Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #287569 in Books
• Published on: 2001-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Customer Reviews

Not the stories your mother told you at bedtime!
Author, Neil Gaiman, once said that we are unable to re-experience the fairy stories told (or read) to us in our childhood. I think this is true, but what Block has done is re-invent the stories and made them once again new to adult eyes. Block is not a widely recognized author in the UK and I have to wonder why, because this book is full of insight and universal truths, qualities which make for good stories. In Block's book a character named Snow is raised by men who are short by the world's standard and are labeled as freaks. This is the harsh reality of the world mixed with what we think of as fantasy. In The Rose and the Beast you will meet; Snow, Tiny, Glass, Charm, Wolf, Rose, Bones, Beast, and Ice. These stories are fantastic re-tellings of stories that you may instantly remember and some that you might have to think about. Rose White and Rose Red realize that sometimes we have to let go. These are fairy tales set in urban landscapes and the characters in the stories learn something. They are not just passive observors on the way to Wonderland. Compared to Block's other books this is the best I have read since The Hanged Man or Girl Goddess Number Nine. Perhaps, it is the subject matter that is so interesting, because Block's writing is always so unique and appeals to all senses: touch, taste, smell, sight, and sound. This book will not only appeal to young adults but older young adults (I'm 23) and adults and anyone who loves fairy stories or loves this world that is often stranger than fiction. It is too bad that this American author is virtually unrecognized in this country. She has been published around the world, and there is a reason for that.

boring
I was hoping for a really good book, and instead I got a wierd boring lifeless one, I could barely finish it!!!! Francesca Lia Block is a very talented writer and I have read many of her previous books but this one was terrible!!!!!! I coudln't get into any of the stories!!!!!