Book description
Could you write what you write if you weren't so tiny, Joan? --Eve Babitz, in a letter to Joan Didion, 1972 Joan Didion, revealed at last... Eve Babitz died on December 17, 2021. Found in the wrack, ruin, and filth of her apartment, a stack of boxes packed by her mother decades before. The boxes were pristine, the seals of duct tape unbroken. Inside, a lost world. This world turned for a certain number of years in the late sixties and early seventies, and centered on a two-story rental in a down-at-heel section of Hollywood. 7406 Franklin Avenue, a combination salon-hotbed-living end where writers and artists mixed with movie stars, rock 'n' rollers, and drug trash. 7406 Franklin Avenue was the making of one great American writer: Joan Didion, a mystery behind her dark glasses and cool expression; an enigma inside her storied marriage to John Gregory Dunne, their union as tortured as it was enduring. 7406 Franklin Avenue was the breaking and then the remaking--and thus the true making--of another great American writer: Eve Babitz, goddaughter of Igor Stravinsky, nude of Marcel Duchamp, consort of Jim Morrison (among many, many others), a woman who burned so hot she finally almost burned herself alive. Didion and Babitz formed a complicated alliance, a friendship that went bad, amity turning to enmity. Didion, in spite of her confessional style, is so little known or understood. She's remained opaque, elusive. Until now. With deftness and skill, journalist Lili Anolik uses Babitz, Babitz's brilliance of observation, Babitz's incisive intelligence, and, most of all, Babitz's diary-like letters--letters found in those sealed boxes, letters so intimate you don't read them so much as breathe them--as the key to unlocking Didion.Review"Anolik brings her journalistic instincts and her deep passion for Didion and Babitz to create a vivid, engrossing work." -Vogue "Anolik unearths a complicated, contentious-and scandalously overlooked-alliance between these two glamorous behemoths of Californian literature. . . . What results is a love letter in the form of this detailed biography that reads like a propulsive novel. You'll be reaching for Didion's and Babitz's books to search for evidence of the messy truths revealed on these pages." -Oprah Daily "[Anolik's] double biography is an account of a dispute between highly creative frenemies where the wounds festered for years and no one ever worked it out on the remix." -New York Magazine, Most Anticipated Books of Fall 2024SynopsisNATIONAL BESTSELLER Named a Best Book of the Year by Time, Vogue, the Washington Post, Telegraph, and more Joan Didion is revealed at last in this outrageously provocative and profoundly moving new work "that reads like a propulsive novel" (Oprah Daily) on the mutual attractions--and mutual antagonisms--of Didion and her fellow literary titan, Eve Babitz. Could you write what you write if you weren't so tiny, Joan? --Eve Babitz, in a letter to Joan Didion, 1972 Joan Didion, revealed at last... Eve Babitz died on December 17, 2021. Found in the wrack, ruin, and filth of her apartment, a stack of boxes packed by her mother decades before. The boxes were pristine, the seals of duct tape unbroken. Inside, a lost world. This world turned for a certain number of years in the late sixties and early seventies, and centered on a two-story rental in a down-at-heel section of Hollywood. 7406 Franklin Avenue, a combination salon-hotbed-living end where writers and artists mixed with movie stars, rock 'n' rollers, and drug trash. 7406 Franklin Avenue was the making of one great American writer: Joan Didion, a mystery behind her dark glasses and cool expression; an enigma inside her storied marriage to John Gregory Dunne, their union as tortured as it was enduring. 7406 Franklin Avenue was the breaking and then the remaking--and thus the true making--of another great American writer: Eve Babitz, goddaughter of Igor Stravinsky, nude of Marcel Duchamp, consort of Jim Morrison (among many, many others), a woman who burned so hot she finally almost burned herself alive. Didion and Babitz formed a complicated alliance, a friendship that went bad, amity turning to enmity. Didion, in spite of her confessional style, is so little known or understood. She's remained opaque, elusive. Until now. With deftness and skill, journalist Lili Anolik uses Babitz, Babitz's brilliance of observation, Babitz's incisive intelligence, and, most of all, Babitz's diary-like letters--letters found in those sealed boxes, letters so intimate you don't read them so much as breathe them--as the key to unlocking Didion.SynopsisNATIONAL BESTSELLER Named a Best Book of the Year by Time, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar, The Washington Post, and more Joan Didion is revealed at last in this "vivid, engrossing" (Vogue), and outrageously provocative dual biography "that reads like a propulsive novel" (Oprah Daily) revealing the mutual attractions--and antagonisms--of Didion and her fellow literary titan, Eve Babitz. Could you write what you write if you weren't so tiny, Joan? --Eve Babitz, in a letter to Joan Didion, 1972 Eve Babitz died on December 17, 2021. Found in the wrack, ruin, and filth of her apartment, a stack of boxes packed by her mother decades before. The boxes were pristine, the seals of duct tape unbroken. Inside, a lost world. This world turned for a certain number of years in the late sixties and early seventies and centered on a two-story rental in a down-at-heel section of Hollywood. 7406 Franklin Avenue, a combination salon-hotbed-living end where writers and artists mixed with movie stars, rock 'n' rollers, and drug trash. 7406 Franklin Avenue was the making of one great American writer: Joan Didion, a mystery behind her dark glasses and cool expression; an enigma inside her storied marriage to John Gregory Dunne, their union as tortured as it was enduring. 7406 Franklin Avenue was the breaking and then the remaking--and thus the true making--of another great American writer: Eve Babitz, goddaughter of Igor Stravinsky, nude of Marcel Duchamp, consort of Jim Morrison (among many, many others), a woman who burned so hot she finally almost burned herself alive. Didion and Babitz formed a complicated alliance, a friendship that went bad, amity turning to enmity. Didion, in spite of her confessional style, is so little known or understood. She's remained opaque, elusive. Until now. With deftness and skill, journalist Lili Anolik uses Babitz, Babitz's brilliance of observation, Babitz's incisive intelligence, and, most of all, Babitz's diary-like letters--letters found in those sealed boxes, letters so intimate you don't read them so much as breathe them--as the key to unlocking Didion. And "what the book makes clear is that Didion and Babitz were more alike than either would have liked to admit" (Time).About the AuthorLili Anolik is a contributing editor at Vanity Fair and a writer at large for Air Mail. Her last book, the L.A. Times bestseller Hollywood's Eve, was also published by Scribner. Her last podcast, Once Upon a Time... at Bennington College, was produced by Cadence13. In 2024, she was a finalist for the National Magazine Award for profile writing. She lives in New York City with her husband and two sons.
ZenaCake
I used to struggle to find time for books – now, I listen while doing chores! ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again – it's a must-have. ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it. Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking.
Wildcat Talent
The sound quality is outstanding – it's like having a movie theater in my ears! I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is a true delight. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
MrOnsTr
ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true – from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning.
Glyph
🎧 Making housework more enjoyable – audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. 🧹📚 The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Die Slice
This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. 🔥 Audiobook enjoyment at the tap of a finger – this app's functionality is a testament to modern convenience. 📱📖 Enhancing my daily routines – this app's design makes listening a joy. Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. 📱🎧 ListenBook's interface is so intuitive. I was up and running in no time.
Slow Trot
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience. Love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Paris Boost
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Gamer Bean
Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldn’t stop listening.
S’more Vixen
ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful. This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Nueva Nova
ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. 🎶 Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls – this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. 🎵📖 ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent audiobook experience is evident in its smooth and silky playback.
Flame OUT
I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. Unlocking a world of literary wonders – this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. 📱🔊 The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Tomcat
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. With ListenBook, I've found a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with audiobooks and educational content. The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever.
Friday Fox
ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Woodland Beauty
🚗 Transforming long drives into memorable journeys through the magic of audiobooks! 🚗📚 ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
ThermalMode
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices.
Swedish Pixie
Simplifying audiobook management – this app's functionality is a true asset. I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends.
CyberScribe
ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true – from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use.
Emerald Goddess
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience.
Wolf Tribune
This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. 🏡 Making house chores more enjoyable – audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. 🏠📚 📱 My secret to staying well-read – this app ensures that I'm never without a book, no matter where I am! 📚📱
Whip 2T
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. 🏡 Making house chores more enjoyable – audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. 🏠📚 🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters has never been smoother – the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. 🏃♂️🎧 ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience