Echo

This was my very first time reading a novel by Francessca Lia Block.She is not your average writer. She weaves the supernatural with magical reality. This is unlike any novel I have ever read and, I must say this book was beautiful. I enjoyed it because it made me think and kept me interested.

This is definitely like the White Oleandor for a younger generation. Just as good, but with different characters in the same situation. The ultimate search-for-self story has just surfaced in a girl named Echo.Echo, of course, is having a major case of teen angst. Her beautiful mother seems as close to perfect as you can get, and she feels as if her dad doesn't pay any attention to her. When her dad becomes really sick, she feels more isolated than she ever has. She realizes that she will never be as beautiful as her mother... or as artistic as her father, so she turns into a different person. Basement dances and her newfound green hair make her truly something else. One night, on the beach, she sees a strange and exciting boy sitting on the boarded up lifeguard station. He ends up saving her life, and Echo goes back to visit him every night. He never talks, but she likes him anyway. On one of these visits, they part ways in hopes of meeting again, where he will be ready to love her.After the first chapter, a variety of small stories intertwine that all work into Echo's life, from the meeting of her parents to the many different lovers that she has had. Sometimes, they don't even say her name, but you know it's her that the author is talking about. The writing is truly beautiful, told in spurts of prose and clear descriptions. It almost sounds science fiction, but everything is told truly with an element of poetry. During her many "adventures", Echo meets a lot of new people with their own stories and different pasts, giving you a better understanding of each person. Every story ultimately leads up to the ending, where the rest of her life lays.This book may be short and quick, but it brings out the best of this author. From a beautiful and eyecatching beginning to a beautiful and thoughtful ending, this is a story you don't want to miss out on.

A captivating storyline, this books seems almost bewitching, each line read seemingly converting plain, simple words into pure magick. Although some of the contained texts are clearly not intended for audiences beneath the age of 8, this author has still managed to capture the spirit of youth, fantasy, and innocence and project it through dynamic characters gracefully within this book.

Echo tells the story of a girl and all the people around her in a beautiful writing that is purely Block's style. Echo is a girl who is convinced that she is not very pretty and the only things she has talent in is evil. But that proves to be wrong when series of tests in love, friendship, and death face her. Through this heart-filled painful period Echo learns from her mistakes and how to look towards the future. This book tells her story.WHen I picked this up I was a little iffy about it. WHile I do enjoy Francasca Lia Block's wiritng style I either love her books, or could do with out them. THis book was not a dissapointment for me. The story is wonderful, symbolic, and poetic. I'd love to read more by Block. I reccomend this to anyone who dosen't mind strange but entertaining tales and who's a fan of Blocks writing.On another note.... Peace and prayers to all the victims of the recent plane accident. My heart is with everyone affected.

... I really *do* think it's time to get rid of the "young adult writer" label. Sure, Francesca Lia Block's stories are great for teens et al, but this gem of a novel (darker than dark and outrageously uplifting at the same time) can't get confused with the crappy titles that overflood the kiddie lit corner. I mean, Francesca's a unique author with a dazzling vision. Plus, I'm enjoying her works as a wee-begone thirtysomething (and I'm positive I'm not the only one).