jpray's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
2001astaceodyssey's review against another edition
4.0
I have been a fan of Ms. Block’s for years since many moons ago when The Rose and the Beast was recommended to me and I fell in love. I read as much as I could get my hands on and in time have read the vast majority of her books, but it’s been years since I’ve really even looked at any of her classic stuff and thought it would be fun to re-visit an old favorite. I found that I am still very much enchanted by the author’s beautiful use of language and lush descriptions that paint crazy vivid pictures in your head, even though the story line didn’t hold my attention as much this time around. Block always writes with an effortless understanding of what it’s like to be a square peg and an embracing of that different shape and the beauty in it.
Also, just for good measure, one of my favorite quotes: “This was not a faerie tale. This was not the movies. This was life. It hurt more. It was excruciating. It was excruciatingly beautiful.”
Also, just for good measure, one of my favorite quotes: “This was not a faerie tale. This was not the movies. This was life. It hurt more. It was excruciating. It was excruciatingly beautiful.”
cadii's review against another edition
2.0
I don't really know what to say about this book... It's not a book I would usually go for if I found it at the library, but now I read it for this book club type of deals and yeah it's ok. I think it has a lot of topics for discussion and I think it's a good youth book. But I didn't fall in love with it at all.
samanthaparadiseart's review against another edition
5.0
Such a great book. I loved their relationship.
nikolita's review against another edition
3.0
I really did like this book, but I ultimately decided on three stars because I believe that I've, perhaps, been spoiled by Block's Echo and The Hanged Man. Nevertheless, for any Block fan I'd recommend this book and I'd also recommend it to young teenagers; the content isn't quite as dark as the aforementioned novels, but it's still a good, quick [in my case] read and I enjoyed the structure of the book: Violet, Claire, and then Violent and Claire as the third and final "act", if you will, to conclude the story. As usual, wonderful yet concise prose, and great imagery without the book being muddled.
dreamofbookspines's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of those books that classic from my teenage years, and made huge impressions on my poetry/fashion choices. I love the language of this book - it's quintessential FLB. As a 30 year old woman now, I find some of the books less charming than I initially did when I read it around 15, it's still a really beautiful book.
inthelunaseas's review against another edition
4.0
This book is like a dream.
There's a very mystical quality when reading it. The scenes meld into one another, which can be quite disjointing when reading it initially. Pages need to be re-read and at points, nothing is quite clear. The book is very short, however, (easily read in under an hour), and so it isn't quite difficult.
The love between Violet and Claire transcends sexuality, and Violet never makes any attempt to clarify their relationship. Claire relies more on Violet, that much is true, but in many ways, she opens Violet up and makes her recognise her innocence, her youth, her vulnerability. In many ways, Violet makes Claire stronger, but Claire doesn't quite reach it.
The Hollywood side to it baffled me a little, admittedly, and it didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the novel. I think it would have been easier if Violet had fallen in with a bad crowd (such as at the club she visits) than going straight to Hollywood.
There's a very mystical quality when reading it. The scenes meld into one another, which can be quite disjointing when reading it initially. Pages need to be re-read and at points, nothing is quite clear. The book is very short, however, (easily read in under an hour), and so it isn't quite difficult.
The love between Violet and Claire transcends sexuality, and Violet never makes any attempt to clarify their relationship. Claire relies more on Violet, that much is true, but in many ways, she opens Violet up and makes her recognise her innocence, her youth, her vulnerability. In many ways, Violet makes Claire stronger, but Claire doesn't quite reach it.
The Hollywood side to it baffled me a little, admittedly, and it didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the novel. I think it would have been easier if Violet had fallen in with a bad crowd (such as at the club she visits) than going straight to Hollywood.
gabbyhm's review
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
jessijade's review against another edition
3.0
I read this one a few years ago when I was on a Francesca Lia Block kick, but really, I think I should have read it back in high school. I might have enjoyed it more then.
As it was, the first half of the book seemed kind of surface level. I was more of a fan of the last half. It seemed to get to the heart of things and blur the lines of reality in that typical style that I've come to love from this author.
As it was, the first half of the book seemed kind of surface level. I was more of a fan of the last half. It seemed to get to the heart of things and blur the lines of reality in that typical style that I've come to love from this author.