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Roses and Bones: Myths, Tales, and Secrets
What happens when a girl finds herself at the crossroads between worlds—where the angels and ghosts, gods and demons, and beauties and beasts of myth are real? What does she do and who does she become?
Roses and Bones captures the best Francesca Lia Block has to offer: extravagantly imaginative tales, dark landscapes, fierce poetry, and storytelling that is nothing short of magical.
Roses and Bones captures the best Francesca Lia Block has to offer: extravagantly imaginative tales, dark landscapes, fierce poetry, and storytelling that is nothing short of magical.
378 pages, Paperback
First published December 21, 2010
15 people are currently reading
1,175 people want to read
About the author
Francesca Lia Block
100Ìýbooks3,349ÌýfollowersFrancesca Lia Block is the author of more than twenty-five books of fiction, non-fiction, short stories and poetry. She received the Spectrum Award, the Phoenix Award, the ALA Rainbow Award and the 2005 Margaret A. Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as other citations from the American Library Association and from the New York Times Book Review, School Library Journal and Publisher’s Weekly. She was named Writer-in-Residence at Pasadena City College in 2014. Her work has been translated into Italian, French, German Japanese, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish and Portuguese. Francesca has also published stories, poems, essays and interviews in The Los Angeles Times, The L.A. Review of Books, Spin, Nylon, Black Clock and Rattle among others. In addition to writing, she teaches creative writing at University of Redlands, UCLA Extension, Antioch University, and privately in Los Angeles where she was born, raised and currently still lives.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
December 22, 2010
Containing , , and -- all standalone works, more like novellas or long poems than actual novels, by -- this omnibus is a good way for readers to get a feel for Block and her style of storytelling. I myself had only read a short story from Block prior to this (in the anthology ), and I didn't feel it was a true reprentation of what she could accomplish with her writing. Sad to say, however, I was very underwhelmed by what I found within this book.
The prose was pretty yet melodramatic at times -- but even pretty prose could not make up for what these stories lacked in believability, characterization, and messages. They felt very shallow, however dream-like they were. Also, Block took reckless abandon with her myth and fairy tale reworking. For instance, in "Psyche in a Dress," did I really need a 'Cupid and Psyche' retelling where Psyche actually manages to take the roles of Eurydice, Persephone, AND Demeter as well? All it seemed like was an excuse for Psyche to get it on with Cupid/Eros, Orpheus, and Hades at different times. I'm sorry, but -- as much as I didn't like Psyche for her 'Mary Sue'-ness in the original myth -- this Psyche was much worse, taking 'Mary Sue'-ism to the max. (The ending was the only thing that particularly moved me with this poem-like tale.)
With the second story/novel, "Echo," I also really noticed how Block's writing tends to get convoluted with nonsense and "fateful meetings" that end up leading nowhere (until sometimes the very end). Now, I understand that Block is likely trying to get the message across that true love, if it exists, doesn't always stay or doesn't always come soon. I also understand that she tries to illustrate how our lives shape who we are as people and our interactions with others reenforce or inhibit our growth. I get that. BUT Block gets so lost in her whimsical, practically carefree world where drugs, sex, and parties seem to be staples and loses the messages of her stories until the very end. It's pretty bad that the message of the stories don't hit me until the end -- and, by then, I just don't care. I need to feel it throughout the story.
Also, I don't think I've ever read works from an author that, when she mentions sex or sexual acts in a roundabout or subtle way, still manages to make me cringe and feel dirty for reading it. None of the 'love' in these stories felt like love to me -- just lust and desperation. And are all of Block's heroines so promiscuous? It's rather annoying since, while I get the feminist idea of, "Hey, women shouldn't be afraid to be sexual! Most men aren't!", I don't need to have it thrown in my face how many times these heroines sleep around just because they're lacking in some areas of their lives (whether it be through identity, affection, or anything). That just makes women seem weak more than anything else. Wouldn't these heroines actually be stronger if they didn't resort to such base measures to feel wanted, loved, and/or needed?
The third set of stories, all fairy tale retellings of sorts, actually warmed me up to Block a bit more. The Rose and the Beast illustrated more to me how I wanted Block's writing and storytelling to be for me. I just wish her tales could be more consistent, a little lyrical and heartbreaking and bittersweet, just like these fairy tales she wrote were.
All in all -- I'm not sorry I read this book, but I did expect much more from it. While I give Francesca Lia Block four stars for her prose, I have to give two stars to her overall execution. That leaves me to say that this was a three star read for me. Still, I find myself interested in what else Block can offer, so I'll likely try out a few more books of hers before I give up on her. The eternal optimist, that's me.
The prose was pretty yet melodramatic at times -- but even pretty prose could not make up for what these stories lacked in believability, characterization, and messages. They felt very shallow, however dream-like they were. Also, Block took reckless abandon with her myth and fairy tale reworking. For instance, in "Psyche in a Dress," did I really need a 'Cupid and Psyche' retelling where Psyche actually manages to take the roles of Eurydice, Persephone, AND Demeter as well? All it seemed like was an excuse for Psyche to get it on with Cupid/Eros, Orpheus, and Hades at different times. I'm sorry, but -- as much as I didn't like Psyche for her 'Mary Sue'-ness in the original myth -- this Psyche was much worse, taking 'Mary Sue'-ism to the max. (The ending was the only thing that particularly moved me with this poem-like tale.)
With the second story/novel, "Echo," I also really noticed how Block's writing tends to get convoluted with nonsense and "fateful meetings" that end up leading nowhere (until sometimes the very end). Now, I understand that Block is likely trying to get the message across that true love, if it exists, doesn't always stay or doesn't always come soon. I also understand that she tries to illustrate how our lives shape who we are as people and our interactions with others reenforce or inhibit our growth. I get that. BUT Block gets so lost in her whimsical, practically carefree world where drugs, sex, and parties seem to be staples and loses the messages of her stories until the very end. It's pretty bad that the message of the stories don't hit me until the end -- and, by then, I just don't care. I need to feel it throughout the story.
Also, I don't think I've ever read works from an author that, when she mentions sex or sexual acts in a roundabout or subtle way, still manages to make me cringe and feel dirty for reading it. None of the 'love' in these stories felt like love to me -- just lust and desperation. And are all of Block's heroines so promiscuous? It's rather annoying since, while I get the feminist idea of, "Hey, women shouldn't be afraid to be sexual! Most men aren't!", I don't need to have it thrown in my face how many times these heroines sleep around just because they're lacking in some areas of their lives (whether it be through identity, affection, or anything). That just makes women seem weak more than anything else. Wouldn't these heroines actually be stronger if they didn't resort to such base measures to feel wanted, loved, and/or needed?
The third set of stories, all fairy tale retellings of sorts, actually warmed me up to Block a bit more. The Rose and the Beast illustrated more to me how I wanted Block's writing and storytelling to be for me. I just wish her tales could be more consistent, a little lyrical and heartbreaking and bittersweet, just like these fairy tales she wrote were.
All in all -- I'm not sorry I read this book, but I did expect much more from it. While I give Francesca Lia Block four stars for her prose, I have to give two stars to her overall execution. That leaves me to say that this was a three star read for me. Still, I find myself interested in what else Block can offer, so I'll likely try out a few more books of hers before I give up on her. The eternal optimist, that's me.
January 19, 2012
Okay, Roses and Bones is a book with three different stories contained. The three tales are the following: "Psyche in a Dress", "Echo" and "The Rose And The Beast".
Among all three, the first story is my favorite. I find it unique and written well. I enjoyed reading the story. It was really interesting and the way Block wrote was simply amazing. To sum it all up, Psyche in a dress is a free-verse poem with bits of narrative tales about its characters. Combined with a modern twist, "Psyche in a Dress" is simply alluring and won't get hold of you no matter how short this work is. (3/5)
Echo would be my least favorite. Block's characters are messy. Her writing here is messy. Everything is messy, except Echo's "emotional" personality. Block describes Echo as a girl who tries to find love the way sees in her parents by being rebellious and by dancing/strip-teasing a boy. I find Echo as nothing but a slut and a highly-jealous person. I find it disgusting that she attempted to dance in front of her father. (1/5)
The Rose And The Beast is another unique as well among other modern fairytale novels / fairytale retolds, since the author attempted to wrote tales in pretty words. Sometimes, we need to admit that pretty words don't make a good story, especially when you find a character who licks her hand as if it was a paw and an author who keeps describing unnecessary things in the story. My favorite among the retolds would be "Tiny".
Tales in The Rose And The Beast:
- Snow = Snow White (If you want a story that is slightly different from the usual Snow Whites who picks the prince, then I think you would like this one. Love is not always the heroine's happy ending, sometimes it's about family as well.)
- Tiny = Thumbelina (I enjoyed this. Although Block just nonchalantly described everything here, I adore the ending.)
- Glass = Cinderella(A Cinderella who deeply adores her siblings.)
- Charm = Sleeping Beauty (Mindfuck alert.)
- Wolf = Red Riding Hood? (I was confused on this tale. I wasn't certain if it's Red Riding Hood or not, but oh well. There are a couple of Red Riding Hood stories out there and if you compare this to those, then there would be a huge gap. Wolf would be in the bottom while the others would be on top of it.)
- Rose = Rose Red and Snow White (Sheesh.)
- Bones = Bluebeard (I read a fanfic about Bluebeard's tale and compare to an amateur writer and the professional one, the amateur acted the part of being a pro.)
- Beast = Beauty and the Beast (A heroine who enjoyed her freedom from her father and enjoyed the Beast's company not until he became human. She prefers a beast over a man.)
- Ice = Ice Queen (Bah.)
Among all three, the first story is my favorite. I find it unique and written well. I enjoyed reading the story. It was really interesting and the way Block wrote was simply amazing. To sum it all up, Psyche in a dress is a free-verse poem with bits of narrative tales about its characters. Combined with a modern twist, "Psyche in a Dress" is simply alluring and won't get hold of you no matter how short this work is. (3/5)
Echo would be my least favorite. Block's characters are messy. Her writing here is messy. Everything is messy, except Echo's "emotional" personality. Block describes Echo as a girl who tries to find love the way sees in her parents by being rebellious and by dancing/strip-teasing a boy. I find Echo as nothing but a slut and a highly-jealous person. I find it disgusting that she attempted to dance in front of her father. (1/5)
The Rose And The Beast is another unique as well among other modern fairytale novels / fairytale retolds, since the author attempted to wrote tales in pretty words. Sometimes, we need to admit that pretty words don't make a good story, especially when you find a character who licks her hand as if it was a paw and an author who keeps describing unnecessary things in the story. My favorite among the retolds would be "Tiny".
Tales in The Rose And The Beast:
- Snow = Snow White (If you want a story that is slightly different from the usual Snow Whites who picks the prince, then I think you would like this one. Love is not always the heroine's happy ending, sometimes it's about family as well.)
- Tiny = Thumbelina (I enjoyed this. Although Block just nonchalantly described everything here, I adore the ending.)
- Glass = Cinderella(A Cinderella who deeply adores her siblings.)
- Charm = Sleeping Beauty (Mindfuck alert.)
- Wolf = Red Riding Hood? (I was confused on this tale. I wasn't certain if it's Red Riding Hood or not, but oh well. There are a couple of Red Riding Hood stories out there and if you compare this to those, then there would be a huge gap. Wolf would be in the bottom while the others would be on top of it.)
- Rose = Rose Red and Snow White (Sheesh.)
- Bones = Bluebeard (I read a fanfic about Bluebeard's tale and compare to an amateur writer and the professional one, the amateur acted the part of being a pro.)
- Beast = Beauty and the Beast (A heroine who enjoyed her freedom from her father and enjoyed the Beast's company not until he became human. She prefers a beast over a man.)
- Ice = Ice Queen (Bah.)
January 7, 2012
This collection of three stories, all retellings of myths and tales, is absolutely lovely. As a huge fan of lyrical writing, I won't embarrass myself by mentioning how little I've read of Francesca Lia Block's, but I loved her story in Kate Bernheimer's anthology and am so happy I picked this up.
The first story, "Psyche in a Dress" is based on the myth of Cupid and Psyche and is told in verse, but it's by the stories of the many fabulous women of the Greek tradition. Psyche's trials and tribulations after she reveals Eros's appearance is expertly woven together, and as a reader you admire her growth as you watch her assume the identities of Persephone, Eurydice, Echo, Demeter and others.
The second, "Echo" more convoluted, urban, and gritty, but much more faithful to the fairytale ideal of "true love." Echo's mother is an angel, perfect in every way. Her father's a painter. They grew up loving each other and Echo felt like (alas) an echo, and spends most of her youth meeting people and trying to find herself. Eventually her father's dying from cancer, and he leaves her paints and a blank canvas. This is my favourite of the three.
The last book, "Roses and Beasts" one is a collection of tellings and retellings of fairytales. Some were straightforward if a little off-kilter (Beast), others were looser and had a bit more edge (Wolf, Tiny). I liked them all, but my favorite was "Rose", a retelling of Snow White and Rose Red.
The magical part of all three stories is Block's evocative writing, and her skilled execution. If I'm still thinking about it next week, I'm rounding up.
Also, the way this woman describes food is incredible. This book makes me hungry.
The first story, "Psyche in a Dress" is based on the myth of Cupid and Psyche and is told in verse, but it's by the stories of the many fabulous women of the Greek tradition. Psyche's trials and tribulations after she reveals Eros's appearance is expertly woven together, and as a reader you admire her growth as you watch her assume the identities of Persephone, Eurydice, Echo, Demeter and others.
The second, "Echo" more convoluted, urban, and gritty, but much more faithful to the fairytale ideal of "true love." Echo's mother is an angel, perfect in every way. Her father's a painter. They grew up loving each other and Echo felt like (alas) an echo, and spends most of her youth meeting people and trying to find herself. Eventually her father's dying from cancer, and he leaves her paints and a blank canvas. This is my favourite of the three.
The last book, "Roses and Beasts" one is a collection of tellings and retellings of fairytales. Some were straightforward if a little off-kilter (Beast), others were looser and had a bit more edge (Wolf, Tiny). I liked them all, but my favorite was "Rose", a retelling of Snow White and Rose Red.
The magical part of all three stories is Block's evocative writing, and her skilled execution. If I'm still thinking about it next week, I'm rounding up.
Also, the way this woman describes food is incredible. This book makes me hungry.
October 9, 2011
literally, this whole book i was like what the heck is going on? Plus it disturbed me greatly.
September 14, 2015
Kurz und knapp
Eins meiner neuen Lieblingsbücher, das ich nienienienienie wieder hergeben werde! Ich mutmaße, dass man den Stil der Autorin entweder liebt oder nur komisch findet. Für mich ist er flüssig, poetisch, romantisch, aufregend, lebendig und perfekt.
Lang und breit
Francesca Lia Block hat es geschafft. Meine erste fünfstellige Bewertung in diesem Jahr. Ich bin verliebt in dieses Buch, in diesen Schreibstil.
In Roses and Bones findet man insgesamt drei bisher einzeln veröffentlichte Werke der Autorin, namentlich: Psyche In A Dress, Echo und The Rose And The Beast, wobei letzteres eine Sammlung kürzerer Märcheneuerzählungen ist. Psyche In A Dress ist größtenteils in Versform geschrieben, liest sich aber leicht hintereinander weg.
Was alle Geschichten gemeinsam haben, ist der umwerfende Stil. Die Autorin hat eine Art zu schreiben, die man entweder liebt oder mit der man nichts anfangen kann. Ich persönlich könnte das Buch jetzt auf jeder beliebigen Seite aufschlagen und würde sofort eine Stelle finden, die ich zitieren möchte, um euch die Schönheit der Sprache nahe zu bringen.
Inhaltlich kann ich gar nicht so viel sagen. Francesca Lia Block hat hier keine Geschichten im herkömmlichen Sinne geschrieben. Ihre Worte klingen mehr nach Gedichten mit einer zusammenhängenden Handlung. Manchmal war ich nicht sicher, um welche Figur es gerade geht, aber am Ende hat sich immer alles gefügt und bis dahin habe ich mich nie geärgert sondern einfach die poetische Sprache genossen.
Themen, die sich in allen Geschichten wieder finden sind die Beziehung zwischen Mutter und Tochter, die Einstellung zum eigenen Körper, das Frauwerden, Drogen, Liebe und Sex, Musik und der Tod.
Da der Stil so perfekt vor sich hin fließt, fiel es mir schwer das Buch aus der Hand zu legen. Man kann die Geschichten gut in einem Rutsch lesen (ist sicher auch zu empfehlen, weil man dann nicht so schnell den Überblick über die vielen Figuren verliert), allerdings würde ich nicht das ganze Buch hintereinander lesen, da es sonst wirklich zu Verwirrungen kommen kann. Das liegt daran, dass die Autorin ihren Grundthemen treu ist und ihren Stil durchzieht. Dabei sind mir auch ein paar ihrer Lieblingswörter wie „stargazer lillies� oder „rhinestone� aufgefallen. Finde ich insgesamt nicht schlimm, aber ich musste erst herausfinden, dass ich Francesa Lia Blocks Erzählungen am besten in kleinen Portionen genieße.
Apropos Portionen. Die Autorin beschreibt unheimlich gern (und fabelhaft) Essen. Sie schildert es so bunt und lecker, dass mir nicht nur das Wasser im Mund zusammen gelaufen ist, sondern die Beschreibungen sogar die Atmosphäre der Szene unterstützt haben. Lest selbst:
Am Ende könnte ich mich für keine Lieblingsgeschichte entscheiden. Ich mochte Psyche In A Dress sehr gern, da es sich mit griechischen Göttern beschäftigt und mich ständig dazu angeregt hat etwas über eben diese nachzuschlagen und mein Wissen aufzufrischen.
Genauso toll waren die abgewandelten Minimärchen in The Rose and the Beast. Durch originelle Ideen hat Francesca Lia Block die Originale so gut verschleiert, dass ich mit großer Freude (und manchmal Anstrengung) überlegt habe, um welches Märchen es sich handelt.
Das erste Mal mit Francesca Lia Block?
Unglaublicherweise, ja!
Das letzte Mal mit Francesca Lia Block ?
NEIN! Nachdem ich Roses and Bones beendet hatte, wollte ich am liebsten ALLE Werke der Autorin kaufen und das sind zum Glück nicht gerade wenig. Bisher habe ich mich noch zurückgehalten, aber in Zukunft werde ich meine Sammlung ganz sicher Schritt für Schritt aufstocken.
Buchcover umtauschen?
Dieses „nein� ist genauso laut wie das weiter oben. Ich liebe das Buchcover. Es ist schick, sexy und vermittelt genau die Atmosphäre, die Francesca Lia Block beim Schreiben erschafft. Außerdem sind die Farben wirklich toll.
Eins meiner neuen Lieblingsbücher, das ich nienienienienie wieder hergeben werde! Ich mutmaße, dass man den Stil der Autorin entweder liebt oder nur komisch findet. Für mich ist er flüssig, poetisch, romantisch, aufregend, lebendig und perfekt.
Lang und breit
Francesca Lia Block hat es geschafft. Meine erste fünfstellige Bewertung in diesem Jahr. Ich bin verliebt in dieses Buch, in diesen Schreibstil.
In Roses and Bones findet man insgesamt drei bisher einzeln veröffentlichte Werke der Autorin, namentlich: Psyche In A Dress, Echo und The Rose And The Beast, wobei letzteres eine Sammlung kürzerer Märcheneuerzählungen ist. Psyche In A Dress ist größtenteils in Versform geschrieben, liest sich aber leicht hintereinander weg.
Was alle Geschichten gemeinsam haben, ist der umwerfende Stil. Die Autorin hat eine Art zu schreiben, die man entweder liebt oder mit der man nichts anfangen kann. Ich persönlich könnte das Buch jetzt auf jeder beliebigen Seite aufschlagen und würde sofort eine Stelle finden, die ich zitieren möchte, um euch die Schönheit der Sprache nahe zu bringen.
„He had become something else entirely. So he decided to become something else again. He changed his name, he changed the color of his hair, he wore eyeliner and grew his fingernails, changed his skin with ink tattoos of devil girls. He went alone into the desert to set off fireworks to immunize himself to loud sounds.�
(S. 56)
Inhaltlich kann ich gar nicht so viel sagen. Francesca Lia Block hat hier keine Geschichten im herkömmlichen Sinne geschrieben. Ihre Worte klingen mehr nach Gedichten mit einer zusammenhängenden Handlung. Manchmal war ich nicht sicher, um welche Figur es gerade geht, aber am Ende hat sich immer alles gefügt und bis dahin habe ich mich nie geärgert sondern einfach die poetische Sprache genossen.
Themen, die sich in allen Geschichten wieder finden sind die Beziehung zwischen Mutter und Tochter, die Einstellung zum eigenen Körper, das Frauwerden, Drogen, Liebe und Sex, Musik und der Tod.
Da der Stil so perfekt vor sich hin fließt, fiel es mir schwer das Buch aus der Hand zu legen. Man kann die Geschichten gut in einem Rutsch lesen (ist sicher auch zu empfehlen, weil man dann nicht so schnell den Überblick über die vielen Figuren verliert), allerdings würde ich nicht das ganze Buch hintereinander lesen, da es sonst wirklich zu Verwirrungen kommen kann. Das liegt daran, dass die Autorin ihren Grundthemen treu ist und ihren Stil durchzieht. Dabei sind mir auch ein paar ihrer Lieblingswörter wie „stargazer lillies� oder „rhinestone� aufgefallen. Finde ich insgesamt nicht schlimm, aber ich musste erst herausfinden, dass ich Francesa Lia Blocks Erzählungen am besten in kleinen Portionen genieße.
Apropos Portionen. Die Autorin beschreibt unheimlich gern (und fabelhaft) Essen. Sie schildert es so bunt und lecker, dass mir nicht nur das Wasser im Mund zusammen gelaufen ist, sondern die Beschreibungen sogar die Atmosphäre der Szene unterstützt haben. Lest selbst:
„She had made a meal of jasmine rice, coconut milk, fresh mint, and chiles. There were tall glasses of mineral water with slices of lime like green moons rising above clear bubbling pools. There was a glass bowl full of gardenias.�
(S. 309)
Am Ende könnte ich mich für keine Lieblingsgeschichte entscheiden. Ich mochte Psyche In A Dress sehr gern, da es sich mit griechischen Göttern beschäftigt und mich ständig dazu angeregt hat etwas über eben diese nachzuschlagen und mein Wissen aufzufrischen.
Genauso toll waren die abgewandelten Minimärchen in The Rose and the Beast. Durch originelle Ideen hat Francesca Lia Block die Originale so gut verschleiert, dass ich mit großer Freude (und manchmal Anstrengung) überlegt habe, um welches Märchen es sich handelt.
Das erste Mal mit Francesca Lia Block?
Unglaublicherweise, ja!
Das letzte Mal mit Francesca Lia Block ?
NEIN! Nachdem ich Roses and Bones beendet hatte, wollte ich am liebsten ALLE Werke der Autorin kaufen und das sind zum Glück nicht gerade wenig. Bisher habe ich mich noch zurückgehalten, aber in Zukunft werde ich meine Sammlung ganz sicher Schritt für Schritt aufstocken.
Buchcover umtauschen?
Dieses „nein� ist genauso laut wie das weiter oben. Ich liebe das Buchcover. Es ist schick, sexy und vermittelt genau die Atmosphäre, die Francesca Lia Block beim Schreiben erschafft. Außerdem sind die Farben wirklich toll.
July 6, 2022
I'd forgotten how dark some of Block's tales werre behind the tulle and glitter. Lots of dark modern fairytales and myths about girls and women who have to save themselves. References to r*pe, abusive relationships, drugs.
Read
February 17, 2024I've had this on my shelf for awhile and Roses & Bones was the second book of Francesca Lia Block's that I read. Although, I couldn't seem to get into this one.
I had got it from Bookperk when I was getting Abandon, and thought why not! The mythology and fairy tales really grabbed at my attention, I totally though this was going to be the book for me. Only it wasn't.
There's 3 books in this and I read the first one, Psyche in a Dress, which was in a sort of poetry like format. Not normal novel paragraphs at least. It was a sort of mesh of Greek myths from Psyche and Eros and Persephone and Hades and other Greek myth pieces. It was interesting, yet a little hard to read. For when I see the "poetry" like format, my brain automatically tries to find a rhythm from my school years.
The next story Echo was where my attention started to wan. The perspectives were very scattered, at first I was fine because Echo was the storyteller, but then it jumped around in the story telling, but still had the characters from within. I think one section was a flashback from another character, but then we jump back to Echo and at the time I didn't know that. A whole new story was going on with Echo. It was just confusing, and then it goes onto a character we haven't met but then Echo meets him to tie it back into the story. I was just so lost I gave that one up.
The next one was The Rose and the Beast, this had a collection of shorter stories that were supposed to be the fairy tales retold sort of thing. I didn't even make it through the first one. It was called "Snow" so it was following the threads of Snow White in a way, but after spending so much time reading Echo, my brain just wasn't into it so I ended up stopping the book entirely.
This was a DNF for me and one of the firsts that I had in awhile, maybe someday I'll go back to the last segment and try it again, but I really don't know. The book sounded like it was going to be interesting, but it just wasn't for me. The mythic and fable-ic (Not really a word, but you get it) elements weren't really strong in the last ones. At least not that I could see, so it was a letdown for me. It does still have the same contemporary feel of I Was a Teenage Fairy, that one I read years ago and liked pretty good. When I still read some contemporaries at least, although since there was a fairy not sure if you could call it contemporary. The paranormal or in this case "mythic" elements just weren't strong enough for my UF tastes.
I had got it from Bookperk when I was getting Abandon, and thought why not! The mythology and fairy tales really grabbed at my attention, I totally though this was going to be the book for me. Only it wasn't.
There's 3 books in this and I read the first one, Psyche in a Dress, which was in a sort of poetry like format. Not normal novel paragraphs at least. It was a sort of mesh of Greek myths from Psyche and Eros and Persephone and Hades and other Greek myth pieces. It was interesting, yet a little hard to read. For when I see the "poetry" like format, my brain automatically tries to find a rhythm from my school years.
The next story Echo was where my attention started to wan. The perspectives were very scattered, at first I was fine because Echo was the storyteller, but then it jumped around in the story telling, but still had the characters from within. I think one section was a flashback from another character, but then we jump back to Echo and at the time I didn't know that. A whole new story was going on with Echo. It was just confusing, and then it goes onto a character we haven't met but then Echo meets him to tie it back into the story. I was just so lost I gave that one up.
The next one was The Rose and the Beast, this had a collection of shorter stories that were supposed to be the fairy tales retold sort of thing. I didn't even make it through the first one. It was called "Snow" so it was following the threads of Snow White in a way, but after spending so much time reading Echo, my brain just wasn't into it so I ended up stopping the book entirely.
This was a DNF for me and one of the firsts that I had in awhile, maybe someday I'll go back to the last segment and try it again, but I really don't know. The book sounded like it was going to be interesting, but it just wasn't for me. The mythic and fable-ic (Not really a word, but you get it) elements weren't really strong in the last ones. At least not that I could see, so it was a letdown for me. It does still have the same contemporary feel of I Was a Teenage Fairy, that one I read years ago and liked pretty good. When I still read some contemporaries at least, although since there was a fairy not sure if you could call it contemporary. The paranormal or in this case "mythic" elements just weren't strong enough for my UF tastes.
Want to read
November 29, 2011I can't wait to read this looks good, thanks Lena!
January 5, 2019
So I did this class back at university called Children’s Literature, and we talked a lot about Young Adult fiction and how it’s become popular to change it up in these kind of stories and rewrite Greek myths and fairy tales into young adult narratives. It’s quite true, really, but I bought this book with much higher expectations, and I was a bit disappointed when I finished it�
The book is split into three sections, each one being a novella previously published by Block that’s been put into this collection. The first one, Psyche in a Dress, is a modern retelling of the story of Psyche and Cupid. What I liked about this is that it’s written in free verse, and as time goes by and the woman representing Psyche starts to change and grow, she starts to take on different personifications of Greek Goddesses, including Persephone, Echo, and Demeter. Each person she meets is a reflection of a Greek God, from Hades to Aphrodite to Eros himself. It’s a wonderful story once you get the hang of the writing style, and I found myself appreciating it for what it was eventually.
The second story, Echo, is a retelling of the story of Echo and Narcissus, told through the eyes of a Hollywood girl who’s trying to find her way again after her father falls ill. It’s actually very poignant and goes through her journey of discovery after she falls in love with someone who she knows she can never be with, and spends the rest of her life trying to find him. She meets so many different people, and basically ends up becoming an Echo of almost every person she meets in her quest to find love again.
The third set of stories is called The Rose and the Beast, and is basically a retelling of some classic fairy tales such as Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, and Thumbelina, among others. The stories are very short and take on new ways of looking at the fairy tales. In each one, the stories take place in the present day, like the ones that came before it, but there are elements of them that are very obviously linked to the original fairy tales. I think my favourite from this collection was ‘Ice�, because it explored the lesser known fairy tale of the Ice Queen.
I think my problem with this book in general lies in how I walked into it with much higher expectations than I actually should have had. I had bought this book under the impression it would be a lot better. While it isn’t badly written at all, it’s just not what I expected. It’s saving grace is the originality of the stories it shows and the intelligence that it was planned out with, but while reading it there were some monotonous or repetitive elements to it that did put me off a bit.
Final rating: 3/5. It’s not bad � really! It just could have been better somehow�
The book is split into three sections, each one being a novella previously published by Block that’s been put into this collection. The first one, Psyche in a Dress, is a modern retelling of the story of Psyche and Cupid. What I liked about this is that it’s written in free verse, and as time goes by and the woman representing Psyche starts to change and grow, she starts to take on different personifications of Greek Goddesses, including Persephone, Echo, and Demeter. Each person she meets is a reflection of a Greek God, from Hades to Aphrodite to Eros himself. It’s a wonderful story once you get the hang of the writing style, and I found myself appreciating it for what it was eventually.
The second story, Echo, is a retelling of the story of Echo and Narcissus, told through the eyes of a Hollywood girl who’s trying to find her way again after her father falls ill. It’s actually very poignant and goes through her journey of discovery after she falls in love with someone who she knows she can never be with, and spends the rest of her life trying to find him. She meets so many different people, and basically ends up becoming an Echo of almost every person she meets in her quest to find love again.
The third set of stories is called The Rose and the Beast, and is basically a retelling of some classic fairy tales such as Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, and Thumbelina, among others. The stories are very short and take on new ways of looking at the fairy tales. In each one, the stories take place in the present day, like the ones that came before it, but there are elements of them that are very obviously linked to the original fairy tales. I think my favourite from this collection was ‘Ice�, because it explored the lesser known fairy tale of the Ice Queen.
I think my problem with this book in general lies in how I walked into it with much higher expectations than I actually should have had. I had bought this book under the impression it would be a lot better. While it isn’t badly written at all, it’s just not what I expected. It’s saving grace is the originality of the stories it shows and the intelligence that it was planned out with, but while reading it there were some monotonous or repetitive elements to it that did put me off a bit.
Final rating: 3/5. It’s not bad � really! It just could have been better somehow�
November 12, 2021
I’m a tad obsessed with Greek Mythology and fairytale retellings so I had really high hopes for this omnibus of short stories.
Sadly, I was wrong. I am sure some people will love this but the obtuse lyrical writing didn’t engage me. I spent the first third of the book trying to work out what was going on. I skim read the middle. And then I continued to skim read the fairytales at the end. I just didn’t understannnnnndddd.
Sadly, I was wrong. I am sure some people will love this but the obtuse lyrical writing didn’t engage me. I spent the first third of the book trying to work out what was going on. I skim read the middle. And then I continued to skim read the fairytales at the end. I just didn’t understannnnnndddd.
June 23, 2024
It's not my favorite book by this author! Some of the stories I enjoyed others I did not.
December 8, 2011
Meine Meinung ...
Roses & Bones ist eine Anhäufung von Kurzgeschichten die Mystisch, Gefühlvoll und vor allem Geschichten sind die den Leser in seinen Bann ziehen. Realitätsnah sowie auch Realitätsfern sind manche von diesen, die Francesca Lia Block so berauschend beschreibt, doch genau dies, hat für mich das Lesevergnügen unheimlich gesteigert, und das lesen zu etwas ganz besonderem gemacht. Ein Roman der mir noch lange im Gedächtnis bleiben wird und hoffentlich weitere interessierte Leser finden wird, die sich seiner annehmen.
Die Geschichten haben mir sehr zugesagt, nicht nur weil sie sehr glaubhaft dem Leser nähergebracht werden, sondern weil unheimlich viel Gefühl und Emotionen in ihnen steckt. Jedesmal konnte ich mit den Protagonisten mitfühlen und wie seltsam und verwirrend der Sachverhalt auch manchmal war, letztendlich fand ich jede Kurzgeschichte interessant und toll von Francesca Lia Block erzählt. Sie kann besonders gut Gefühle übermitteln, nicht nur durch verbale Kommunikation der Figuren sondern auch sehr gut durch non-verbale. Die Charaktere waren immer sehr detailreich und authentisch gestaltet, das Aussehen, die Persönlichkeit und auch die Entwicklung dieser Figuren, bringen den Leser in eine andere, manchmal auch vertraute Welt. Oftmals konnte ich mir das Geschehen bildlich vorstellen und ich habe oftmals daran gedacht, dass genau so eine Geschichte bestimmt irgendwo dort draußen in der weiten Welt genauso passiert sein könnte.
Romantik und das Mystische werden oftmals von der Autorin in Anspruch genommen, doch jede Geschichte hat ihre ganz eigene Mischung aus diesen Genres. Miss Lia Block spricht auch Themen an, die von der Gesellschaft vielleicht nicht unbedingt heiß diskutiert werden, und sie scheut sich auch nicht davor diese zu beschreiben und dem Leser so nahe zu bringen. Ich denke der Roman wird nicht für jeden etwas sein, der Schreibstil der Autorin ist doch etwas eigen, ihre Beschreibungen sind wirklich wunderbar und vermitteln das wesentliche und die Emotionen die dahinterstecken. Aber ich kenne auch viele Leser denen gerade Beschreibungen, besonders wenn diese paar Seiten lang sind, nicht besonders gut gefallen. Deswegen würde ich denjenigen raten die sich für diesen Roman interessieren: Schaut erstmal in das Buch rein, oder lest eine Leseprobe von diesem.
Zur der Optik des Buches möchte ich die volle Punktzahl überreichen. Ich finde das Cover wirklich wunderschön! Es ist aufjedenfall ein Eye-Catcher, das Model sieht hübsch aus und die Schminke sowie die Haarfarbe gefallen mir außerordentlich gut, soweit ich mich erinnere ist das Mädchen sogar einer Figur nachempfunden die sich auch in einer Kurzgeschichte in dem Roman wiederfindet (und besonders diese Geschichte habe ich am liebsten von allen gelesen, da ich sie einfach so ergreifend fand. Leider weiß ich jetzt nicht mehr wie die Kurzgeschichte heißt ...). Die Schriftart sowie die Swirls passen meiner Meinung nach, auch gut zu dem Cover. Die rosa Pflanzen auf dem Rücken und der dunkle Hintergrund haben auch nochmal etwas besonderes. Mal wieder hat Harper bei dem Cover alles richtig gemacht, was man nur richtig machen kann. Ich meine sogar, dass das Buch ein Coverkauf gewesen war, umso erfreulicher das es auch noch toll zu lesen war ;P
Ein kleinen Kritikpunkt, und weshalb das Buch von mir nicht die volle Punktzahl bekommen hat, muss ich leider dennoch äußern. Am Ende des Romans gibt es Kurzgeschichten der Autorin wo sie Grimm's Märchen neu interpretiert. Ist ja eigentlich nichts schlimmes daran und einige haben mir auch gefallen, jedoch habe ich die meisten teilweise nur überflogen das sie mich schlicht und weg, einfach nicht interessiert haben oder begeistern konnten. Wenn ich einem Buch die volle Punktzahl überreiche, dann muss auch wirklich alles stimmen und da die neuen Interpretationen der Märchen mir nicht so sehr zugesagt haben, habe ich einen Punkt abgezogen und so dem tollen Roman vier Sterne verliehen. Ich denke das sich dadurch niemand abschrecken lassen muss und jeder selbst entscheiden kann, wie er diese "neuen" Märchen findet.
Fazit:
Ein besonderer Roman der nicht nur sehr viel Gefühl und dem Leser näher bringt, sondern etwas einzigartiges an sich hat. Das Cover ist ein richtiger Eye-Catcher und auch sonst macht die Autorin alles richtig um den Leser in seinen Bann ziehen zu können. Die Kurzgeschichten sind, meiner Meinung nach, allesamt interessant und spiegeln oftmals Situationen und Geschehnisse dar die sich bestimmt irgendwo auf der Welt abgespielt haben, oder es noch könnten. Genau dieser Realitätsbezug, macht den Roman zu etwas ganz besonderem. Wer sich nicht von Beschreibungen genervt fühlt und das Gefühl zwischen den Zeilen aufnehmen kann, die der Autor versucht hinüberzubringen, der sollte sich Roses & Bones aufjedenfall genauer ansehen. Mein Tipp ist: Schaut einfach mal in den Roman rein oder/ und lest eine Leseprobe und entscheidet dann erst :)
Roses & Bones ist eine Anhäufung von Kurzgeschichten die Mystisch, Gefühlvoll und vor allem Geschichten sind die den Leser in seinen Bann ziehen. Realitätsnah sowie auch Realitätsfern sind manche von diesen, die Francesca Lia Block so berauschend beschreibt, doch genau dies, hat für mich das Lesevergnügen unheimlich gesteigert, und das lesen zu etwas ganz besonderem gemacht. Ein Roman der mir noch lange im Gedächtnis bleiben wird und hoffentlich weitere interessierte Leser finden wird, die sich seiner annehmen.
Die Geschichten haben mir sehr zugesagt, nicht nur weil sie sehr glaubhaft dem Leser nähergebracht werden, sondern weil unheimlich viel Gefühl und Emotionen in ihnen steckt. Jedesmal konnte ich mit den Protagonisten mitfühlen und wie seltsam und verwirrend der Sachverhalt auch manchmal war, letztendlich fand ich jede Kurzgeschichte interessant und toll von Francesca Lia Block erzählt. Sie kann besonders gut Gefühle übermitteln, nicht nur durch verbale Kommunikation der Figuren sondern auch sehr gut durch non-verbale. Die Charaktere waren immer sehr detailreich und authentisch gestaltet, das Aussehen, die Persönlichkeit und auch die Entwicklung dieser Figuren, bringen den Leser in eine andere, manchmal auch vertraute Welt. Oftmals konnte ich mir das Geschehen bildlich vorstellen und ich habe oftmals daran gedacht, dass genau so eine Geschichte bestimmt irgendwo dort draußen in der weiten Welt genauso passiert sein könnte.
Romantik und das Mystische werden oftmals von der Autorin in Anspruch genommen, doch jede Geschichte hat ihre ganz eigene Mischung aus diesen Genres. Miss Lia Block spricht auch Themen an, die von der Gesellschaft vielleicht nicht unbedingt heiß diskutiert werden, und sie scheut sich auch nicht davor diese zu beschreiben und dem Leser so nahe zu bringen. Ich denke der Roman wird nicht für jeden etwas sein, der Schreibstil der Autorin ist doch etwas eigen, ihre Beschreibungen sind wirklich wunderbar und vermitteln das wesentliche und die Emotionen die dahinterstecken. Aber ich kenne auch viele Leser denen gerade Beschreibungen, besonders wenn diese paar Seiten lang sind, nicht besonders gut gefallen. Deswegen würde ich denjenigen raten die sich für diesen Roman interessieren: Schaut erstmal in das Buch rein, oder lest eine Leseprobe von diesem.
Zur der Optik des Buches möchte ich die volle Punktzahl überreichen. Ich finde das Cover wirklich wunderschön! Es ist aufjedenfall ein Eye-Catcher, das Model sieht hübsch aus und die Schminke sowie die Haarfarbe gefallen mir außerordentlich gut, soweit ich mich erinnere ist das Mädchen sogar einer Figur nachempfunden die sich auch in einer Kurzgeschichte in dem Roman wiederfindet (und besonders diese Geschichte habe ich am liebsten von allen gelesen, da ich sie einfach so ergreifend fand. Leider weiß ich jetzt nicht mehr wie die Kurzgeschichte heißt ...). Die Schriftart sowie die Swirls passen meiner Meinung nach, auch gut zu dem Cover. Die rosa Pflanzen auf dem Rücken und der dunkle Hintergrund haben auch nochmal etwas besonderes. Mal wieder hat Harper bei dem Cover alles richtig gemacht, was man nur richtig machen kann. Ich meine sogar, dass das Buch ein Coverkauf gewesen war, umso erfreulicher das es auch noch toll zu lesen war ;P
Ein kleinen Kritikpunkt, und weshalb das Buch von mir nicht die volle Punktzahl bekommen hat, muss ich leider dennoch äußern. Am Ende des Romans gibt es Kurzgeschichten der Autorin wo sie Grimm's Märchen neu interpretiert. Ist ja eigentlich nichts schlimmes daran und einige haben mir auch gefallen, jedoch habe ich die meisten teilweise nur überflogen das sie mich schlicht und weg, einfach nicht interessiert haben oder begeistern konnten. Wenn ich einem Buch die volle Punktzahl überreiche, dann muss auch wirklich alles stimmen und da die neuen Interpretationen der Märchen mir nicht so sehr zugesagt haben, habe ich einen Punkt abgezogen und so dem tollen Roman vier Sterne verliehen. Ich denke das sich dadurch niemand abschrecken lassen muss und jeder selbst entscheiden kann, wie er diese "neuen" Märchen findet.
Fazit:
Ein besonderer Roman der nicht nur sehr viel Gefühl und dem Leser näher bringt, sondern etwas einzigartiges an sich hat. Das Cover ist ein richtiger Eye-Catcher und auch sonst macht die Autorin alles richtig um den Leser in seinen Bann ziehen zu können. Die Kurzgeschichten sind, meiner Meinung nach, allesamt interessant und spiegeln oftmals Situationen und Geschehnisse dar die sich bestimmt irgendwo auf der Welt abgespielt haben, oder es noch könnten. Genau dieser Realitätsbezug, macht den Roman zu etwas ganz besonderem. Wer sich nicht von Beschreibungen genervt fühlt und das Gefühl zwischen den Zeilen aufnehmen kann, die der Autor versucht hinüberzubringen, der sollte sich Roses & Bones aufjedenfall genauer ansehen. Mein Tipp ist: Schaut einfach mal in den Roman rein oder/ und lest eine Leseprobe und entscheidet dann erst :)
December 31, 2012
Roses and Bones: Myths, Tales, and Secrets is a compendium of three of Block's books. I had not read any of these previously, but I had read several other of her books years ago when I was in college, like the Weetzie Bat series. I remembered liking them at the time, and enjoying her writing style, so I picked this up at the library a few weeks ago. I can see why I enjoyed her then, but I did not enjoy this as much now, as an adult.
The thing with Block's writing is that it is very intoxicating, on the surface, because she is very gifted at writing dreamy, magical prose that pulls you in to a beautiful yet tragic place. She is excellent at describing scenery, people, clothing, food, and so forth, as well as portraying emotions like longing, puppy love, and emptiness. However, deep down, it's all quite depressing. Her version of love, as another reviewer commented, isn't true love, it's misguided lust, codependency, and one-sided obsessions. Or is that "true" love - that is, is that reality? I like to think not...
Her writing used to suck me in, because I so wanted to be one of the characters in her books: gritty and beautiful and adored by at least one person who could see past my imperfections and love me with every ounce of their being. It would be us against the world, holding hands and forging our way through endless bright lights and dim rooms and drinks and parties and people and we would be fabulous amazing sparkly rock stars whether anyone else realized it or not...and so forth. That is no longer a goal of mine. I would like a real relationship, where we have independence, and aren't dead inside when the other is away for five seconds, thank you...
But I digress...
This book in particular is essentially three stories of all of that - central female characters that party and sleep around and are all quite unremarkable and fairly damaged, but her writing makes them seem like they are something to aspire to be.
Psyche in a Dress, the first book, is written in a poetry-esque style. I am not familiar with the original myths that it's based on, and although I was going to look them up as I was reading this book, I got lazy and didn't. I was fairly confused throughout the story because of my lack of knowledge of the original stories as well as the cryptic writing. It was so-so.
The second book, Echo, was easier to understand, although she jumps around characters quite a bit and it gets hard to follow. Each chapter is narrated through a different point of view from the one before, and some of the characters have more than one name. Nevertheless, it isn't too difficult to piece together, although I wished I had a flow chart at one point to track all the people everyone was sleeping with. Echo, the lead character, really bothered me though. She had a psychic power which allowed her to see into someone's past if she did an erotic striptease for them. Seriously, what the hell? The way Block writes it makes it seem like this is some magical, mystical, amazing thing where she sees into boys' souls and then heals them by having sex with them, but to me it was just some patriarchal BS. She always is left empty inside because they never stick around, so it's just another example of a woman serving men in a non-equal situation. Screw that.
The third section was a bit different. It's a collection of very short stories that are all variations on fairy tales. Some of the originals I was not familiar with or I couldn't quite correlate with the original version, but others translated fairly well. A couple were cute, especially Tiny, a variant of Thumbelina. My favorite, and probably the only thing I truly liked in the entire book, was the Snow White adaptation. I won't spoil the ending, but it's how I've always wished the story ended up.
The thing with Block's writing is that it is very intoxicating, on the surface, because she is very gifted at writing dreamy, magical prose that pulls you in to a beautiful yet tragic place. She is excellent at describing scenery, people, clothing, food, and so forth, as well as portraying emotions like longing, puppy love, and emptiness. However, deep down, it's all quite depressing. Her version of love, as another reviewer commented, isn't true love, it's misguided lust, codependency, and one-sided obsessions. Or is that "true" love - that is, is that reality? I like to think not...
Her writing used to suck me in, because I so wanted to be one of the characters in her books: gritty and beautiful and adored by at least one person who could see past my imperfections and love me with every ounce of their being. It would be us against the world, holding hands and forging our way through endless bright lights and dim rooms and drinks and parties and people and we would be fabulous amazing sparkly rock stars whether anyone else realized it or not...and so forth. That is no longer a goal of mine. I would like a real relationship, where we have independence, and aren't dead inside when the other is away for five seconds, thank you...
But I digress...
This book in particular is essentially three stories of all of that - central female characters that party and sleep around and are all quite unremarkable and fairly damaged, but her writing makes them seem like they are something to aspire to be.
Psyche in a Dress, the first book, is written in a poetry-esque style. I am not familiar with the original myths that it's based on, and although I was going to look them up as I was reading this book, I got lazy and didn't. I was fairly confused throughout the story because of my lack of knowledge of the original stories as well as the cryptic writing. It was so-so.
The second book, Echo, was easier to understand, although she jumps around characters quite a bit and it gets hard to follow. Each chapter is narrated through a different point of view from the one before, and some of the characters have more than one name. Nevertheless, it isn't too difficult to piece together, although I wished I had a flow chart at one point to track all the people everyone was sleeping with. Echo, the lead character, really bothered me though. She had a psychic power which allowed her to see into someone's past if she did an erotic striptease for them. Seriously, what the hell? The way Block writes it makes it seem like this is some magical, mystical, amazing thing where she sees into boys' souls and then heals them by having sex with them, but to me it was just some patriarchal BS. She always is left empty inside because they never stick around, so it's just another example of a woman serving men in a non-equal situation. Screw that.
The third section was a bit different. It's a collection of very short stories that are all variations on fairy tales. Some of the originals I was not familiar with or I couldn't quite correlate with the original version, but others translated fairly well. A couple were cute, especially Tiny, a variant of Thumbelina. My favorite, and probably the only thing I truly liked in the entire book, was the Snow White adaptation. I won't spoil the ending, but it's how I've always wished the story ended up.
October 7, 2016
There was a person on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ who basically stated that this book is for “people who can stand cryptic storytellingâ€� and that is so true for this one. A lot of the stories were very strange and abstract and I never really understood what was going on until the end. Of course, there were a few short stories that were quite obvious so I immediately was on board with the plot. However, overall, I only describe this book as “strangeâ€� and very “weirdâ€�.
The short story itself wasn’t a problem and I was fine reading it but I noticed that in the first half of the book, apparently a lot of the characters were the same person but under a different name? It was very odd, to say the least. I’m not sure what the purpose was in having the same person basically go along different aspects of his or her life with a different name yet you see the resemblance or the connection between the mythology and Francesca’s retelling.
It wasn’t until the end of her mythology retelling where I finally understood what exactly was going on with the plot. I actually contemplated about putting this book down so many times but because the stories are so short and because there were a few segments in poetry form rather than prose, it went by very quickly so I figured, why not finish it. I can’t say if it was a good idea for me to read it because I didn’t really get anything out of it other than confusion.
Another thing I didn’t really get were the second half when she decided to do a bunch of mini fairy tale retellings. Some of them were very obvious and some were very abstract. Some had a happy ending and others were quite sad. There was no consistency to the whole thing.
To be honest, I’m not sure what the whole point to these retellings were. The first half was just confusing as hell and all the females were apparently the same person or whatever. The second half was just as strange. At the end of the day, I’m not exactly sure what I read here. Like the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ reviewer, I would probably also recommend this book to those who enjoy obscure and confusing retellings of otherwise famous mythologies and fairy tales.
Click here to view entire review:
The short story itself wasn’t a problem and I was fine reading it but I noticed that in the first half of the book, apparently a lot of the characters were the same person but under a different name? It was very odd, to say the least. I’m not sure what the purpose was in having the same person basically go along different aspects of his or her life with a different name yet you see the resemblance or the connection between the mythology and Francesca’s retelling.
It wasn’t until the end of her mythology retelling where I finally understood what exactly was going on with the plot. I actually contemplated about putting this book down so many times but because the stories are so short and because there were a few segments in poetry form rather than prose, it went by very quickly so I figured, why not finish it. I can’t say if it was a good idea for me to read it because I didn’t really get anything out of it other than confusion.
Another thing I didn’t really get were the second half when she decided to do a bunch of mini fairy tale retellings. Some of them were very obvious and some were very abstract. Some had a happy ending and others were quite sad. There was no consistency to the whole thing.
To be honest, I’m not sure what the whole point to these retellings were. The first half was just confusing as hell and all the females were apparently the same person or whatever. The second half was just as strange. At the end of the day, I’m not exactly sure what I read here. Like the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ reviewer, I would probably also recommend this book to those who enjoy obscure and confusing retellings of otherwise famous mythologies and fairy tales.
Click here to view entire review:
December 30, 2010
Note: This book is actually a compendium of the previously published "Psyche in a Dress", "Echo", and "The Rose and the Beast".
That said, reading these books again is just as magical as the first time I read them. This compendium, if you don't already own the original three, is a wonderful bargain and a great intro into Francesca's work. Can't wait for the next book!
That said, reading these books again is just as magical as the first time I read them. This compendium, if you don't already own the original three, is a wonderful bargain and a great intro into Francesca's work. Can't wait for the next book!
November 29, 2011
This book is amazing!! It might not be for every type of person, it might be a little violent in some parts and a little graphic too but i like that sort of stuff. I have read this book once and i am in the middle of reading it for the second time and i have noticed things that I didn't know the first time. It is a awesome book!!
January 13, 2013
The first part of the book was very confusing but I think that was the point. If you've ever read a greek myth then you know they are really hard to interpret but are amazingly written. When I finished the first story I was like "this book is so stupid" but as the day went on I found myself thinking about how genius it was and thought provoking.
August 8, 2016
This was a really good book, very real and sort of heart wrenching for me. Though, about halfway through the first section, I realized that I have to read this book in small bits and chunks, rather than all the way through in one go. It was easier to focus and digest that way.
May 2, 2015
I usually love FLB. :( I sometimes wonder if I'm just growing out of her stuff though. I'm also not in the best reading frame-of-mind right now because I'm so busy with school, which has been making me a much more impatient reader.
October 7, 2012
I really love this book. the way the author wrote the book. every word was like poetry to me. i really like it. This book gave me the nice kind of sadness. I think francesca lia block has become my 3rd favorite author :)
December 5, 2012
I bought this online before I realized that I've already read the three stories in it (Psyche in a Dress, Echo and The Rose and the Beast) Oh weeeeell, I didn't pay much, and it'll be gifted to someone.
September 22, 2013
This is the most incredibly written YAL novel i have read for a looong time. Some of the prose is absolutely breathtaking. A series of twisted and appropriated fairytales.. I was absolutely mesmerised. If you love good fantasy and someone obsessed with language...this author is for you.
March 27, 2014
Authors who love have great knowledge in classics and mythology? I like them. Authors who know how to drive a wagon of imagination with readers? I SO LOVE! All three collections in this book should be marked as a must-read! :)
July 25, 2015
To say I did not like this book is actually not a good description, This book was dark, depressing, disturbing, and none of it in a good way or written well. I will not be reading anything else from this author, awful .
January 13, 2011
A lovely book containing some of Francesca Lia Block's most beautiful works.
Read
October 13, 2012I like fairy tales and mythology and I enjoyed this retelling. The last section was pretty dark and I'm not at all sure I think of this as "YA" reading.
Read
January 27, 2011Simply Beautiful!
March 10, 2011
It was a nice book, but I guess I didn't appreciate as much as the other books that I have read, but I'm sure this is the most different book that I have read from the others...
August 22, 2011
I just could not finish it. This book is not for me.
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