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What Members Thought
A strange and powerful book about a boy whose mother is very sick. The thing about this book is that it deals with well-tread territory, but it's never cliched. In fact, Ness's take on the pain of having a sick parent is completely fresh and riveting. I loved that the monster told Conor stories to help him understand. I loved the illustrations. I loved this book and cried like a baby when I finished it.
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If it's eligible, my pick for Newbery, I think. A book that stands out.
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I'm not even sure how to classify this book. It's heartbreakingly sad. It's brutally honest, and it's destined to become a classic.
There is a quote by G.K. Chesterton that says,"Fairytales don't teach children that monsters exist. They already know that monsters exist. Fairy tales teach children that monsters can be killed."
I was reminded of that quote when the boy in the story is first confronted with the monster. He's not afraid. He's not afraid because his real life is much scarier.
A monste ...more
There is a quote by G.K. Chesterton that says,"Fairytales don't teach children that monsters exist. They already know that monsters exist. Fairy tales teach children that monsters can be killed."
I was reminded of that quote when the boy in the story is first confronted with the monster. He's not afraid. He's not afraid because his real life is much scarier.
A monste ...more
I was expecting emotional intensity and some brilliance (remember this is the man who brought us The Knife of Never Letting Go, which is also emotionally intense and absolutely brilliant) but I wasn't quite sure what form it would take. This is a much sparer story than the Chaos Walking trilogy, which was actually a relief and, I think, one of the story's strengths.
The dialogue is also perfectly spare - the characters leave so much out and say so much more by doing so. The mythological and fair ...more
The dialogue is also perfectly spare - the characters leave so much out and say so much more by doing so. The mythological and fair ...more
What an amazing ending this book has! Grief is such a hard thing to deal with - the monster in this story is really so crucial to that process. Sobbed for about the last 35 pages. Language is beautiful.
Probably not a book I'll share with my 5th graders, but an amazing story. ...more
Probably not a book I'll share with my 5th graders, but an amazing story. ...more
"You do not write your life with words, the monster said. You write it with actions. What you think is not important. It is only important what you do."
"You do what you did just now, the monster said. You speak the truth." ...more
"You do what you did just now, the monster said. You speak the truth." ...more
Incredibly powerful. Perfectly written. Hands down one of the top five books I've read not just all year, but in recent memory. But why is it YA? Plenty of sad books are still considered middle grade? Is it just that the main character is older?
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This is a beautiful, beautiful story about dealing with a parent's serious illness. My gut reaction, though, is that it is a book for adults, not for children. While in a way it takes things to a child's level, and could be a helpful book for an adult to read and discuss with a child, it almost needs a warning label! I know I sound as if children can't handle stories that get at the big truths of life, but I've seen kids fall apart when books such as A Bridge to Terabithia strike too close to ho
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I kept wondering why people thought this book was so amazing. But when I finished it and was in tears at the break room table, I knew why it was amazing. Wow.
Oct 26, 2011
Astrid Lim
rated it
it was amazing
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review of another edition
Shelves:
children,
british,
middle-grade,
allegory,
dysfunctional-family,
sicklit,
magical-realism,
tearjerker
I've been wanting to read a tearjerker for some time but haven't found one that really could make my heart squeezed and my eyes bawled. Turn out A Monster Calls can do both. The story about a boy who tried to come in terms with his grief and the truth behind his mother's sickness, was really touching and sad - although very beautiful too. Letting go is the main theme of the book and I will recommend this book for everyone who had encountered grief and lost a dear someone - but frankly, I'll reco
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A powerful book that taps into the heaviness of grief and the complexity of letting go of a dying parent. The main character is visited by a "monster" made from a yew tree, a tree full of healing properties. The fantastic parts of the book really fit because times when a loved one is sick are often so surreal. Heartbreaking, but worth reading. Amazing illustrations are throughout the book- the right person could make this into an amazing movie.
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Hauntingly beautiful. This is the kind of book that speaks to your soul, even if you haven't experienced the loss of someone close to you. It had me in tears so many times. And the illustrations add the perfect finishing touch.
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Brutal and healing both. The first and second tales were my favorite parts - I loved the moral ambiguity and tricksiness of them.
Had to share this podcast: https://soundcloud.com/colby-sharp-3/...
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Sep 14, 2011
Laura5
marked it as to-read
Oct 29, 2011
Geni
marked it as to-read
Dec 05, 2011
Barbara
marked it as to-read
Feb 12, 2012
Kristin McIlhagga
marked it as to-read
