Black Swans: Stories

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1993. First Edition. Hardcover. Fine/Very good. Nine stories set in Hollywood.

"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.'". First edition (stated). A fine copy in a very good dust jacket with a bit of creasing along the top edge, mild spine fading, and some tanning to the verso (back side). This copy is inscribed twice by Babitz around a rubber stamped version of her booksigning stock phrase, "Without you I would be nothing." The recipient of this copy was planning to leave Hollywood, and this may have been a presentation copy, as Babitz inscribed it twice in the week of publication, two days apart, in three colors of ink. "9/9/93 Dearest Sherry [Without you I would be nothing] Love Eve Babitz ♥ XOXO ♥" and again, "9/11/93 Dear Sherry May you return to Hollywood FOREVER or at least as long as it's here & pretty. Love Eve ♥ P.S. I will miss you tragically PLEASE come Back!"

Babitz's inscriptions tend to feign intimacy or perhaps everyone was her best friend at the book signing table, but even by her often exuberant standards, this is a top-notch inscription.