A Babitz Hollywood Connection
Black Swans: Stories
Publication: New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1993. First Edition.
Notes: Nine stories set in Hollywood, inscribed to the actor Howard Hesseman and his wife Caroline.
"Babitz is an acquired taste: her slewing style, bad–girl postures, and sad–funny takes on hedonism can be deliciously shocking... Here, though, as the narrator of these nine story/essays approaches middle–age—after all the drugs, booze, groupie sex, and wild passionate flings—the sense of brakes applied turns Babitz's voice sage as well as outrageous...and her wisecracking, ain't–it–the–truth–honey voice is just about perfect in illuminating the fact... Babitz's best book yet." —Kirkus Reviews
Shortly after her death in 2021, the Huntington Library acquired her papers. According to Babitz's sister, “When I told Eve that The Huntington was very interested in her archive, she said, ‘I would love to be with Blue Boy and Pinkie again, like when we were kids. It’s as classy as the Beverly Hills Hotel so I know I’ll be happy there.’”
Edition + Condition: First edition (stated). A fine copy in a near fine dust jacket. This copy is inscribed, "Dearest Howard & Caroline, Happy book! Love, Eve Babitz xoxo." With Hesseman's library blindstamp on the first blank. The back (verso) of the jacket is tanned.
Howard is probably best-known for his role on the sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati. According to IMDB, Babitz worked as an assistant to the producer of Head of the Class, another show Hesseman starred in. A pleasing association copy.
ISBN: 0679405186
Item No: #366064
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