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goodem9199's review against another edition
5.0
Francesca Lia Block is one of those writers that makes me fall in love with writing. It isn't even so much about the story, as it is about the actual words she strings together. This is a collection of strange and beautiful stories with lines like "a palm tree was wearing a dress of ivy"; it has a character named "Fleurette", who I instead of the diner waitress I imagined her to be, lives in a home with a haunted doll house. Then there is the story of the girl who falls in love with a tattoo artist, and suddenly begins to develop intricate tattoos all over her body. Just dreamy, lyrical, amazing writing.
beachybooksok's review against another edition
1.0
3 years later and just now sharing some thoughts about this book... it was a pointless collection of stories. I read someone else’s review saying they were losing their mind and I agree. I think it skipped the last story and some chunks because certain passages were inappropriate. Overall, don’t read this.
glitterkitter's review against another edition
4.0
Some simple and short, but beautifully written short stories.
inthelunaseas's review against another edition
3.0
Blood Roses - 3/5
Two sisters are confronted by a man in a music store that leads to their demise. At least I think that's what happens- it certainly appears to be.
I read the end of this story twice, to try and garner the meaning. It also appears that their favourite singer, Solo, may not have committed suicide, but instead was stabbed to death.
I magical story, albeit confusing.
Giant - 2.5/5
The first of a series of four connected stories, that are each stand alone in their own way. A girl is kissed by the boy she loves (who, of course, is in love with someone else) and transforms into a giant. She is meant to represent all us young women whose feelings are not reciprocated.
A nice story, but not my favourite.
My Haunted House - 2/5
A young girl's dollhouse is haunted by death incarnate. It's implied, I think, she develops an overeating disorder. Not exactly my favourite in this book.
My Boyfriend is an Alien - 2.5/5
A girl believes her boyfriend to be an alien.
She does say she's schizophrenic, and I think this whole story takes place as part of her unfortunate schizophrenic delusions. Her boyfriend is probably just a mere Homo Sapien and she's gone and placed this whole backstory in his head.
An interesting story, and could be developed further.
Horses Are a Girl's Best Friend - 5/5
Related to Giant.
My favourite story in this whole collection. I read it three times in a row- first time I didn't get it until towards the end, second time with the new meaning, third time to get the whole idea. It's so beautiful, and very subtle. A girl falls in love with a centaur. This could be a whole novel on its own.
So, so beautiful.
Skin Art - 2/5
Related to Giant.
A lot of people have said this is their favourite, but I just didn't enjoy it that much. I guess it's the wordplay that's meant to be so wonderful? I just didn't enjoy it.
A girl gets a bunch of magical tattoos that eventually disappear as her feelings for the tattooist fade away. Blatant imagery.
My Mother the Vampire - 3.5/5
Related to Giant.
I admittedly don't get this story. I like the imagery it presents, and I like the idea, but I don't 'get' it. I think if I did I'd rate it higher.
Wounds and Wings - 1.5/5
My least favourite story in the collection. Girl finds a fallen angel, they share mutual feelings, she keeps him in her bedroom. She becomes a drug addict.
Changelings - 2/5
Another case of schizophrenia gone rife.
A boy's father and girlfriend die shortly after one another. His mother sinks into a deep depression and so instead of helping her through it, he escapes into a fantasy world. Then he goes crazy. Might be related to My Boyfriend Is An Alien.
Two sisters are confronted by a man in a music store that leads to their demise. At least I think that's what happens- it certainly appears to be.
I read the end of this story twice, to try and garner the meaning. It also appears that their favourite singer, Solo, may not have committed suicide, but instead was stabbed to death.
I magical story, albeit confusing.
Giant - 2.5/5
The first of a series of four connected stories, that are each stand alone in their own way. A girl is kissed by the boy she loves (who, of course, is in love with someone else) and transforms into a giant. She is meant to represent all us young women whose feelings are not reciprocated.
A nice story, but not my favourite.
My Haunted House - 2/5
A young girl's dollhouse is haunted by death incarnate. It's implied, I think, she develops an overeating disorder. Not exactly my favourite in this book.
My Boyfriend is an Alien - 2.5/5
A girl believes her boyfriend to be an alien.
She does say she's schizophrenic, and I think this whole story takes place as part of her unfortunate schizophrenic delusions. Her boyfriend is probably just a mere Homo Sapien and she's gone and placed this whole backstory in his head.
An interesting story, and could be developed further.
Horses Are a Girl's Best Friend - 5/5
Related to Giant.
My favourite story in this whole collection. I read it three times in a row- first time I didn't get it until towards the end, second time with the new meaning, third time to get the whole idea. It's so beautiful, and very subtle. A girl falls in love with a centaur. This could be a whole novel on its own.
So, so beautiful.
Skin Art - 2/5
Related to Giant.
A lot of people have said this is their favourite, but I just didn't enjoy it that much. I guess it's the wordplay that's meant to be so wonderful? I just didn't enjoy it.
A girl gets a bunch of magical tattoos that eventually disappear as her feelings for the tattooist fade away. Blatant imagery.
My Mother the Vampire - 3.5/5
Related to Giant.
I admittedly don't get this story. I like the imagery it presents, and I like the idea, but I don't 'get' it. I think if I did I'd rate it higher.
Wounds and Wings - 1.5/5
My least favourite story in the collection. Girl finds a fallen angel, they share mutual feelings, she keeps him in her bedroom. She becomes a drug addict.
Changelings - 2/5
Another case of schizophrenia gone rife.
A boy's father and girlfriend die shortly after one another. His mother sinks into a deep depression and so instead of helping her through it, he escapes into a fantasy world. Then he goes crazy. Might be related to My Boyfriend Is An Alien.
lunaseassecondaccount's review against another edition
3.0
Blood Roses - 3/5
Two sisters are confronted by a man in a music store that leads to their demise. At least I think that's what happens- it certainly appears to be.
I read the end of this story twice, to try and garner the meaning. It also appears that their favourite singer, Solo, may not have committed suicide, but instead was stabbed to death.
I magical story, albeit confusing.
Giant - 2.5/5
The first of a series of four connected stories, that are each stand alone in their own way. A girl is kissed by the boy she loves (who, of course, is in love with someone else) and transforms into a giant. She is meant to represent all us young women whose feelings are not reciprocated.
A nice story, but not my favourite.
My Haunted House - 2/5
A young girl's dollhouse is haunted by death incarnate. It's implied, I think, she develops an overeating disorder. Not exactly my favourite in this book.
My Boyfriend is an Alien - 2.5/5
A girl believes her boyfriend to be an alien.
She does say she's schizophrenic, and I think this whole story takes place as part of her unfortunate schizophrenic delusions. Her boyfriend is probably just a mere Homo Sapien and she's gone and placed this whole backstory in his head.
An interesting story, and could be developed further.
Horses Are a Girl's Best Friend - 5/5
Related to Giant.
My favourite story in this whole collection. I read it three times in a row- first time I didn't get it until towards the end, second time with the new meaning, third time to get the whole idea. It's so beautiful, and very subtle. A girl falls in love with a centaur. This could be a whole novel on its own.
So, so beautiful.
Skin Art - 2/5
Related to Giant.
A lot of people have said this is their favourite, but I just didn't enjoy it that much. I guess it's the wordplay that's meant to be so wonderful? I just didn't enjoy it.
A girl gets a bunch of magical tattoos that eventually disappear as her feelings for the tattooist fade away. Blatant imagery.
My Mother the Vampire - 3.5/5
Related to Giant.
I admittedly don't get this story. I like the imagery it presents, and I like the idea, but I don't 'get' it. I think if I did I'd rate it higher.
Wounds and Wings - 1.5/5
My least favourite story in the collection. Girl finds a fallen angel, they share mutual feelings, she keeps him in her bedroom. She becomes a drug addict.
Changelings - 2/5
Another case of schizophrenia gone rife.
A boy's father and girlfriend die shortly after one another. His mother sinks into a deep depression and so instead of helping her through it, he escapes into a fantasy world. Then he goes crazy. Might be related to My Boyfriend Is An Alien.
Two sisters are confronted by a man in a music store that leads to their demise. At least I think that's what happens- it certainly appears to be.
I read the end of this story twice, to try and garner the meaning. It also appears that their favourite singer, Solo, may not have committed suicide, but instead was stabbed to death.
I magical story, albeit confusing.
Giant - 2.5/5
The first of a series of four connected stories, that are each stand alone in their own way. A girl is kissed by the boy she loves (who, of course, is in love with someone else) and transforms into a giant. She is meant to represent all us young women whose feelings are not reciprocated.
A nice story, but not my favourite.
My Haunted House - 2/5
A young girl's dollhouse is haunted by death incarnate. It's implied, I think, she develops an overeating disorder. Not exactly my favourite in this book.
My Boyfriend is an Alien - 2.5/5
A girl believes her boyfriend to be an alien.
She does say she's schizophrenic, and I think this whole story takes place as part of her unfortunate schizophrenic delusions. Her boyfriend is probably just a mere Homo Sapien and she's gone and placed this whole backstory in his head.
An interesting story, and could be developed further.
Horses Are a Girl's Best Friend - 5/5
Related to Giant.
My favourite story in this whole collection. I read it three times in a row- first time I didn't get it until towards the end, second time with the new meaning, third time to get the whole idea. It's so beautiful, and very subtle. A girl falls in love with a centaur. This could be a whole novel on its own.
So, so beautiful.
Skin Art - 2/5
Related to Giant.
A lot of people have said this is their favourite, but I just didn't enjoy it that much. I guess it's the wordplay that's meant to be so wonderful? I just didn't enjoy it.
A girl gets a bunch of magical tattoos that eventually disappear as her feelings for the tattooist fade away. Blatant imagery.
My Mother the Vampire - 3.5/5
Related to Giant.
I admittedly don't get this story. I like the imagery it presents, and I like the idea, but I don't 'get' it. I think if I did I'd rate it higher.
Wounds and Wings - 1.5/5
My least favourite story in the collection. Girl finds a fallen angel, they share mutual feelings, she keeps him in her bedroom. She becomes a drug addict.
Changelings - 2/5
Another case of schizophrenia gone rife.
A boy's father and girlfriend die shortly after one another. His mother sinks into a deep depression and so instead of helping her through it, he escapes into a fantasy world. Then he goes crazy. Might be related to My Boyfriend Is An Alien.
la_daze's review against another edition
5.0
Francesca Lia Block è una delle mie autrici preferite.
Ogni suo libro mi lascia dentro una voglia di vivere immensa, una voglia di aprire gli occhi il più possibile per catturare ogni particolare del mondo che mi circonda. Vedere ciò che lei vede e come lo vede. Spalanco gli occhi.
Blood Roses è una piccola raccolta di sentimenti, di ragazze. Comincia con la storia di due sorelle che cercano rose rosso sangue, quelle che dicono, si possano vedere soltanto se si muore. L'ambientazione è quella che chi legge la Block, già conosce.
Canyon aridi di sabbia e sete ed esplosioni di colori e fiori e vita e profumi.
Come centro, l'amore. L'amore per la musica peccaminosa di un cantante morto trafiggendosi il cuore. L'amore per un ragazzo troppo bello da far diventare il cuore grande come un'anguria. La paura per la vita e l'amore, anche. Perchè anche questo succede nella vita come nelle favole. Tra vampiri, alieni, e la Morte che siede ai piedi di un albero di Natale in miniatura.
Ogni suo libro mi lascia dentro una voglia di vivere immensa, una voglia di aprire gli occhi il più possibile per catturare ogni particolare del mondo che mi circonda. Vedere ciò che lei vede e come lo vede. Spalanco gli occhi.
Blood Roses è una piccola raccolta di sentimenti, di ragazze. Comincia con la storia di due sorelle che cercano rose rosso sangue, quelle che dicono, si possano vedere soltanto se si muore. L'ambientazione è quella che chi legge la Block, già conosce.
Canyon aridi di sabbia e sete ed esplosioni di colori e fiori e vita e profumi.
Come centro, l'amore. L'amore per la musica peccaminosa di un cantante morto trafiggendosi il cuore. L'amore per un ragazzo troppo bello da far diventare il cuore grande come un'anguria. La paura per la vita e l'amore, anche. Perchè anche questo succede nella vita come nelle favole. Tra vampiri, alieni, e la Morte che siede ai piedi di un albero di Natale in miniatura.
catienelly's review
4.0
Surreal vignettes that read like a fever dream and keep you wondering what else happens in this new dimension that you’ve been exposed to.
My favorite quote is from the second story, Giant: “What shall we do, all of us? All of us passionate girls who fear crushing the boys we love with our mouths like caverns of teeth, our mushrooming brains, our watermelon hearts?”
My favorite quote is from the second story, Giant: “What shall we do, all of us? All of us passionate girls who fear crushing the boys we love with our mouths like caverns of teeth, our mushrooming brains, our watermelon hearts?”
hellojupiter's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
I feel like the only stories in this collection that were actually understandable and moderately enjoyable to read were Skin Art and My Mother the vampire...
Maybe I'm just not seeing the image here and that's why I didn't like it, I cannot figure this out
Maybe I'm just not seeing the image here and that's why I didn't like it, I cannot figure this out
impybelle's review
2.0
I gather from skimming various reviews that those with issues concerning Blood Roses sometimes fault the darkness. I don't mind that. What I do mind is that none of the stories actually seemed like stories, short or otherwise. Most reminded me of the little blurb you write yourself as a memo to flesh them out further later. Only they got published instead. Either there's no hook to be found, or the hook happens and then the story ends abruptly.
I expected better and while there are definitely lines that will worm their way into your mind and spark all sorts of love, they cannot carry the entire book. Luckily it's a twenty minute read, so you have time to drown your disappointment in something else.
I expected better and while there are definitely lines that will worm their way into your mind and spark all sorts of love, they cannot carry the entire book. Luckily it's a twenty minute read, so you have time to drown your disappointment in something else.