Kara NasvigThe Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles was the setting for a star-studded tribute to the late writer Eve Babitz on Tuesday evening. The occasion? The launch of Lili Anolik’s new book, Didion and Babitz, which delves into the complex relationship between Babitz and fellow California literary icon Joan Didion.
Actresses Emma Roberts, Elizabeth Olsen, Nicole Richie, Beverly D’Angelo, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph joined the celebration by reading previously unpublished letters Babitz wrote to Didion and others. These letters, sourced by Anolik, offer intimate glimpses into Babitz’s thoughts and her literary world.
A Literary Gathering
Hosted in collaboration with Belletrist, the book club founded by Emma Roberts and Karah Preiss, the event drew an eclectic crowd. Among those in attendance were Babitz’s sister Mirandi, writer Dustin Lance Black, social media personality Tinx, and actress Gillian Jacobs. Guests enjoyed cocktails while soaking in Babitz’s witty and candid prose.
Anolik, whose prior works include Hollywood’s Eve: Eve Babitz and the Secret History of L.A., revealed how she unearthed Babitz’s letters from a sealed box in Mirandi’s closet. A 1972 unsent letter from Babitz to Didion became the inspiration for her latest book.
Didion and Babitz: A Tale of Friendship and Rivalry
The book paints a vivid portrait of Babitz and Didion’s dynamic relationship. While both writers captured the spirit of California in their works, they were as much rivals as they were friends, influencing each other and shaping cultural narratives through their distinct voices.
The evening concluded with a nostalgic performance by singer Lily Kershaw, who delivered a heartfelt rendition of The Mamas & the Papas’ California Dreamin’, a fitting nod to Babitz’s L.A. roots and her lasting influence.
Anolik’s Didion and Babitz not only cements Babitz’s legacy but also provides a window into the literary interplay that helped define an era.
