Reviews tagging 'Vomit'

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

18 reviews

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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Death

Moderate: Bullying

Minor: Vomit, Mental illness, Medical content, and Violence

fatfrog's review against another edition

Too boring 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Vomit and Cancer

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.

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.

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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 episode

livreads2much's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Vomit, Cancer, and Death of parent

Moderate: Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, and Infidelity

ofheartsandaros's review against another edition

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, Cancer, Bullying, and Death of parent

Moderate: Medical content and Vomit

seforana's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Medical content, Terminal illness, Vomit, Cancer, Gaslighting, Chronic illness, and Grief

soytube's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Cancer, and Terminal illness

Minor: Vomit

growintogardens's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

One of the saddest books I've read, but important and wonderfully done. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Bullying, Cancer, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Medical trauma, Abandonment, Violence, and Medical content

Minor: Vomit and Injury/Injury detail

shadereads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, and Grief

Minor: Death of parent, Vomit, and Medical content

readingqueerly's review against another edition

emotional inspiring mysterious reflective 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

First of all, ouch my heart. Secondly, this was really incredible. The storytelling mixed with the illustrations which had a particular style really brought this graphic novel to life completely.
The author did an amazing job at portraying all of these characters, especially Conor, and making you understand exactly what they are feeling, and why they act the way they do.
In addition, there are many lessons and messages to be taken from this book, but it never felt forced. It's merely presenting the idea that we shouldn't take things at face value or fill in gaps with the most obvious solution. 
I absolutely loved this and I cannot believe it was on my shelf for this long. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Grief, Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Medical content

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Death, Murder, Religious bigotry, Vomit, and Child death