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    Weetzie Bat
    Weetzie Bat
    Weetzie Bat
    Ebook68 pages57 minutes

    Weetzie Bat

    By Francesca Lia Block

    3.5/5

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    About this ebook

    “Transcendent.” —New York Times Book Review

    “Magnificent.” —Village Voice

    “Sparkling.” —Publishers Weekly

    Francesca Lia Block’s dazzling debut novel, Weetzie Bat, is not only a genre-shattering, critically acclaimed gem, it's also widely recognized as a classic of young adult literature, having captivated readers for generations.

    This coming-of-age novel follows the eponymous Weetzie Bat and her best friend Dirk as they navigate life and love in a timeless, dreamlike version of Los Angeles. When Weetzie is granted three wishes by a genie, she discovers that there are unexpected ramifications….

    Winner of the prestigious Phoenix Award, Weetzie Bat is a beautiful, poetic work of magical realism that is perfect for fans of Laura Ruby, Neil Gaiman, and Kelly Link.

    Editor's Note

    Dazzling poetic prose…

    This beautifully offbeat novel deftly entwines a magical Los Angeles (aptly called Shangri-L.A.) with all-too-real issues of adulthood in the ’80s. Its poetic prose is sure to dazzle teen and adult readers alike.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateOct 6, 2009
    ISBN9780061971792
    Author

    Francesca Lia Block

    Francesca Lia Block, winner of the prestigious Margaret A. Edwards Award, is the author of many acclaimed and bestselling books, including Weetzie Bat; the book collections Dangerous Angels: The Weetzie Bat Books and Roses and Bones: Myths, Tales, and Secrets; the illustrated novella House of Dolls; the vampire romance novel Pretty Dead; and the gothic werewolf novel The Frenzy. Her work is published around the world.

    Read more from Francesca Lia Block

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    Reviews for Weetzie Bat

    3.5/5

    784 ratings124 reviews

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 3/5
      I read this 30 years ago and did not get it. It was TOO weird for me and I didn't understand why it was getting such laudatory reviews. Now I can see the wild charm of it. It's L.A. life through sparkly rose-colored glasses, written in the innocent tone of a child with a lot of imagination. The themes are definitely mature and sometimes dark but there are no graphic passages. In the end, no matter how unconventional and diverse Weetzie and her friends are, love is what matters.
    • 5/5
      totally groovy
    • 2/5
      Didn't care for it. Interesting use of language but didn't engage me so I didn't finish it. Life is too short. Next!
    • 5/5
      what a gem.
    • 4/5
      What a pleasure to be introduced to a book I should have first read when it came out! I love YA fiction and how I missed this one I don't know, but this amazing short book that covers, the pain of not fitting in, alternate lifestyles, AIDS, childbirth, love and heartbreak in a such a
    • 4/5
      Plug into the love current. A great YA read!
    • 1/5
      I didn't get past chapter 3 or 4 in this book, but it's super short so that doesn't mean I didn't read enough to get an idea of style and story.

      I heard good things about it and that is was nonmonogamy friendly so was excited to get it. But it's just so awful. The writing is terrible. Maybe it was just a style choice of the author and it's just not the style for me, but everything about it got on my nerves.

      I couldn't figure out where it was going, the characters were annoying, and it was boring.

      I'm sorry to the author if they read this review, but I really can't fathom where all the high praise comes from. So odd.
    • 5/5
      Weetzie Bat creates her own family and home in this candy-punk urban fairy tale. Peppered with real and faux pop-culture references, Weetzie's world is in over-bright technicolor, and you will either love its fancy or hate it. Personally, the rhythm of the language and the unexpected bits of description outweigh the book's faults. The high school where Weetzie meets Dirk disappears as soon as it's convenient, and the gang's movie careers strain all but the most completely suspended sense of reality. But the point of the book is not to be realistic; it shows that we create our own reality, our own lives, our own destinies.

      Although there is sex, and drugs, and references to AIDS in the gay community, the atmosphere of magical realism reduces the grittiness to a PG-13 level.
    • 5/5
      A beautiful fairy-tale vision of L.A. life in the 80's.
    • 5/5
      strange and beautiful; a surreal love letter to Los Angeles from the heart of a unique soul..this was one of my very favorite books as an alienated teenager, and still is, 20 years later... a very unique voyage into a very interesting world that isn't entirely fictional. Recommended for all you weirdos not unlike myself, who are looking for something different and written with heart and flourish.
    • 5/5
      The weetzie books are smartly written with a young la younger . Francesca writes with a poetic touch of fantasy so close to a realistic world . She is amazing . Lyrical . Imagination punching author ....
    • 4/5
      nice
    • 4/5
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    • 5/5
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    • 2/5
      good
    • 3/5
      nth
    • 3/5
      I didn't like this book as much as I was expecting to. I appreciate the way the prose flows and the weird metaphors and the magical realism. But everything just happened SO FAST. Weetzie and Dirk are in high school at the beginning, right? How old are they at the end? When did they stop going to school? Did they graduate or what? The timeframe is so vague and years pass in a matter of pages. It's not necessarily a bad way to write a book, just not really to my taste.
    • 3/5
      VOYA Ratings: 3Q, 3PWeetzie Bat is a strange and dream-like world where "love is a dangerous angel" and wishes comes true, mostly anyway. Addressing issues of sexuality and coming of age struggles, Block creates a unique and vivid scene that is beautiful and alien, yet very personal. Weetzie and Dirk are two young kids that simply do not fit in with most of the world around them yet them come to forge their own version of a happy existence amid the palm trees and sunshine of California.At times, this book accurately captures the struggles and scenes for young adults as they make the pilgrimage from adolescence into adulthood while taking occasional forays into a surreal and upside down world. From witch babies, magic curses, and wish granting genies that tell it like it is, this book is a unique creation that is certainly worth the time.
    • 4/5
      Reading Weetzie Bat felt like immersing oneself in someone else's daydream. There was an ethereal quality to the writing that made situation that might have been conflicting and traumatic easy and light. While I do understand that this would appeal to the YA genre and I enjoyed the story greatly I found myself desperate for more of a reaction. After all YA fiction often shapes the way teens view the world and there were never consequences. For instance, when Weetzie magically decides to have a baby and it's as though it all happens on a cloud while angels feed her marshmallows I cringed to myself and wondered if perhaps this is the reality that has brought about the reality in which teens think to themselves having a baby is so easy and just so LOVELY. There are moments in the book that were so beautifully written that I just smiled and let them linger in my mind. Overall I truly enjoyed the book as it is truly beautifully written and has such a unique perspective. However, it's much like a fairy tale. Realism is not the order of the day, and is not to be expect or found within this lovely book.
    • 3/5
      I was not a huge fan of this book. I'd give it a Q3 because it was an easy, quick read, easy to understand. However I felt like the story line was a little disjointed and it didn't really develop the characters that much. It was just kind of dreamy and disorienting, which may very well have been what the author was going for.I would think this book would have a popularity rating of P2 because at this point, the material is kind of dated and there are a lot of books available that deal with this subject matter in a more interesting way.
    • 2/5
      The VOYA popularity rating I assigned this book is 2P, or 'for the YA reader with a special interest in the subject.' I believe its quality is 3Q, 'readable, without serious defects. I found the novel to be fairly enjoyable and it was certainly an easy, brief read. I do not believe that it would have a mass appeal with youth audiences however, even if they were pushed into reading it. For teens who enjoy magical realism or quirky female protagonists this could be a great read. However, the magical realism may be a drawback for some teens. I found myself having a hard time connecting with the protagonist Weetzie because of the surreal quality of the novel. At an age where they are searching for concrete answers about life, the abstract, overly simplified style of the narrative may be dissatisfying. I felt the treatment of teen pregnancy in the novel was also overly casual and idealized.
    • 3/5
      5Q 4PI liked the whimsical quirkiness of the novel (it often poked fun at itself) and enjoyed how each chapter felt like its own short story--it was complete, had tension, and involved a theme. The style of the prose was both engaging and rapid. It felt like dancing to an unfamiliar song and in an unfamiliar style complete with embarrassing trips, confused fumbling, and awkward rhythm. However, the quirkiness of the story, while charming at moments, can at times be overwhelming and alienating. Scenes in the story where important, life-changing events occur are treated in a shallow rush as if the author is eager to get to the next scene, and Weetzie shrugs off the minor hiccup of trauma with elaborate jazz hands. Nevertheless, Weetzie Bat appeals to readers looking for something different, a lifestyle and character both unique and whimsical with a wise and insightful take on life. A good read for those able to get past its surreal oddness to the gem of life lessons buried within.
    • 4/5
      4Q 3PThis book took me by surprise. I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting when I started reading it, but it wasn't what I got, and that wasn't even remotely a bad thing. I found the book to be engaging, magical, and surprisingly poignant. For a girl with whom I have little in common, (lives in LA, is outgoing, totally different life style) I really identified with Weetzie, which is a testimony to how well her growth as a young woman was written. Some things, I guess, are just universal. The book made me nostalgic for a place I have never been, and I cannot speak highly enough of it for that. My only complaint would be that the genie seemed out of place and broke some of my ability to remain immersed in the story.
    • 5/5
      5Q, 4P (my VOYA codes) A real day modern genie in sunny LA! But beware, all wishes come with a twist. Weetzie Bat and other characters in this novel are easily lovable and relatable. Teens will be able to relate to the feelings of love, grief, and friendships. Some subjects, however, are very mature and may be needed to be talked about with teens age 12-14.
    • 4/5
      4Q 4P (my VOYA codes). This brightly-painted view of Los Angeles through the eyes of a teenage girl and her friends that become her family reels you in with their earnest love for each other. This exploration of unconventional family systems and sexuality is an important one. This cast of characters created their own family and in the end it worked out for them. Weetzie Bat also touches on the AIDS epidemic, which is an important subject that rarely is shown in YA literature. All in all this book is a fantasy colored, glittering tale of fiction set in a magical Los Angeles with some heavy and important topics.
    • 4/5
      4Q, 3PWeetzie Bat is a coming of age story that requires a suspension of disbelief. Weetzie Bat is a young woman who triumphs among life's challenges with the help of her best friend Dirk, her courage to love and three wishes granted to her by a magical genie. Written and taking place in the early eighties, the story follows Weetzie Bat through the last of her high school days and into early adult hood. With divorced and dis-engaged parents, a penchant for the unusual, magical and creative, Weetzie and Dirk forge a friendship and ultimately a unique and shared life. Francesa Lia Block gracefully and magically weaves real life issues such as sex, sexual identity, death and AIDS with a lightness and magic that introduces these heavy real life topics. For young adults, I think this book still has the power to bring such topics to a place of realness and open them up for thought and discussion.
    • 3/5
      4Q 3P (my VOYA codes) Much of Weetzie Bat felt like a modern fairy tale: it wasn't very long, the characters had fanciful names (Duck, Dirk, My Secret Agent Lover Man, etc.), and there was a sense that reality isn't what it seems like. On the other hand, several aspects felt like satire of the traditional fairy tale. While the characters seem one-dimensional, there are moments when they show that they're human. Also, none of the conflicts in this story seem to have simple resolutions. Because of this, I'd identify it as a modern fairy tale.The characters were well-developed and it was always clear what they're motivations were. Also, the spontaneous conflicts were effectively written. There's a scene where Weetzie Bat is given a lamp and a genie comes out. This scene would normally be out of place in realistic fiction, but was written well enough to be seamless. I would have liked some more description about location since I've personally never been in LA. I would have also preferred the writing to be clearer, but I can see how the text would lose its spontaneity element.Defining young adults as people ages 12-18, this is probably aimed for the 15-18 crowd due to the general vagueness of the text.
    • 3/5
      Yes, it's twee, and frantic--and yet, oddly charming. Refreshingly LGBTQ-friendly, and it receives extra points from me for that.
    • 5/5
      5Q 4PWeetzie Bat takes readers on the ride of their lives with this story filled with coming of age issues infused with sprinkles of magic including genies and witches. Weetzie and her friends are discovering themselves, each other, and the world around them. Block's beautiful use of language says so much with so few words that touches readers as they connect with each character. Readers can easily relate to characters with their own experiences with reassurance that there are others out there dealing with these same issues and feelings.
    • 4/5
      Weetzie Bat addresses the realities of growing up through the eyes of carefree Weetzie Bat. The book is magical; Weetzie seems to go from teen to adult, but her age is never addressed. Cherokee is somehow the embodiment of all 4 of her parents, and infidelity is forgiven so that love may win out. Weetzie does experience tragedy, but handles it in stride. I believe this book appeals to teen readers because Weetzie lives life with almost no consequences, though her actions are sometimes questionable at best. Block surrounds Weetzie with adult realities of divorce, death, and disease, but does not let Weetzie fall into these traps. She shows her readers it is possible to overcome anything when you truly love someone.Official ratings: 3Q, 4P

    Book preview

    Weetzie Bat - Francesca Lia Block

    Weetzie and Dirk

    The reason Weetzie Bat hated high school was because no one understood. They didn’t even realize where they were living. They didn’t care that Marilyn’s prints were practically in their backyard at Graumann’s; that you could buy tomahawks and plastic palm tree wallets at Farmer’s Market, and the wildest, cheapest cheese and bean and hot dog and pastrami burritos at Oki Dogs; that the waitresses wore skates at the Jetson-style Tiny Naylor’s; that there was a fountain that turned tropical soda-pop colors, and a canyon where Jim Morrison and Houdini used to live, and all-night potato knishes at Canter’s, and not too far away was Venice, with columns, and canals, even, like the real Venice but maybe cooler because of the surfers. There was no one who cared. Until Dirk.

    Dirk was the best-looking guy at school. He wore his hair in a shoe-polish-black Mohawk and he drove a red ’55 Pontiac. All the girls were infatuated with Dirk; he wouldn’t pay any attention to them. But on the first day of the semester, Dirk saw Weetzie in his art class. She was a skinny girl with a bleach-blonde flat-top. Under the pink Harlequin sunglasses, strawberry lipstick, earrings dangling charms, and sugar-frosted eye shadow she was really almost beautiful. Sometimes she wore Levi’s with white-suede fringe sewn down the legs and a feathered Indian headdress, sometimes old fifties’ taffeta dresses covered with poetry written in glitter, or dresses made of kids’ sheets printed with pink piglets or Disney characters.

    That’s a great outfit, Dirk said. Weetzie was wearing her feathered headdress and her moccasins and a pink fringed mini dress.

    Thanks. I made it, she said, snapping her strawberry bubble gum. I’m into Indians, she said. They were here first and we treated them like shit.

    Yeah, Dirk said, touching his Mohawk. He smiled. "You want to go to a movie tonight? There’s a Jayne Mansfield film festival. The Girl Can’t Help It."

    Oh, I love that movie! Weetzie said in her scratchiest voice.

    Weetzie and Dirk saw The Girl Can’t Help It, and Weetzie practiced walking like Jayne Mansfield and making siren noises all the way to the car.

    This really is the most slinkster-cool car I have ever seen! she said.

    His name’s Jerry, Dirk said, beaming. Because he reminds me of Jerry Lewis. I think Jerry likes you. Let’s go out in him again.

    Weetzie and Dirk went to shows at the Starwood, the Whiskey, the Vex, and Cathay de Grande. They drank beers or bright-colored canned Club drinks in Jerry and told each other how cool they were. Then they went into the clubs dressed to kill in sunglasses and leather, jewels and skeletons, rosaries and fur and silver. They held on like waltzers and plunged in slamming around the pit below the stage. Weetzie spat on any skinhead who was too rough, but she always got away with it by batting her eyelashes and blowing a bubble with her gum. Sometimes Dirk dove offstage into the crowd. Weetzie hated that, but of course everyone always caught him because, with his black leather and Mohawk and armloads of chain and his dark-smudged eyes, Dirk was the coolest. After the shows, sweaty and shaky, they went to Oki Dogs for a burrito.

    In the daytime, they went to matinees on Hollywood Boulevard, had strawberry sundaes with marshmallow topping at Schwab’s, or went to the beach. Dirk taught Weetzie to surf. It was her lifelong dream to surf—along with playing the drums in front of a stadium of adoring fans while wearing gorgeous pajamas. Dirk and Weetzie got tan and ate cheese-and-avocado sandwiches on whole-wheat bread and slept on the beach. Sometimes they skated on the boardwalk. Slinkster Dog went with them wherever they went.

    When they were tired or needed comforting, Dirk and Weetzie and Slinkster Dog went to Dirk’s Grandma Fifi’s cottage, where Dirk had lived since his parents died. Grandma Fifi was a sweet, powdery old lady who baked tiny, white, sugarcoated pastries for them, played them tunes on a music box with a little dancing monkey on top, had two canaries she sang to, and had hair Weetzie envied—perfect white hair that sometimes had lovely blue or pink tints. Grandma Fifi had Dirk and Weetzie bring her groceries, show her their new clothes, and answer the same questions over and over again. They felt very safe and close in Fifi’s cottage.

    You’re my best friend in the whole world, Dirk said to Weetzie one night. They were sitting in Jerry drinking Club

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