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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Reader Will Feel Lost in a Misty, Symbolic Dream, July 22, 2009
For all of her 13 years, or at least for as long as she can remember, Bee (short for Beatrice) has never felt comfortable in her life, as if she doesn't really belong. She keeps to herself, and the isolation has led to loneliness and depression. She doesn't even feel she can confide in her mother, who wouldn't understand. The one place in which she does find a bit of comfort is the gardens, where she can be close to the earth and the growing plants.
One night Bee wakes up to find an exact double of herself standing in her room. The girl whispers one sentence, "You are me," and then disappears. Bee is confused, unsettled and even a bit intrigued. She goes to the one person she believes might have a clue: her strange fellow classmate, Haze, who is rumored to think he's an alien. Haze knows exactly what Bee has seen --- a doppelganger --- and it has been said that to see this is to predict one's death. Bee regrets turning to Haze at all.
But then Haze comes to her to talk, and she starts getting to know him better. She also meets another loner, Sarah, who is a bit of an outsider as well and believes herself to be the reincarnation of a slave from the 1800s. The three begin to form a special friendship, find some happiness, and feel like they do belong in their own unique way. Suddenly, though, Bee gets sick. Haze and Sarah put some clues together and figure out the mystery behind Bee's double and her illness. Their lives will never be the same.
The person responsible for this very unique and unusual book is the renowned Francesca Lia Block, the award-winning bestselling author of numerous titles. Right away I noticed Block's ability to create intensely vivid descriptions using a minimum of words and not wasting space with extraneous material. This approach, though seemingly simple, in fact creates quite intricate results. She also has a mysterious and pensive writing style, giving the reader a feeling of being lost in a misty, symbolic dream. Fans will be happy to know that Block is busy working on many more projects to entertain readers and give them plenty to think about.
--- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Poetry and Life, June 9, 2009
The Waters and the Wild by Francesca Lia Block is a telling story of life, growth and the everyday struggles of coming into your skin. Bee, a changelings, has to decide where she truly belongs: with the new found comfort and peace with her friends at school or back to her faerie world allowing the fetch, or the real human child, to take her place. Bee struggles with everyday teenage struggles but Block transforms it into a song of hope for all.
Though the story short, and the writing shorter, Block focuses metaphorically on the issues we all face today. Seamlessly she blends in the important points of our time: Global warming, 9-11, and the daily struggles of war. Though at first glance you might miss it, it is that much more powerful once we peer closer into Block's narrative. But above all it is a marvelous story about a girl, her life well lived, and the choice she makes ,which in turn transforms everyone's outlook and appreciation on life.
The story unravels poetically and slowly through the few pages like short story mixed with poems and folklore. Block focuses on Bee's narrative but like the threads in the fabric she sews in images of the times we live in; they are not easy but there is hope! You might be reading his and thinking....."HUH?" But rest assured that these few 120 some pages will leave you grateful but above all else it is a good read. A small book with a big story!
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Uh..., June 7, 2009
The Good: The writing style has a certain quality that makes you interested in reading the book and it compels you to turn the page. Also, the characters are very good.
Bee is her own person and though she might not be completely normal, she's sometimes, surprisingly relateable. Also, I adored Haze and Sarah. If I actually met them I'd probably think that they are absolutely crazy. I mean, Haze thinks that he's an alien and Sarah thinks that she's a reincarnation of a 1800's slave girl. But strangely, I really liked them and I absolutely enjoyed reading about them.
The Bad: The beginning attracts your attention, that's for sure. When I first read it, I almost put the book down. Seriously, it creeped me out a little. Maybe creeped is too strong of a word, but if if I was in a book store, I would've put it down.
Also, this book really dissapointed me. The summary looks so interesting and the cover is really pretty... but the book itself just fell flat. Another probably that I had was that it was too short! It's like I blink and the story's over, it's not worth paying 16.99 that's for sure.
Overall: Though the writing is very good, when I finished, I didn't feel satisfied or happy that I finished the book. The first thing that popped into my head after I finished was, "What the heck did I just read?"
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