reverie_and_books's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

»Early in life I discovered that the way to approach anything was to be introduced by the right person.«

Eve Babitz is like a cool cousin connecting people, having fun, having her way and having her men (and sometimes women). She is sex-positive, unconventional and she is someone to support other women. This collection from 1974 is a wonderful read: hot Santa Ana Winds, the very rare rain, social remarks on Hollywood and its surrounding areas. And parties.

»I was dancing, dancing through the crowded room and absolutely unable to stop smiling. Women who dance with their eyes closed, smiling, are as near to heaven as you can get on earth, and there I was, in heaven, only in Bakersfield.«

She is witty, funny, dismissing many conventions and living in the moment. 

»I had a collection of lovers to keep me warm and my friendships with women, who always fascinated me by their wit, bravery, and resourcefulness, and who never told you the same story twice.«

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itsybitsygingie's review against another edition

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funny reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book was so incredibly well written and was a great insight into the struggles of fame, but I think my total disinterest in film culture made this a tough read. I didn't understand a lot of the references made (had to ask my dad about them since he grew up in LA during the time period the book is set in). Made it hard to stay immersed and interested. 

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saarahrust's review against another edition

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

3.0


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sestout's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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dearbhlanoonan's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

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jkull_10's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

4.5


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clare072's review

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funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75


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booksofautumn's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


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mariakrystyna's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0



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karolinak's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.25

I'm confused about my experience with this book. I was convinced I would love this, it seems right up my alley, but I was just so bored most of the time. The last of the stories pulled this up from 3 to a 3.25. 
I'm fascinated with Eve Babitz, her character is very intriguing. She writes well and the book was full of memorable quotes. She's funny, she's sharp, and her outlook on life, relationships, and people is interesting while alien to me. Nonetheless, I was bored. I think it might be due to the book's setting in LA and surrounding areas which play a big part in this book. I have never been to LA or even USA, I think I just couldn't relate to or place myself in these settings. It was like joining a lecture midway through and struggling to keep up with the basic concepts. Why do we hate Palm Springs, why do we love this particular area or weather pattern and why does it all colour the story or influence a situation in a certain way? I don't know so I'm left on the outside wondering. I truly think had this been written by a socialite as fascinating as Babitz from and about an area I know and love, say London which people also love to hate, I would have eaten it up inside jokes and all. 

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