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nimrodiel's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this up from the free books box at the used book store on my way to the train after work along with another book in the series.
I started reading this as I had finished my book earlier in the day. I was blown away by the poetic nature of the story. I have ordered the missing books in the Weetzie Bat books collection and am looking forwards to reading them.
jessferg's review against another edition
3.0
Once again I find myself struggling with the finer points of what is, essentially, a really beautiful book. The imagery is just delicious and the overall message is right on.
But....
The main character's "solution" to finding himself is magic. Not like he learns to be a magician, but an actual magic lamp that shows him things to help him figure himself out. That won't work for the rest of us. If the book wasn't so rooted in the "real world" until that point, I think it would be easier for the reader to take. I am reminded of Alice Hoffman but where Hoffman preps you ahead of time, Block doesn't lay the groundwork for moving into magical realism as deeply as she does.
It's also a little disheartening that as one of the first widely published books for YAs with a gay character and a driving theme that there are no realistic takes on how to come out, come to grips yourself, and be comfortable with who you are.
I was also confused by the tales that lead Dirk to his wholeness. All of them are stories of heterosexuals with identity issues one would not equate to sexuality. The last story is about a young gay man but it is (in this book) someone Dirk doesn't know or identify with in any way.
This is a better read in along with the rest of the Weetzie Bat series as a pre-quel that gives Dirk's story, but as a stand alone touted as the "fearless YA book with a gay theme" it doesn't work.
But....
The main character's "solution" to finding himself is magic. Not like he learns to be a magician, but an actual magic lamp that shows him things to help him figure himself out. That won't work for the rest of us. If the book wasn't so rooted in the "real world" until that point, I think it would be easier for the reader to take. I am reminded of Alice Hoffman but where Hoffman preps you ahead of time, Block doesn't lay the groundwork for moving into magical realism as deeply as she does.
It's also a little disheartening that as one of the first widely published books for YAs with a gay character and a driving theme that there are no realistic takes on how to come out, come to grips yourself, and be comfortable with who you are.
I was also confused by the tales that lead Dirk to his wholeness. All of them are stories of heterosexuals with identity issues one would not equate to sexuality. The last story is about a young gay man but it is (in this book) someone Dirk doesn't know or identify with in any way.
This is a better read in along with the rest of the Weetzie Bat series as a pre-quel that gives Dirk's story, but as a stand alone touted as the "fearless YA book with a gay theme" it doesn't work.
heypretty52's review
4.0
an odd conclusion to the original series, but wonderfully written, just the same
rrrrj's review
4.0
I was wary of the two-part format, but ended up loving it. Same stunning emotional clarity and issues with cultural appropriation as the other Dangerous Angel books.
angelasunshine's review
2.0
Strange story (stories?)
I liked Dirk's storyline but the whole genie thing just seemed to get more convoluted and I couldn't tell what was going on, and not in a good way.
I liked Dirk's storyline but the whole genie thing just seemed to get more convoluted and I couldn't tell what was going on, and not in a good way.
katebrarian's review
3.0
I vaguely remember reading [b:Weetzie Bat|44353|Weetzie Bat (Weetzie Bat, #1)|Francesca Lia Block|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1392416825s/44353.jpg|946181] when I was in high school...I especially remember one of my friends thinking it was one of the greatest books ever written and I more or less agreed, but I remember absolutely nothing of it now. I don't even think I have it marked as read on GR!
This book stands alone though, which is good because I don't remember anything about Dirk. I'll probably pick up Weetzie Bat again, because I like Block's style of writing. It's like if an optimistic hippie designed the world while high, and you were listening to them describe while also being high. Everything is twee and zen and smells of patchouli. All of the main characters are pretty and well-meaning and have absolutely fabulous names. I wouldn't necessarily want to live there...I'm glad the book was short because it is rather precious. It was the perfect length to live in Block's cutesy world.
And of course I love a story about a gay kid.
This book stands alone though, which is good because I don't remember anything about Dirk. I'll probably pick up Weetzie Bat again, because I like Block's style of writing. It's like if an optimistic hippie designed the world while high, and you were listening to them describe while also being high. Everything is twee and zen and smells of patchouli. All of the main characters are pretty and well-meaning and have absolutely fabulous names. I wouldn't necessarily want to live there...I'm glad the book was short because it is rather precious. It was the perfect length to live in Block's cutesy world.
And of course I love a story about a gay kid.
kimberlybea's review
5.0
Please note: this book appears to be unavailable as a standalone version. However, it has been collected with all the Weetzie Bat books in Block'sDangerous Angels, which is still in print.
"Our stories can set us free, Dirk thought. When we set them free."
Dirk McDonald has a secret, a dark secret that he thinks will destroy him if he tells the world. Yet others can sense what he's trying to hide, and one night their hatred erupts into violence, leaving Dirk brutally beaten and taking him on a magical journey into the stories of his family's past.
Baby Be-Bop is a work of magical realism and a coming out story, written in poetic and descriptive language. It's actually the prequel to the rest of the Weetzie Bat series, showing us how Weetzie's best friend Dirk comes to terms with his sexuality before the two of them meet. Dirk is a sensitive soul who turns to punk rock because he thinks it will give him strength to stand against the homophobes and against his own fears. However, the punk rock scene leads to his encounter with the skinheads who ultimately beat him to a pulp. This scene is brutal, but not graphic, and is essential both in fulfilling Dirk's worst fears and showing that he can survive them, and in introducing to his family's stories. By learning about his past, Dirk learns not to fear his future, and that everybody has a story to tell.
"Our stories can set us free, Dirk thought. When we set them free."
Dirk McDonald has a secret, a dark secret that he thinks will destroy him if he tells the world. Yet others can sense what he's trying to hide, and one night their hatred erupts into violence, leaving Dirk brutally beaten and taking him on a magical journey into the stories of his family's past.
Baby Be-Bop is a work of magical realism and a coming out story, written in poetic and descriptive language. It's actually the prequel to the rest of the Weetzie Bat series, showing us how Weetzie's best friend Dirk comes to terms with his sexuality before the two of them meet. Dirk is a sensitive soul who turns to punk rock because he thinks it will give him strength to stand against the homophobes and against his own fears. However, the punk rock scene leads to his encounter with the skinheads who ultimately beat him to a pulp. This scene is brutal, but not graphic, and is essential both in fulfilling Dirk's worst fears and showing that he can survive them, and in introducing to his family's stories. By learning about his past, Dirk learns not to fear his future, and that everybody has a story to tell.