Echo

Rating:
Summary: not up to Block's usual standards, but entertaining
Review: Had I not read all of Francesca Lia Block's books before Echo, I would have been very impressed with Echo. It's extremely creative and well-written, involving issues of loss, love, and finding onseself through triumphs and trials. However, the characters (particularly Eden and Smoke) did not hold my attention like Weetzie Bat and Witch Baby did. They did not seem to be as sympathetic, caring, or real. I think one of Block's strengths is that she manages to maintain real, relatable characters despite use of magical realism. I think that quality was missing in Echo. This doesn't make it a bad book by any means; but because I had read Dangerous Angels and other Block novels before Echo, I was somewhat disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Enchanting
Review: The first Block book i read was 'the Hanged Man' about 2 years ago and when i saw 'Echo' i just had to read it. Block's style is easy to read and very poetic at times, unfortunately her stories are too short in my opinion. 'Echo' was sort of confusing at first, trying to figure out how exactly people like Thorn or Mister Bones were connected to her, but it's nice and different to have the narration change in some chapters. I wouldn't recommend it for people who aren't too tolerant towards premarital sex or use of drugs, but i myself don't exactly embrace those things, and i still loved the book.

Rating:
Summary: Magical
Review: I bought and read this book, and definetly felt that it was truly magical. This is the type of book you can read over and over. I connected with Echo is so many ways, from her health struggles to her father having cancer, also. This is a beautifully written, poetic book.It allows you to see each characters view point,which makes the book even more interesting. I also really like how Francesca ended the book. This book is soooo good,and I highly recommend it :-)

Rating:
Summary: An Echo of Disappointment
Review: I found Echo to be a very disappointing book, and a waste of money. The book jumps around from person to person which is sometimes good, but in this case I'd say it's bad. The connection between the people in this book isn't too strong and I don't think that one person has much to do with the other. Basically, I can't even tell you what this book is about. I honestly have no idea. It jumps around so much that I have no idea what it's trying to say or what the message behind it is. I wouldn't really recommend it but if you like books that jump around, go ahead.

Rating:
Summary: what are you people thinking?
Review: Echo is poignant, poetic, tale that young adults SHOULD read. Most books for young adults shelter them. Although Echo is a bit confusing at first, once you have gotten to know the charachters, and the writing style it isn't all that difficult to read. This book was not rubbish, it was incredibly deep, and anyone who can teach a young adult to read something as deep as ECHO, as well as Fracesca Lia Block can, is beyond talented.

Rating:
Summary: Could Have Done Better
Review: I love Block's writing, but was slightly disappointed with Echo. It is a good story yet seems to jump around and is more like a spider-web that cannot hold its own weight. The story is a little bit of a merry-go-round, yet for anyone that likes Block's writing will like this book. But they will probably use it for a paper-weight afterward. Meaning, this is a book not to be recommanded.

Rating:
Summary: DEFINITELY NOT FOR "YOUNG" ADULTS!
Review: I wanted to check the reading level listed on Amazon for "Echo" because I couldn't believe that it was indeed considered a young adult book. My 13 year old sister brought it to me to look at because she didn't think she should be reading it, and I agreed. Despite any possible redeeming values this book might have, the content is NOT meant for younger teens. My sister (and myself) were deeply disturbed by some of the events and references in the book. The gratuitous sex and drug use was completely inappropriate for the age group this book targets.

Rating:
Summary: Echo
Review: One word describes this book. RUBBISH. Parents you would be wise to read this book before you let your child. Or you will be as Echo's mother oblivious to her life. I can't believe this is a so called teen novel. I wouldn't let my 80 year old mother read it and she has been through life. Pick your poison so to speak. I threw this book across the room when I was finished and the last time I did that was with a John Grisham novel. It didn't deserve one star. I guess this has been more than one word. OUT

Rating:
Summary: An Avid Block Reader
Review: I must admit that I love Francesca Lia Block's way of writing but in this book I didn't like it so much. She jumped around in every chapter going from Echo's perspective, to Echo's mother's, to one of Echo's boyfriends... it was completely confusing. I found myself reading for the sole fact that I wanted to know what was going on, not because I was interested. It was a good coming of age story and again, Block uses detail and profounds me by the way she explains things. My advice is read this book only if you want to be confused.

Rating:
Summary: Quick Prose
Review: 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.