Lili Anolik explores bond between Joan Didion and Eve Babitz in new biography

Lili Anolik's new biography, "Didion & Babitz," explores the complex relationship between literary icons Joan Didion and Eve Babitz. Anolik argues they were not just rivals but soul mates, revealing deeper insights into their intertwined lives and careers. The book was inspired by a box of letters from Babitz, which changed Anolik's understanding of her. It highlights the contrasting personalities of Didion, a polished observer, and Babitz, a free-spirited participant in the Los Angeles scene, showcasing their mutual influence and rivalry. Anolik addresses Didion's desire for narrative control and the impact of her personal life on her work. The biography respects the privacy of Didion's family while examining the legacies of both women, who died just days apart in 2021.