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aryn456's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I've first found out about this story through the movie, a most brilliant adaptation of the work. But the book was much better, in every conceivable way. From the impeccable writing style, to the twisted illustrations, the deeply complex characters and their relationships - a must read for any age group!
The book greatly goes into detail about the complexity of human nature, in a way that even children will understand and learn. And yet it does not get boring for anyone older than a child.
This story has brought me to tears twice now, and I am certain that it will do so again and again and again.
The book greatly goes into detail about the complexity of human nature, in a way that even children will understand and learn. And yet it does not get boring for anyone older than a child.
This story has brought me to tears twice now, and I am certain that it will do so again and again and again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Death
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Vomit, Mental illness, Medical content, and Violence
karwc's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, Bullying, Grief, Death, and Terminal illness
Minor: Medical content
charityc's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Death, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Bullying
charityc's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Grief, Cancer, and Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Abandonment
deliak03's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was very interesting in that it is a really good display of grief, especially for younger kids, but there’s still the mysterious element of a monster that keeps you wanting to read more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Terminal illness
maeverose's review against another edition
3.0
Conor’s grief presents in the form of anger, and leads to him having some very unhealthy and harmful coping mechanisms. While I completely understand that is how some people react to grief, and part of the point of the story was Conor having to learn to heal, I felt that the book focused almost solely on Conor’s feelings and I don’t feel like there was enough emphasis on him changing how he treated others. He kind of just got away with all the bad things he did to other people. Also, all the female characters in the book are framed as mean, or end up getting killed or dying. Lily being the only real exception. This annoyed me a bit.
Another mild thing that annoyed me, even though it was pointed out in the book, was how Conor’s parents wouldn’t be honest with him about what was happening. Yes Conor knew, but I think in a situation like that it’s much more helpful to be honest so your child can mentally prepare. Again, while the book did sort of acknowledge this it was still frustrating.
Another mild thing that annoyed me, even though it was pointed out in the book, was how Conor’s parents wouldn’t be honest with him about what was happening. Yes Conor knew, but I think in a situation like that it’s much more helpful to be honest so your child can mentally prepare. Again, while the book did sort of acknowledge this it was still frustrating.
I do think this book has important messages about how everybody is complicated and our emotions are complicated and that’s okay, but I can’t say I enjoyed the overall reading experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Bullying, Death, Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Murder, Medical content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Violence, and Vomit
Minor: Misogyny and Sexual content
A note on the cancer: Conor’s mother’s diagnosis is never named, but it definitely seems to be coded as cancer. A note on the schizophrenia: Conor doesn’t have schizophrenia in the book, the monster is just a magical realism representation of his grief, but there are definitely scenes where it could appear similar to a psychosis episodemaggieoc_x's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this hurt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Terminal illness, Grief, Bullying, Cancer, and Death
Moderate: Medical content
emilynied's review
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"A Monster Calls" is a low fantasy book written by Patrick Ness. The idea came from Siobhan Dowd, who passed away from cancer in 2007 - I highly recommend you read this article which includes an interview with Dowd's sister, Denise (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/dec/10/monster-calls-film-mum-friend-siobhan-dowd-boy-talking-tree-book). The book tells the story of Conor, who is experiencing nightmares with a "monster" as his mother's health deteriorates. It's only about 230 pages but man, it packs a punch. I had read reviews depicting devastated readers and lots of tears, but I did not anticipate how much I would be affected by this story.
Ness is perfectly able to capture Conor's innermost thoughts and feelings in a nuanced and forceful way, and the plot moves along so fluently as the small accounts from Conor's days at school, with his grandmother and his father began to meld together into his life that felt complete as a reader. Conor's mother is a warm and tender character that shines through and acts as a metaphor for all parental figures I think.
The monster was a mighty choice to represent what it did and I think the revelation at the end of the book was compelling and devastating all at the same time. Ness weaves this story so beautifully, and by the end, I was crying too as I turned the last page. This book speaks to the reader so strongly about love and loss and the power of parental relationships. In the past year, I've watched a family member fight cancer and I think that made this story particularly poignant for me.
I highly recommend the illustrated version with Jim Kay. Please read this book :)
Ness is perfectly able to capture Conor's innermost thoughts and feelings in a nuanced and forceful way, and the plot moves along so fluently as the small accounts from Conor's days at school, with his grandmother and his father began to meld together into his life that felt complete as a reader. Conor's mother is a warm and tender character that shines through and acts as a metaphor for all parental figures I think.
The monster was a mighty choice to represent what it did and I think the revelation at the end of the book was compelling and devastating all at the same time. Ness weaves this story so beautifully, and by the end, I was crying too as I turned the last page. This book speaks to the reader so strongly about love and loss and the power of parental relationships. In the past year, I've watched a family member fight cancer and I think that made this story particularly poignant for me.
I highly recommend the illustrated version with Jim Kay. Please read this book :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Bullying, Death, and Death of parent
actioncat's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Cancer, Violence, Bullying, and Death of parent
gellyreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Abandonment, Chronic illness, and Terminal illness