and only recently found--focuses on Babitz and her relationship to Joan Didion. The book focuses more on Babitz than Didion, but the basics of Didion's literary career and personal life are covered. It acts as a sort of biography of Babitz but less so with respect to Didion. It details certain times of Babitz's life where Didion played an integral part, either as a foil, editor or colleague but given the author's access to Babitz and lack of access to Didion, it makes sense that the relationship is viewed through the eyes of Babitz primarily.

Honestly, I don’t know why this book needed to be written. I’m a fan of Ms. Anolik, but the ground was largely covered with her prior book on Babitz.

I was really disappointed with this book. As someone who enjoyed her biography on Eve, I assumed this would be equally enlightening and maybe help me like Joan Didion. The writing was way too casual for me, and the book was way more interested in Eve. It seemed like Joan was just in the title to sell the book.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy. This was my most anticipated book of the year. I am a huge fan of Babitz and Didion. I first became aware of their relationship from an article written by the author of this book Lili Anolik. I liked the book a lot! I enjoy Anolik’s writing. I feel like there’s more out there on the subject to be explored but for fans of Babitz and Didion this one is definitely an interesting read.

Didion & Babitz carries the brutal honesty of a tell-all takedown, while still lovingly painting a portrait of both people examined within the pages.

Though the author, Lili, warns the reader in the beginning to “not be a baby”, when it comes to forthcoming information about the eternally revered Joan Didion, I’ll admit I still found myself initially defensive—at least, until I gave in. Then my mouth simply hung open, until the final page.

Salacious, revealing and factual, in an off-the-record kind of way: this is not for a casual fan of either writer. In order to “get it”, you must have read at least a handful of their work.

You won’t leave this novel any less in love with either Didion or Babitz. In fact, if this book gave me anything, it was a reassurance that both writers have a permanent fixture of admiration in my life. As I’m sure it’ll be the case for you, too.

many thanks to simon & schuster and netgalley for this arc of what is this years most anticipated book in my friend group. to me, the two have always been linked in my mind when thinking of the full picture of 1960s and 70s los angeles. i had always wondered what their relationship was and lili anolik answered all my questions and more. ultimately, didion & babitz together represent modern american women writers. the book is filled with quotes from individuals such as griffin dunne, paul ruscha, etc. that bring new perspectives of eve and joan to light. i would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of either eve or joan’s work. (if you like didion, you probably like babitz and vice versa)