Totally Booked with Zibby Lili Anolik, DIDION & BABITZ
Nov 12, 2025
Lili Anolik, an accomplished author and journalist, dives into the lives of literary giants Joan Didion and Eve Babitz. She recounts her journey to discover Babitz, revealing the struggles of their late lives and the surge of posthumous fame. Lili discusses how unearthed letters reshaped her narrative, connecting Didion's early influences with Babitz's hidden writings. She shares insights into Joan’s literary ascent and her immersive approach to biography. With exciting new projects on the horizon, Lili offers a glimpse into her own life, balancing personal passions and professional pursuits.
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How A Phone Book Led To A Biography
- Lili Anolik discovered Eve Babitz after finding a quote that knocked her out and then hunted her down in real life.
- She tracked Eve via a 2010 phone book, delivered letters, and eventually secured an interview that launched years of reporting.
Meeting Revealed Eve's Hidden Illness
- When Anolik first met Eve Babitz, she realized something was neurologically wrong and later learned Eve had Huntington's disease.
- Eve's late-life squalor and illness reframed their interactions and the book's portrayal of her decline.
The Paradox Of Late Fame
- Late fame can be both gratifying and cruel when a subject is already diminished by illness.
- Anolik shows that rescue narratives can obscure the reality of decline and mixed emotions about belated recognition.
