2019 Reread: This is one of my most read books, and every time I return to it I get more from the story. It's amazing that this book was written over 20 years ago, but deals with so many topics that people praise today in YA literature. Somehow, I was reading these diverse books growing up without realizing how much they were shaping me as a person. Perhaps this story helped me become a better ally from the start. Trigger warnings for most things are in this book. ___________________I Was a Teen...

I have a soft spot for FLB's book for some reason, so my reviews of her are probably not always the most objective. I just love her writing style and magical realism. But I *really* loved this book. It was so sad and yet hopeful in the end. The way Mab cared for Barbie, even if she was mean at times, and the way she helped other children who'd been abused was very well done. I like the idea that all kids who need one have a Mab of their own to help them grow into functional adults. It was sad bu...

This book was fustrating until the end, then it became slightly less fustrating. I enjoyed the concept of Mab and was disappointed that she was merely a coping mechanism. When I think of Mab, I think of Queen of the Fairies, not a little minor fairy that hangs out in a doll house. I was also upset with the way Barbie and Griffin's emotions were written. It just seemed to skim the surface of their anger, confusion, and numbness. That kind of situation would leave a lot more emotional residue than...

First book I read by Francesca Lia Block and I fell in love. I was 13 at the time and had never read anything like Block's book. Long before Speak or The Perks of Being a Wallflower came out, Francesca Lia Block was writing about topics that few young adult authors dared to tread. While now it is more commonplace for young adult books to deal with heavy topics such rape, sexual abuse, drug use, and dysfunctional families, when Block was first doing it, she was alone. She was also banned in many

Well, this was . . .Okay, it had all the elements for a fascinating story. But there's just something about Block's writing style and story elements that leave me with a weird, spinning sensation in my head. Like reading her books gets me a high I absolutely DO NOT WANT (like I'd ever want to be high in the first place; caffeine gives me the only rush I want/need/enjoy) and wondering why I ever thought this would be worth the time it took for me to read it.Seriously. I appreciated the idea behin...

THE FAERYS VIEWI read this story on a whim as I'm a lover of all things Fey. To say it wasn't what I expected is an understatement! Ms. Block takes a serious look at a sensitive issue-child molestation and throws a few other wrenches in as well.Barbie, a child model molested by a photographer at age 11 discovers she has the ability to see Mab, a small fairy that only appears to her. Barbie develops a relationship with Griffin at age 16, both sharing the same experience with the same photographer...

transports you to a new world of faeries, bubble gum and happy-ever-afters in teeny bopper LA. one of those books that leaves you different than before.

Wasn't one of my favourite Block books, but it was lovely.

More like 3.5. I'm a sucker for an L.A. setting, that's for sure. Would've liked to give it another half star but had a problem with the end. But wanting a realistic ending on a book with a fairy is a bit unreasonable, I guess. ;-)

I almost had the material for a real review but I think I just lost steam so anyways here's thisFull disclosure, if I hadn't read this as a kid, and this was the first time, I would'a forgotten it instantly. That stuff about there being better times to read things or times that things will impact you more applies so much to this. It was the first time I really ever saw writing like this, what with the style, magical realism, and [gasps] sex. (but mostly the style, which obviously made a huge imp...

This book is about a young girl named Barbie blessed (or cursed) with beauty and forced into modeling by her controlling mom (an ex-model herself, living vicariously through her child). When she's 11 she meets Mab, a sarcastic fairy, who almost reluctantly becomes Barbie's friend. During this same time she's molested by a lecherous photographer. Her mother tells her not to cry, that life is full of problems and she had just better learn to deal with them.Fast forward 5 years and Barbie's a rail

Mab was funny I will admit, but the writting was trashy to me. The book was essentially pointless with random sex scenes, it was lik porn hidden behind a fairytale title. I read this book and was going to get rid of it. However, I felt that passing on this trashy story with immature writing technique would be inflicting torturous stupidity on others. So, thinking of the well being of mankind (and lets not forget the children) I threw this exactly where it belonged...in a dumpster.

Nowhere near as good as Echo. WHY DO I OWN THIS ONE AND NOT THAT? I want to re-read Echo, dammit!Sometimes I think Lia Block's words can never be translated into movies and pictures; other times, I can't help but wonder at the factor by which her book's awesomeness would be increased were it made into a movie with music and whispers and fast breaths.

this is one of the most beautiful things i have ever read. it makes me cry every time. its like it leaves you feeling desperate and sad but in a way where everything will be okay.

this reminds me of the song Lullaby by Shawn Mullins. it has stuck in my mind for years now. it's the kind of book you don't forget

This was really different. The closest I can think it coming to is Judy Blume with a talking Fairy and more sinister overtones.

This book changed my life. I am the person I am today because of this book, and all of Francesca Lia Block's books.

Excellent book! Does need a trigger warning for themes of childhood trauma/assault though. I suggest parents, educators, and counselors remain open to talking about this book with their children to help them understand and process some of the heavy content.I first read this book when I was 11 years old. I have fond memories of it. It was one of my all time favorites as a youth! Now 23 years latter I felt I needed to revisit this book. It moved me in a whole new way, because I picked up on some o...

What a fantastic book! Written about trauma and it's effects on survivors, this was definitely an intense read. However, it did bring tenderness and compassion about the subject, and a sense of hope as well for the characters (and readers).

This one wasn't for me. I can absolutely see where it might help people through certain types of trauma, particularly sexual trauma. But having picked it up for a quick fantasy read, it was not what I was looking for, and I don't think it really ever will be.

Child me: 3 starsAdult me: 3 stars*For the first book in a "child/teen/middlegrade/nostalgic" book, I am going with the rating younger me would have gone with, then if I read on in the series, I will rate the books what adult me believes it should be rated. If the book is a stand alone, I will go with whatever rating I feel most comfortable giving the book. Please note, I do not really think books should have an age limit. People should read what they want to regardless of the intended age group...

I have read this book five times. Five wonderful, fantastical, intoxicating times. It is the story of a girl in her early teens named Barbie, who longs to be as different as possible from the plastic doll that she is named after. It is the story about Griffin - a boy so androgenously beautiful that boys and girls alike fall in love with him. And, of course, it is the story of Mab - a punky pinkie-sized fairy that helps Barbie learn to stand up for herself in a world full of abuse and sadness. Ba...

Summary: Barbie has not lived up to her fellow doll's name or her mother's expectations as a model. She is thrown into the career by the crocodile at a very young age. She is left with a photographer where you are left to assume what happens behind the closed door... It skips to Barbie being 16 and effed up. She is now the most famous model out there but basically drifts through the days in her mind. Barbie likely would not have survived childhood and beyond if it was not for Mab, a tiny and fie...

Barbie's mother is obsessed with the need for her daughter to have the modeling career that she always wanted. Her mother pushes her so hard that Barbie loses touch with others and awful things happen to her. Barbie's only friend is a fairy named Mab who visits when things get rough. But what is Mab really? Barbie is unsure if Mab is real or if Mab is an imaginary friend but she doesn't care as long as they're together. This book was interesting because it was unclear how Mab was to be interpret...

I'm on a Francesca Lia Block kick and rapidly coming to the conclusion that anything she writes is worth reading for the writing alone.This is a good story and everything--surprise!--turns out fine. I'm still not convinced that being a beautiful butterfly pinned to the corkboard of life is the cruelest fate that can visit a teenage girl, and I'm still not convinced this subject hasn't been done to death, maybe because I was a teenage changeling and have difficulty relating. And I'm really not su...

I read this several years ago and just barely remember it. I do remember thinking that Francesca Lia Blockhas the ability to perfectly attune to the sentiments of your average teenager. The main character feels put-upon by the world and the struggles she's had to face so Mab (real or imagined) is there to spar with her and encourage her when there is no one else she feels she can trust.And come on, what teenage girl didn't wish at some point that there was a special fairy or guardian angel to ke...

This little novel reminded me of why I love Francesca Lia Block. It's pretty, short, and full of Los Angeles imagery that I can only get through Block and Janet Fitch. I love how Block's novels always read like children's fantasy stories but are really about things that affect teenagers all over the world- beauty standards, sexuality crises, and being molested as a child, to name a few.I loved how this book was the perfect mix of sweet and sour and how everyone got a happy ending.

I read this in the summer once when I was in either middle school or high school. I really liked this book. It was really different than anything I had ever read, and it really kind of sparked my imagination. The fairy world has never been something I was ever really interested in, but this book for some reason, intrigued me. I loved it when I read it. I probably might revisit it one day just because.

This is a beautifully written novel about trauma and the coping mechanisms kids can develop. I liked it when I was a teenager and I still think it's lovely.

This story was beautiful! It made me cry, it was sad and full of hope at the same time. I highly recommended it!