Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block

1

October 4, 2012 by rgullans

Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block.

ISBN 13: 978-0060736255, HarperTeen, 1989.

Plot Summary

The story of Weetzie Bat follows Weetzie and Dirk as they become young adults.  They search for love, or go “duck hunting”, have casual sex and live on the edge.  The plot takes a turn when Weetzie finds a magic lamp and wishes for a little house, a duck for Dirk and “My Secret Agent Lover Man” for herself.  Her wishes are granted and the four characters proceed to live happily in their little house, that is until Weetzie decides she wants to have a baby.  When My Secret Agent Lover Man refuses, Weetzie makes a pack with Dirk and Duck and successfully gets pregnant. My Secret Agent Lover Man find out about the pact and the pregnancy and walks out on Weetzie. Breaking the unconventional family apart. The rest of the novel is devoted to mending relationships and getting their little bit of happiness back together, but not before there is a few surprises like a witch baby.

Critical Evaluation

The character development in Weetzie Bat is severely lacking. The plot plods on but Block’s lack of character development leaves the reader to feel like whatever happens to the character does not really matter. There is no connection to Weetzie, Dirk, or their boyfriends. They seem to be caring characters who just do not really think about the life their leading, they just blindly act and do not reflect. For example when Weetzie decides she wants to get pregnant and My Secret Agent Lover Man refuses because he does not think its a good idea to bring a child into the world, Weetzie just goes behind his back to get pregnant, and does not consult him further. Dirk and Duck help get Weetzie pregnant and they too seem to have no concern for My Secret Agent Lover Man. They just do what they want, without thinking about others. And although Weetzie is sad when she leaves she seems to not be sorry about her actions. This book had great potential with its unconventional characters, but unfortunately the characters come off as unreflecting and egocentric.

Readers Annotation

Weetzie Bat and her gay best friend Dirk have carved out a little bit of happiness for themselves, even if it is unconventional.  Can they hang on to the life that Weetzie’s genie wished gave them?

Information About the Author

According to Francesca Lia Block’s website she was
“Born in Los Angeles, where she still lives, Block’s work pulsates with the language and images of the city’s sprawling subculture. Lauds a reviewer for the New York Times Book Review, ‘Block writes about the real Los Angeles better than anyone since Raymond Chandler.'”

“Block has described her work as “contemporary fairy tales with an edge,” where the real world and its trouble find solace through the magic of creative expression and love. She has received numerous honors, including the Margaret A. Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award and the Phoenix Award, as well as citations from the American Library Association, The New York Times Book Review and the School Library Journal, Her work has been published around the world, translated into many languages.”

Genre

Romance

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Book Talking Ideas

Read excerpts from the book and let the unusual language lure readers into reading the book.

Describe the character of Weetzie Bat.  Perhaps accompany the description with a visual collage of Weetzie Bat’s style and possessions.

Reading Level/ Interest Age

Ages 14 and up.

Challenge Issues

Unconventional relationships, gay, drug use, alcohol consumption, casual sex, Weetzie’s daughter not having a clear father, witchcraft.

If this book were challenged I would show the challenger the libraries selection policy and written rationale for the inclusion of the book in the library.  I would also provide the challenger with book reviews for them to consider. If they were still not satisfied I would suggest the fill out a request for reconsideration form.

Why Included

Mandatory reading for the class.