Scan barcode
A review by sabsey
Last Night I Sang to the Monster by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
5.0
UPDATE: I finally reread this. The first time I read this book I was up til 3am and in tears. This time around, it's 6pm on a saturday evening and I'm crying just as much as the first time. This is such a gentle and delicate and heartbreaking book. Words can't even begin to describe the beauty and grief and pain conveyed in this novel. Every character, even the minor ones, are brought to life. You feel like you know all of them, and you ache for every one of them. This book moved me beyond words the first time, and it did again the second time. I feel like a different person each time I finish it. I feel like I've changed, like Zach's journey became my own. It's the type of book that is a very personal & unique experience for everyone who reads it.
I also think this is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful books I've ever read. Saenz's writing is really at it's most powerful and moving here. I wouldn't recommend it if you're sensitive to abuse, mental illness, sexual assault, drug abuse, alcoholism, and self-harm. This book IS set in a rehab centre, so it's heavy, but other than that I'd urge everyone to read it. It might be hard for some to push through all the sadness held in this book but it's so worth it.
FIRST REVIEW FROM 2014:
I'm kind of in shock right now...this book was very heavy and intense but the writing was beautiful and I would be lying if I said it didn't make me cry. I feel like this book changed me (though I'm not sure how yet), and I know I'm really going to miss the characters...
This book is a story about healing and recovery and facing "the monsters" in the character's lives, and while it is dark it's also very bittersweet and provokes a lot of emotions in the reader.
I highly recommend it (although it is dark and if you're not good with dealing with heavy themes involving drug abuse, mental disorders, etc. then maybe it's not the best choice)
I also think this is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful books I've ever read. Saenz's writing is really at it's most powerful and moving here. I wouldn't recommend it if you're sensitive to abuse, mental illness, sexual assault, drug abuse, alcoholism, and self-harm. This book IS set in a rehab centre, so it's heavy, but other than that I'd urge everyone to read it. It might be hard for some to push through all the sadness held in this book but it's so worth it.
FIRST REVIEW FROM 2014:
I'm kind of in shock right now...this book was very heavy and intense but the writing was beautiful and I would be lying if I said it didn't make me cry. I feel like this book changed me (though I'm not sure how yet), and I know I'm really going to miss the characters...
This book is a story about healing and recovery and facing "the monsters" in the character's lives, and while it is dark it's also very bittersweet and provokes a lot of emotions in the reader.
I highly recommend it (although it is dark and if you're not good with dealing with heavy themes involving drug abuse, mental disorders, etc. then maybe it's not the best choice)