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laurapasqualii's review
5.0
I dont think this book will ever cease to be my favorite of all times. This was the first book that truly touched my soul. And no story has made me cry as much as. Its been years since I read it, but the sensation still feels alive in me. I would give 10 stars for this book if it were possible.
roe_bookworm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
I’m crying. Please read it. But careful of trigger warnings.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, Death, and Violence
alissamk's review against another edition
5.0
This was incredible from start to finish but now I'm kicking myself for getting the Kindle edition because I missed out on the illustrations! I saw them after the fact and they're so haunting and beautiful. I'll get myself a physical copy if I ever want to experience this story again. It's about loss and grief told through the stories of a boy and a monster who comes to visit him. Just excellent.
reydeam's review against another edition
5.0
“How do you fight all the different stuff inside?
By speaking truth, the monster said. As you spoke it just now.”
Beautiful storytelling in words and illustrations. My mind ponder many passages; I was viscerally affected. This is a deep book yet simply told. It is powerful on many levels.
Death is an ugly beast especially for a child. The enormity of grief and loneliness can be overwhelming. A Monster Calls tackles these enormities with care and in a gentle manner, and yet it did not shy away from the ugliness of it all. It showed us that we can be eaten up by truth left inside of us; unspoken truth can fester fears and create lies that we tell ourselves.
This is also a universal story of wrestling with our truths; it’s of having the courage to speak about what’s inside of us, having the bravery to confront our loneliness, having the strength to stay true to our beliefs while all the long living with varying dichotomies within our own selves, and recognizing others have their own dichotomies too.
A Monster Calls encourages us to speak truth, face our fears, and to continue to love in the midst of our grief. It drove home the significance of not only seeing another person but making them aware that they’re seen.
This is a powerful story.
Side notes: I cannot speak highly enough about the illustrations. They complemented the words perfectly and enriched the storytelling. They are definitely a story within themselves.
I will admit, I did not want to read this book. I did not want to read pages of sadness. I did not want to visit the emotions. I set the book aside for several weeks. I forced myself to start reading this book only because it was for a bookclub and that is why I am glad for bookclubs. I would have otherwise missed out on this one. Please do not let the themes of this book keep you away from reading it. This one is worth the emotions.
I am not sure my 11-year old daughter is ready for this story. I am not even sure when she is 12 that she will be ready. This is truly a deep book told with stories within a story. There are many truths layered within. I am not sure she has reached the ability to take in the truths, understand the layers, and to grapple with the themes. I am also not sure she is ready for the emotions of it all. And yet, I do not want to shortchange her. For her, I may wait until she is 13-15 to present this book. Then again, I may not.
By speaking truth, the monster said. As you spoke it just now.”
Beautiful storytelling in words and illustrations. My mind ponder many passages; I was viscerally affected. This is a deep book yet simply told. It is powerful on many levels.
Death is an ugly beast especially for a child. The enormity of grief and loneliness can be overwhelming. A Monster Calls tackles these enormities with care and in a gentle manner, and yet it did not shy away from the ugliness of it all. It showed us that we can be eaten up by truth left inside of us; unspoken truth can fester fears and create lies that we tell ourselves.
This is also a universal story of wrestling with our truths; it’s of having the courage to speak about what’s inside of us, having the bravery to confront our loneliness, having the strength to stay true to our beliefs while all the long living with varying dichotomies within our own selves, and recognizing others have their own dichotomies too.
A Monster Calls encourages us to speak truth, face our fears, and to continue to love in the midst of our grief. It drove home the significance of not only seeing another person but making them aware that they’re seen.
This is a powerful story.
Side notes: I cannot speak highly enough about the illustrations. They complemented the words perfectly and enriched the storytelling. They are definitely a story within themselves.
I will admit, I did not want to read this book. I did not want to read pages of sadness. I did not want to visit the emotions. I set the book aside for several weeks. I forced myself to start reading this book only because it was for a bookclub and that is why I am glad for bookclubs. I would have otherwise missed out on this one. Please do not let the themes of this book keep you away from reading it. This one is worth the emotions.
I am not sure my 11-year old daughter is ready for this story. I am not even sure when she is 12 that she will be ready. This is truly a deep book told with stories within a story. There are many truths layered within. I am not sure she has reached the ability to take in the truths, understand the layers, and to grapple with the themes. I am also not sure she is ready for the emotions of it all. And yet, I do not want to shortchange her. For her, I may wait until she is 13-15 to present this book. Then again, I may not.
chanelily's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
josieabc12's review
5.0
This was admittedly not what I had expected it to be, but so much better. It far exceeded anything I could have anticipated. Patrick Ness did a phenomenal job in this story and captured grief in an unforgettable way.
"Sometimes people need to lie to themselves most of all."
"Sometimes people need to lie to themselves most of all."
sofiacanread's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
mrsguin's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a "crier." It just is who I am. I knew from the beginning that this would touch my heart, and it didn't disappoint. I can't even describe my emotions, but this novel was truly breath-taking.
grundmanisk's review
emotional
sad
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This book made me ugly cry and I don’t think I’ll ever be the same