By Babitz Eve
Babitz Eve, 2017
Sex and Rage, originally published in 1979, follows Jacaranda, a young woman navigating life between Los Angeles and New York City. Initially a sun-kissed beach bum in Los Angeles, Jacaranda paints surfboards and drifts through the city's social scene, enjoying a carefree existence filled with White Ladies and tycoons. However, feeling a lack of purpose, she moves to New York City at twenty-eight to pursue a new career and make her mark. The novel explores themes of self-discovery, the pursuit of fulfillment, and the challenges of finding one's place in the world. Babitz's writing captures the sensuous and dreamlike quality of Jacaranda's experiences, highlighting the spontaneity of life and the impact of chance encounters. As Jacaranda evolves, she moves beyond the superficiality of sex and rage, embracing a more meaningful and expressive existence, solidifying Eve Babitz's reputation as a unique voice in Los Angeles literature.