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eesh25's review against another edition
5.0
Every once in a while, you read a book that becomes an instant favourite. Though usually, you have at least get to the end of the book before that happens. But something about this book just struck me right from the beginning.
This a story about 13-year-old Conor, whose mother is battling cancer. He's plagued with nightmares of a monster. And then, one night, he's visited by a monster, one different from his dreams. Conor wonders if he's still asleep, but he's not. Nor is he afraid, much to the displeasure of the monster. But the monster isn't there to scare him anyway. It visits Conor several times, always seven minutes past twelve. And it tells Conor that it has three stories for him, after which Conor will give it something: the truth.
And honestly, from the moment Conor first met the monster, I knew I would love the book. Conor wasn't afraid because a) this monster was just a tree (his words), and b) the real monster was the one Conor saw in his nightmares.
It was a scene that immediately subverted expectations. This isn't a story about huge, scary monsters that could crush you in their palm, it's about the monster of reality and the fear caused by the truth. It's a book that doesn't hold back on emotion, even for a second. It delivers dark humour that makes the story feel even more real. And it portrays sadness in a way that's almost tangible because of the atmosphere the book creates from the first page.
And I have to talk about the illustrations. They're perfect. I know there are editions of the book without illustrations, but I would highly recommend the ones with, because Jim Kay's illustrations are a visual representation of how the book feels.
And last by not least, the ending. I know that I would have loved the story even if the ending didn't do something unexpected. But the scenes at the end, Conor's truth, and the message of the book, they elevated the book for me. Though I'm not sure if "message" is the right word. "Truth" seems more appropriate. Or an observation about life. All I can say is that I loved it. And that I can't recommend this novella enough.
To conclude, I'm gonna leave you with a quote from the book. Though not the one I wanted to leave you with, because that one spoiled one of the monster's stories.
This a story about 13-year-old Conor, whose mother is battling cancer. He's plagued with nightmares of a monster. And then, one night, he's visited by a monster, one different from his dreams. Conor wonders if he's still asleep, but he's not. Nor is he afraid, much to the displeasure of the monster. But the monster isn't there to scare him anyway. It visits Conor several times, always seven minutes past twelve. And it tells Conor that it has three stories for him, after which Conor will give it something: the truth.
And honestly, from the moment Conor first met the monster, I knew I would love the book. Conor wasn't afraid because a) this monster was just a tree (his words), and b) the real monster was the one Conor saw in his nightmares.
It was a scene that immediately subverted expectations. This isn't a story about huge, scary monsters that could crush you in their palm, it's about the monster of reality and the fear caused by the truth. It's a book that doesn't hold back on emotion, even for a second. It delivers dark humour that makes the story feel even more real. And it portrays sadness in a way that's almost tangible because of the atmosphere the book creates from the first page.
And I have to talk about the illustrations. They're perfect. I know there are editions of the book without illustrations, but I would highly recommend the ones with, because Jim Kay's illustrations are a visual representation of how the book feels.
And last by not least, the ending. I know that I would have loved the story even if the ending didn't do something unexpected. But the scenes at the end, Conor's truth, and the message of the book, they elevated the book for me. Though I'm not sure if "message" is the right word. "Truth" seems more appropriate. Or an observation about life. All I can say is that I loved it. And that I can't recommend this novella enough.
To conclude, I'm gonna leave you with a quote from the book. Though not the one I wanted to leave you with, because that one spoiled one of the monster's stories.
Stories are wild creatures, the monster said. When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak?
joshpow3ll's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Cancer
Minor: Sexual content and Violence
puffy33's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sel21's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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
3.5
marlisenicole's review against another edition
emotional
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
bjlongchamps's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
issysarchives's review against another edition
5.0
I don't cry at books.
I shed a tear or two now and then, but I haven't sobbed so much at a book for years. Going into this I didn't think it would be such a hard-hitting novel for only 200 pages.
It was such a wonderful, brutal story with a message that will stay with me for a very long time.
Don't be fooled by the monster aspect either, it does not consume the story, only adds to the core message of the book.
I'm sat here trying to think of what else to say. I have never read a book that deals with the anger of grief to directly. It is not a quick, easy read, but it's definitely an important one.
I shed a tear or two now and then, but I haven't sobbed so much at a book for years. Going into this I didn't think it would be such a hard-hitting novel for only 200 pages.
It was such a wonderful, brutal story with a message that will stay with me for a very long time.
Don't be fooled by the monster aspect either, it does not consume the story, only adds to the core message of the book.
I'm sat here trying to think of what else to say. I have never read a book that deals with the anger of grief to directly. It is not a quick, easy read, but it's definitely an important one.
coraline88's review against another edition
5.0
''The Monster showed up just after midnight. As they do''. BEST WAY TO START A BOOK EVER. I thought this book was a masterpiece and it was simply filled to the brim with memorable quotes and I could feel the pain that Conor was going through and I was just enamored with the simple yet captivating writing style. The stories the monster told him seemed to be perfectly intertwined with the reality Conor was struggling with. What really made this book worthwhile was his character development, and when he was finally forced to tell the truth was the saddest moment in my opinion. When he said that in the nightmare, he let his mother fall so as so avoid any further suffering, the monster helps him and he finally confronts his mother's death. Also, I really recommend the movie, it was a faithful adaptation to it's source material and it succeeded in making me tear up, whilst in the book, I didn't really cry that much, but I still adored it!!!