[.ca] Violet & Claire (ISBN 0064472531)

From Amazon.com:
Francesca Lia Block has gained a tremendous following writing stories about the young denizens of Los Angeles that are simultaneously ethereal and utterly tangible. Titles such as The Hanged Man, Dangerous Angels, Girl Goddess #9, and I Was a Teenage Fairy explore the heaviest issues facing teens--including all variety of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll--with the light touch of skillful poet. In Violet and Claire, Block once again exposes us to both the best and the worst of the City of Angels, as we trace the rise and fall of a female friendship from thrilling expectations to soul-squelching excess. Set against the glittering background of Hollywood, Block's work has long been marked by an intensely visual style, so it is perhaps appropriate that this story opens like a screenplay: "FADE IN: The helicopter circles, whirring in a sky the color of laundered-to-the-perfect-fade-jeans. Clouds like the wigs of starlets--fluffy platinum spun floss." The script theme continues with chapter subheadings such as "EXT: HIGH SCHOOL QUAD--DAY" and "INT: LIMO--NIGHT" while teenage wannabe filmmaker Violet and gossamer-winged poet Claire take turns telling their story. Everywhere Violet is dark, Claire resonates light. And as they make the arduous journey toward adulthood by way of the silver screen dream, it is this essential oppositeness that both draws the two together and drives them apart. Luckily, there's a Hollywood ending for the yin-yang duo, "the photo negative of each other, together making the perfect image of a girl." (Ages 12 and older) --Brangien Davis

violet:
I read this book in 2 hours last night. What a great way Block wrote, it was like Violet's life was the movie, and the movie was her life. I related to the character of Claire on many levels, and it was just an all around great story and I hope to definately read more of Block's books!

violet and claire:
this is one of my favorite FLB books. its about violet and how she wants to make movies and claire who's into faeries and tinkerbell and glitter and stuff. They're opposites but Violet thinks that claire could star in her movie so they become friends right away. This book is so poetic and beautiful and i could relate to both violet and claire even though they are different. i think that a lot of people can relate to both of them.

VIOLET:
Violet: loner and goth Claire: Loner and faery wanna be come together in this story. They become true friends. They want to do everything together, especially make a movie due to Violets obsession with classic cinema. Life gets more complicated when people come inside the world of violet and claire, can they make it through the ups and downs of life? Go get it, its a wonderful, uplifting story about friendship.

Poetic and Interesting:
This book was endearing in some ways but a little confusing. I loved the characters and you really could tell what they were feeling. Violet is severe at times but her thoughts and actions are understandable. Claire is so kind and innocent to outsiders but I liked getting to know her from her own point of view. The imagery and poetry were better than in any other book I've read, which is the main reason I like this book. But in Claire's chapter, she brings up some issues from her past and never fully explains them. There are problems with her parents and her childhood that are mentioned that are never really made clear. Other than these unanswered tidbits, this is a wonderful book full of poetry and imagination that shows how even the bad things in life can be resolved.

Floating somewhere in the middle...:
I was torn on what to review this, because the book was entertaining...but it was most definitely lacking. I was able to pick up on the characters right away, and found things that I could relate to...however, aside from Violet and Flint, I found everything to be under developed. Violet and Claire were best friends...why? There was no development in this story. You don't see anything happening, you're told it's happening. The great stories are the ones that are painted out for you, not the ones that are stated bluntly...however, in this case, I think that actually worked for the book... I settled on 3 stars. Not everyone is going to like it, but if it's your style, you're going to fall madly in love with it.