Reviews with content warning for Eating disorder - Sex and Rage

Reviews tagging 'Eating disorder'

Sex and Rage by Eve Babitz

2 reviews

flara's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Eve Babitz was a beautiful writer.

I had a look at what others had to say about this book and while there are criticisms that I (at least partially) agree with, I found her style of writing authentically raw and yet quite sophisticated. Here's a quote that I enjoyed:

'... and the next thing he knew she'd pulled at his heartstrings and she knew he had heartstrings, so he must have a heart'

I'm not sure how to describe following, I hope it makes sense. Each chapter/vignette takes you to a new scene, just like in a film, which I really enjoyed. It felt as if I was reading a very lively film script. I could imagine each scene and I very much enjoyed those transitions. And perhaps I was the only one who perceived each individual chapter as a new scene in a film.

Spoiler

Jacaranda, the main protagonist (or antagonist), is by all means a horrible person. Many reviewers criticised her character, and by extension Babitz herself for being a nepo baby. And while that is all true, the point of the book is something entirely different. Also, I reckon that Kednalls, Kylies, Brooklyns and whatnots can actually write, or have something worthwhile to contribute (as evidenced by their books).
I would be absolutely frustrated with real-life Jacaranda if I ever met her. And I would probably be equally jealous as I would be terrified of her. She's impossible: she is described as a beautiful girl, who has seemingly abundance of talent and charm; things come easy to her, in fact she's not even trying to achieve anything and yet she gets there anyway. At the beginning, she is this shiny thing, and we learn of Max and other characters, all of which emit this aura of perfection. They are cool, they are it. To be in their vicinity is to feel euphoric, to be alive. But when you get too close to the sun, you burn badly. Jacaranda is a shell of a human being half-way through the book. She treats people poorly (especially in romantic relationships) and has some horrible character traits. She describes herself as fat; she lists the ugly effects that alcohol addiction has on her body. She could be romanticised at the beginning (surfer girl from California who enjoys reading Proust, ehm), but certainly not by the end. This is a story of self-destruction, toxic friendship, and possibly self-actualisation. You start off living vicariously through her rock'n'roll exploits, but eventually you see how self-destructive those behaviours are. I was rooting for Jacaranda to get her shit together. I was in suspense the whole time she was in New York, hoping she would not drink. I was furious when she ran into Max, and went in anyway. I was even more furious when Wini got under Etienne's spell. Wini, who until then was Jacaranda's voice of reason.

I can understand how the title might be disappointing, a bit of an attention-grab. There is really not much sex or rage going on, not realistically. I think it was mentioned twice: firstly, when Jacaranda first went to Max's; and then towards the end. In my understanding, the 'sex and rage' is more of a mood, or energy, that is present at those parties. To me, it was the equivalent of 'feeling alive'.

I loved this book. It reminded me of what I used to think 'being alive' means. It reminded me of what I used to idolise, old behaviours (mine and others). Perhaps I can appreciate it now because I am through it.

I've been trying to get my hands on Babitz for the longest time. When I finally came across The Canons copy in a bookshop, I didn't hesitate and bought it then and there. Now I say this as someone who usually buys the cheapest version of whatever book, because I genuinely don't care much about covers, but ... I just despise THIS cover. This cover.. it just bothers me. I don't know where they got the idea from, but it's awful. Clearly the publishers/graphic designer/whoever was in charge didn't actually read this book, just the title. Why this obnoxious shade of pink?? and palm leaf??? Right, because it's a girl's book set in California. It just looks CHEAP. Throughout the book, Jacaranda references the colour blue. Blue skies, blue of the ocean, blue eyes. Again and again. Why not simply make the cover blue? I was low-key ashamed to show the front cover when reading in public.

I said all I wanted to say about Sex & Rage. Not sure if this even was a review, but here we are.

Content Warnings

reginahafner_'s review

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

eve babitz is my rich aunt

Content Warnings

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