hollowpurp's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Addiction
pagesofpins's review
1.0
This was required reading for me, and I often enjoy whimsical writing and fairy tales, but this one didn't do much for me. There's very little detail about what the characters are thinking or who they are outside the context of their role in the story.
Weetzie hangs out with Dirk avoiding the lame high school kids who don't understand them, and when she finds a genie in a bottle she wishes for a boyfriend for herself, one for Dirk, and a place to live. She gets all three, but when her boyfriend doesn't want to have a baby with her, she resorts to some unusual means to get one.
I also thought that Weetzie didn't reflect on or learn from any of the things that happened to her or the choices she made. The characters go through very little, if any, character development, and when they make questionable decisions or life throws hurdles at them, a magic solution appears out of this air or the problem goes away. No one has to do or learn anything. Would Weetzie make the same manipulative choices if she and her boyfriend disagreed on something other than child rearing? Nothing tells me she wouldn't. I usually like stories that have a fairy-tale quality, magical realism and themes of love and a makeshift family, but this one was not for me. The message of this book, love your friends and everything will turn out exactly how you want, seems guaranteed to disappoint.
Book Quote: "Love is a dangerous angel."
Weetzie hangs out with Dirk avoiding the lame high school kids who don't understand them, and when she finds a genie in a bottle she wishes for a boyfriend for herself, one for Dirk, and a place to live. She gets all three, but when her boyfriend doesn't want to have a baby with her, she resorts to some unusual means to get one.
I also thought that Weetzie didn't reflect on or learn from any of the things that happened to her or the choices she made. The characters go through very little, if any, character development, and when they make questionable decisions or life throws hurdles at them, a magic solution appears out of this air or the problem goes away. No one has to do or learn anything. Would Weetzie make the same manipulative choices if she and her boyfriend disagreed on something other than child rearing? Nothing tells me she wouldn't. I usually like stories that have a fairy-tale quality, magical realism and themes of love and a makeshift family, but this one was not for me. The message of this book, love your friends and everything will turn out exactly how you want, seems guaranteed to disappoint.
Book Quote: "Love is a dangerous angel."
sandraagee's review
3.0
This is a beautiful book. Very straightforward and minimalist, but poetic in its beauty. But it's weird. Very weird. Everyone has wacko names and Weetzie's sudden maternal yearnings and the way she goes about getting her baby are slightly disturbing. I have absolutely no idea who I would ever recomend this book to, and it probably isn't for everyone.
But the book is beautiful. If you can get past Weetzie's sometimes questionable choices, there are some great ideas about the nature of beauty and love to be found. I personally did not see this message until I had the chance to put the book down, step away for awhile, and then look back on it. I would say that readers sould approach this book with an open mind.
But the book is beautiful. If you can get past Weetzie's sometimes questionable choices, there are some great ideas about the nature of beauty and love to be found. I personally did not see this message until I had the chance to put the book down, step away for awhile, and then look back on it. I would say that readers sould approach this book with an open mind.
pocketfullofjoy's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
annakim's review
3.0
This urban fairy tale is a light, frothy, whirlwind tale of love and acceptance in an idealistically beautiful world.
caedocyon's review
4.0
Adorable. Not much like I expected (although I don't know what I expected), but very cute and fun and emotional, and a quick read to boot. I can see it's one of those books you can keep coming back to and find new things in.
I was unable to prevent myself from casting Mel as Weetzie. Heh.
I was unable to prevent myself from casting Mel as Weetzie. Heh.
leesamudio's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25