Blood Roses
by Francesca Lia Block
by Francesca Lia Block
BLOOD ROSES by Francesca Lia Block
Category: Fantasy
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 5/20/08
Publisher: Joanna Cotler
Reviewed by: coollibrarianchick
Rating: 4 Stars
On Francesca Lia Block’s website, there are a bunch of words lumped together, reminding me of magnetic poetry that
has been used to describe her work. I couldn’t agree more with the words reviewers have used. The one word that kept
jumping out at me while reading this was lyrical. I was looking for a word to describe what I thought about her newest
literary novella, BLOOD ROSES, and that describes it perfectly. Surreal and dreamy would be good adjectives to use,
as well.
The book is broken up into nine short stories. All of the stories deal with a transformation of some sort, whether it is
physical or emotional. Not once in any of her stories is the magical element questioned – it is just accepted. My favorite
story out of all of them is called Skin Art. Basically, it is about the all-consuming power of first love and how, after time
has passed, it is not as great as once thought.
Easy to read, this little book sucks you in, especially if you are a fan of thought-provoking fantasy, as Ms. Block straddles
the line between the worlds of magic and reality. The stories seem very personal, emotional; even, at times, irrational. You
definitely can’t argue with the quality of writing – Francesca Lia Block is a very good writer, but with that said she is not
for everyone.
People that are into the art scene will enjoy her work, as well as those who like to analyze dreams, as the stories are rich
in sensory detail. Hail to the queen of magical realism.
Category: Fantasy
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 5/20/08
Publisher: Joanna Cotler
Reviewed by: coollibrarianchick
Rating: 4 Stars
On Francesca Lia Block’s website, there are a bunch of words lumped together, reminding me of magnetic poetry that
has been used to describe her work. I couldn’t agree more with the words reviewers have used. The one word that kept
jumping out at me while reading this was lyrical. I was looking for a word to describe what I thought about her newest
literary novella, BLOOD ROSES, and that describes it perfectly. Surreal and dreamy would be good adjectives to use,
as well.
The book is broken up into nine short stories. All of the stories deal with a transformation of some sort, whether it is
physical or emotional. Not once in any of her stories is the magical element questioned – it is just accepted. My favorite
story out of all of them is called Skin Art. Basically, it is about the all-consuming power of first love and how, after time
has passed, it is not as great as once thought.
Easy to read, this little book sucks you in, especially if you are a fan of thought-provoking fantasy, as Ms. Block straddles
the line between the worlds of magic and reality. The stories seem very personal, emotional; even, at times, irrational. You
definitely can’t argue with the quality of writing – Francesca Lia Block is a very good writer, but with that said she is not
for everyone.
People that are into the art scene will enjoy her work, as well as those who like to analyze dreams, as the stories are rich
in sensory detail. Hail to the queen of magical realism.