First, the good news.  With confidence and unparalleled ardor, Didion & Babitz is the worst, disappointing book I read in 2024. Clearly, Lili Anolik decided to hate Joan Didion and created a narrative that Joan was better or worse or less real or not really an artist (all of these were touched on and often stated throughout).  Anolik’s blind love of and commitment to Eve Babitz is concerning, and to further the Joan against Eve maxim is ridiculous.  I do not believe either woman felt she was in competition with the other, and I would very much like to see the source material to make my own determination and draw a more balanced argument. 

Based on this book I feel like I need a “Team Joan,” T-shirt because we, the reader clearly have to choose sides..

Now the bad news, I knew nothing to very little about Eve Babitz, and for now, given this train wreck I don’t know that I will spend time getting to know more about her work.  Wait, actually, this may be the perfect time to read everything so I can really learn more about both artists.