Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block
Author Biography: Francesca Lia Block, recipient of the prestigious Margaret A. Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award. has been publishing novels, short stories, essays, memoirs and poetry since 1989. Her work has been translated into many languages. Ms. Block lives in Los Angeles where she teaches writing workshops that are also available online. Information retrieved from Amazon.com.
Published by: HarperTeen
ISBN: 0060736259
Genre: Fiction/Fantasy
Reading Level: Grades 10 to 12
Reader’s Annotation:
In a psychedelic world composed of a rapid-fire series of adventures where fantasy and reality take turns co-existing and violently smashing together, Weetzie is on a holy mission to find her My Secret Agent Lover Man. In a series of misadventures, some fun, some incredibly dangerous, she explores Shangri-L.A. with the help of Dirk as they look for their respective lovers. When they do find what they are looking for, however, they realize they get more than they ever expected – or ever wanted.
Plot Summary:
Weetzie lives in L.A. with her mother during a time period that is difficult to nail down. Though introverted at first, she meets Dirk whom she believes is extremely handsome – but quickly finds out that he is gay. Unfazed, the two embark on a duck hunting mission in L.A. hoping to find their perfect lovers. Weetzie dates a number of men, all to varying degrees of failure, and at one time appears to be raped by one of them. Dirk fares no better, also becoming involved with several unsuccessful and rather quick relationships.
Their lives take a sudden twist when Dirk’s grandmother presents Weetzie with a magic lamp, capable of summoning a genie to grant three wishes. Weetzie heedlessly wishes for her My Secret Agent Lover Man, a boyfriend for Dirk, and a home where they can live happily-ever-after. The genie grants each wish, but with a dark warning that all may not be what it seems.
Weetzie does meet her My Secret Agent Lover man who – appropriately enough – is named My Secret Agent Lover Man while Dirk meets Duck, the Duck he has been hunting with Weetzie for since they met.
The genie’s foreshadowing comes true as Weetzie learns the house they will live in is Dirk’s grandmother’s – who promptly died after the wish was made and left the house to the duo in her will. While they push through their sorrow to enjoy life with their new lovers, Weetzie develops a strong desire for a baby, which My Secret Agent Lover Man wants no part of for fear of bringing a new child into a violent world. A plan is devised for Dirk and Duck to take turns trying to make Weetzie pregnant, thus making it impossible to tell whose child it is. They believe that if Weetzie does get pregnant, My Secret Agent Lover Man will be willing to raise it. The exact opposite is true, however, and My Secret Agent Lover man feels betrayed by the plot and leaves Weetzie. Though he later returns, his past comes to haunt him as the group learns he had a child with another woman – who also happens to be a witch. Even more bad news develops as Dirk’s lover’s friend seems to be dying, throwing everyone’s life into further disarray. How the group will overcome these obstacles, and others looming on the horizon, is anyone’s guess.
Critical Evaluation:
Weetzie Bat is definitely a stratifying book. The events of the book happen one after the other in only a matter of a few pages, and can be extremely disorienting. The descriptions can also be difficult to follow, often barraging the reader with groups of disconnected events, locations, colors, sounds, scents, and sights that you would expect from a high speed car ride. Despite this sensory rush, Block applies the most important plot developments with a hammer – Dirk is Gay. Weetzie wants a baby. Dirk’s grandmother is dead and Weetzie is at fault. Unlike the confusion and lack of firm detail of the world around the characters, the most important plot points are typically spelled out without any need for interpretation. Weetzie Bat is notable for including elements such as blended families, AIDS, homosexuality, and abortion. Though none of these topics are developed fully or delved into at any length, the book is impressive for adding so many alternative issues and making them a part of the characters without seeming like an attempt at being gritty for shock-value’s sake.
For some readers, the frenetic pace of the book may result in a sensory overload. For other readers looking for something different, Weetzie Bat provides a unique experience unlikely to be found in any other book
Curriculum Ties:
Challenge Issues:
Defensive Maneuvers:
Book Talk Ideas:
Many of you are probably familiar with the genie from Aladdin, but were you aware that they're pretty hateful creatures that try to turn your wishes against you? Weetzie runs into one in this book, and she inadvertently commits murder. Do you think you could outwit one?
Why This Book?
Weetzie Bat is difficult to recommend personally, but its wild pace and short length may attract readers looking for an exciting read.
Published by: HarperTeen
ISBN: 0060736259
Genre: Fiction/Fantasy
Reading Level: Grades 10 to 12
Reader’s Annotation:
In a psychedelic world composed of a rapid-fire series of adventures where fantasy and reality take turns co-existing and violently smashing together, Weetzie is on a holy mission to find her My Secret Agent Lover Man. In a series of misadventures, some fun, some incredibly dangerous, she explores Shangri-L.A. with the help of Dirk as they look for their respective lovers. When they do find what they are looking for, however, they realize they get more than they ever expected – or ever wanted.
Plot Summary:
Weetzie lives in L.A. with her mother during a time period that is difficult to nail down. Though introverted at first, she meets Dirk whom she believes is extremely handsome – but quickly finds out that he is gay. Unfazed, the two embark on a duck hunting mission in L.A. hoping to find their perfect lovers. Weetzie dates a number of men, all to varying degrees of failure, and at one time appears to be raped by one of them. Dirk fares no better, also becoming involved with several unsuccessful and rather quick relationships.
Their lives take a sudden twist when Dirk’s grandmother presents Weetzie with a magic lamp, capable of summoning a genie to grant three wishes. Weetzie heedlessly wishes for her My Secret Agent Lover Man, a boyfriend for Dirk, and a home where they can live happily-ever-after. The genie grants each wish, but with a dark warning that all may not be what it seems.
Weetzie does meet her My Secret Agent Lover man who – appropriately enough – is named My Secret Agent Lover Man while Dirk meets Duck, the Duck he has been hunting with Weetzie for since they met.
The genie’s foreshadowing comes true as Weetzie learns the house they will live in is Dirk’s grandmother’s – who promptly died after the wish was made and left the house to the duo in her will. While they push through their sorrow to enjoy life with their new lovers, Weetzie develops a strong desire for a baby, which My Secret Agent Lover Man wants no part of for fear of bringing a new child into a violent world. A plan is devised for Dirk and Duck to take turns trying to make Weetzie pregnant, thus making it impossible to tell whose child it is. They believe that if Weetzie does get pregnant, My Secret Agent Lover Man will be willing to raise it. The exact opposite is true, however, and My Secret Agent Lover man feels betrayed by the plot and leaves Weetzie. Though he later returns, his past comes to haunt him as the group learns he had a child with another woman – who also happens to be a witch. Even more bad news develops as Dirk’s lover’s friend seems to be dying, throwing everyone’s life into further disarray. How the group will overcome these obstacles, and others looming on the horizon, is anyone’s guess.
Critical Evaluation:
Weetzie Bat is definitely a stratifying book. The events of the book happen one after the other in only a matter of a few pages, and can be extremely disorienting. The descriptions can also be difficult to follow, often barraging the reader with groups of disconnected events, locations, colors, sounds, scents, and sights that you would expect from a high speed car ride. Despite this sensory rush, Block applies the most important plot developments with a hammer – Dirk is Gay. Weetzie wants a baby. Dirk’s grandmother is dead and Weetzie is at fault. Unlike the confusion and lack of firm detail of the world around the characters, the most important plot points are typically spelled out without any need for interpretation. Weetzie Bat is notable for including elements such as blended families, AIDS, homosexuality, and abortion. Though none of these topics are developed fully or delved into at any length, the book is impressive for adding so many alternative issues and making them a part of the characters without seeming like an attempt at being gritty for shock-value’s sake.
For some readers, the frenetic pace of the book may result in a sensory overload. For other readers looking for something different, Weetzie Bat provides a unique experience unlikely to be found in any other book
Curriculum Ties:
- Blended families
- Abortion
- Homosexuality
Challenge Issues:
- Abortion
- Homosexuality
- Children out of wedlock
Defensive Maneuvers:
- Have the library's collection policy on hand and memorized. Even though you may have it committed to memory, being able to show specific provisions as proof with strengthen your position.
- Be familiar with the book. Having great knowledge of it will prove you understand the content and the way the challenged matters interact with each other. The above issues are an effort to make the world more real, and aren't used to promote any stance.
- Cite any awards the book may have. Though the patron may disagree with the book, showing that it is well known and seen as having great literary merit will strengthen your defense.
- Have a few reviews ready from respected sources such as Amazon or VOYA. At the very least, you can prove you understand the material and reviews will corroborate that.
- Have a strong idea WHY that item is in the library. Explain its merits, who the intended audience is, and so on.
- State your library's commitment to providing intellectual freedom as written in the Library Bill of Rights.
- Stay calm. Getting defensive or hot under the collar will only weaken your position.
- And finally, be open to discussion and LISTEN. Even if you do not agree with the patron, their concerns are still legitimate and you should show that you are engaged with them. Listening to their concerns may be enough to take the edge off.
Book Talk Ideas:
Many of you are probably familiar with the genie from Aladdin, but were you aware that they're pretty hateful creatures that try to turn your wishes against you? Weetzie runs into one in this book, and she inadvertently commits murder. Do you think you could outwit one?
Why This Book?
Weetzie Bat is difficult to recommend personally, but its wild pace and short length may attract readers looking for an exciting read.