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A Monster Calls
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An unflinching, darkly funny, and deeply moving story of a boy, his seriously ill mother, and an unexpected monstrous visitor.
At seven minutes past midnight, thirteen-year-old Conor wakes to find a monster outside his bedroom window. But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting - he's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he's had nearly every night ...more
At seven minutes past midnight, thirteen-year-old Conor wakes to find a monster outside his bedroom window. But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting - he's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he's had nearly every night ...more
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Hardcover, 226 pages
Published
September 27th 2011
by Walker Books
(first published May 5th 2011)
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You can also find this review on my blog, Cait's Corner!
First things first: This almost never happens, but I have to admit that I cried at the end of this book; I clutched my cute little kitty-kat and bawled.
However, I didn't cry because of what the book in general, necessarily, but because of what it did to me. It drags out your saddest memories and pains, kicking and screaming, makes you look them right in the face and watch them all happen all over again, no matter how much you don't want ...more
First things first: This almost never happens, but I have to admit that I cried at the end of this book; I clutched my cute little kitty-kat and bawled.
However, I didn't cry because of what the book in general, necessarily, but because of what it did to me. It drags out your saddest memories and pains, kicking and screaming, makes you look them right in the face and watch them all happen all over again, no matter how much you don't want ...more
Please excuse my ramblings, I read A Monster Calls in three hours and I am still extremely emotional. I should not have been given access to a computer after such a powerful book.
As I am writing this, there are still tears coursing down my face--black from my mascara. I may look like something straight out of a horror movie, but my soul feels lighter somehow. I was fooled into thinking this would be a simple story as it is only 200 pages, but it is not. It is so not. This book is raw and emotion ...more
As I am writing this, there are still tears coursing down my face--black from my mascara. I may look like something straight out of a horror movie, but my soul feels lighter somehow. I was fooled into thinking this would be a simple story as it is only 200 pages, but it is not. It is so not. This book is raw and emotion ...more
I got back to my apartment in Bulgaria and thought I'd read a little bit of this novel before I went to bed. 2 hours later I was still sat in my original position but by this time I was sobbing my heart out. Literally sat there crying like a baby to myself. I doubt this book will be everyone's cup of tea but, whatever it has, it really worked it's magic on me.
I thought A Monster Calls was pretty much amazing in every way; from it's darkly beautiful illustrations (worth buying a paper copy for) ...more
I just read this book from cover to cover.
I have no idea how to rate it.
It is the worst book I've read.
I would never be able to recommend it,
because I hated it.
It's ripped my heart in two.
It'll make you think of losing the one person who means the most to you.
Or it'll make you think of those you've already lost.
It's not a happy book, but it's an important one.
I have no idea how to rate it.
It is the worst book I've read.
I would never be able to recommend it,
because I hated it.
It's ripped my heart in two.
It'll make you think of losing the one person who means the most to you.
Or it'll make you think of those you've already lost.
It's not a happy book, but it's an important one.
In the dark of night, when the house is still, what fears creep into your heart? For Conor O'Malley, his nightmares take the shape of a very old and very dangerous monster who visits him every night at seven minutes past midnight. He's half-convinced that these must be dreams of his fevered mind. But how can they be, when the visits are so vivid and when he finds physical evidence of the monster's existence the next day?
Conor's nightmares begin shortly after his mother starts her treatments for ...more
Conor's nightmares begin shortly after his mother starts her treatments for ...more
”The monster showed up just after midnight. As they do.”
Seven minutes after midnight
AND
one hour after finishing the book:
*sits in a pile of tissues and STILL weeps*
<--- This was me on Saturday.
This is me now,
four days after reading the book:
*sits down to write a proper review but immediately starts to cry again*
I can’t write a review about this book, I just can’t!!!
Heaven knows I’ve tried to, but whenever I think about “A Monster Calls” I’m tearing up again.
Just to think about this bo ...more
Seven minutes after midnight
AND
one hour after finishing the book:
*sits in a pile of tissues and STILL weeps*
<--- This was me on Saturday.
This is me now,
four days after reading the book:
*sits down to write a proper review but immediately starts to cry again*
I can’t write a review about this book, I just can’t!!!
Heaven knows I’ve tried to, but whenever I think about “A Monster Calls” I’m tearing up again.
Just to think about this bo ...more
Such a beautiful and gripping story. I feel like this is one of those books that will stay with you long after you've read it.
To see this review and others, please visit www.readrantrockandroll.com
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness is a book like no other and one that I'll never forget.
My first rating in January on this book was 4 stars. I couldn't figure out why, I just didn't love the story. I re-read it this past weekend and I've revised my review.
*This review may contain spoilers for those who haven't read the book...
I was very angry, then sad, then had mixed emotions in between. My main issue when I first read it w ...more
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness is a book like no other and one that I'll never forget.
My first rating in January on this book was 4 stars. I couldn't figure out why, I just didn't love the story. I re-read it this past weekend and I've revised my review.
*This review may contain spoilers for those who haven't read the book...
I was very angry, then sad, then had mixed emotions in between. My main issue when I first read it w ...more
Whyin the world did I re/read this right now!
YES...THIS BOOK IS A HEART BREAKER :(
Conor's mom is dying, he won't believe it. He says she's just having her treatments and she will get better like last time.
I'm not really sure if the yew tree monster is in his mind to help him or if it's real. I like to think it is a little of both. It is there coming to Conor's window trying to get him to come out and talk to it.
I really liked the graphics in this book, they are not not oh and ah, they are just ...more
YES...THIS BOOK IS A HEART BREAKER :(
Conor's mom is dying, he won't believe it. He says she's just having her treatments and she will get better like last time.
I'm not really sure if the yew tree monster is in his mind to help him or if it's real. I like to think it is a little of both. It is there coming to Conor's window trying to get him to come out and talk to it.
I really liked the graphics in this book, they are not not oh and ah, they are just ...more
this book is a perfect modern fairy tale.
not a nice disney one with singing birds where everyone gets to go home with their prince and all of their limbs, but the older, darker kind involving foot-choppery and decimation.
lemme step back a bit. i added this book to my to-read shelf the moment i saw its cover here on goodreads.com. i knew nothing about it except that something in me bellowed "WANT!" i did not win it in the firstreads giveaway (naturally) and as more and more people began writing r ...more
not a nice disney one with singing birds where everyone gets to go home with their prince and all of their limbs, but the older, darker kind involving foot-choppery and decimation.
lemme step back a bit. i added this book to my to-read shelf the moment i saw its cover here on goodreads.com. i knew nothing about it except that something in me bellowed "WANT!" i did not win it in the firstreads giveaway (naturally) and as more and more people began writing r ...more
TEAR JERKER ALERT!
TEAR JERKER ALERT!
OMG, I’m a 40-plus-year-old DUDE and I almost lost it a couple of times.
There is not always a happy ending. I know this, we all know this, in life as in fiction. Hell, I even welcome it sometimes and give a “meh” to too cheesy a Hollywood ending or even a thumbs down to a deus ex machina. As any reader of Cormac McCarthy knows, sometimes the best ending is not the one that leaves us all warm and fuzzy.
Patrick Ness’s 2011 short novel was based on a concept from ...more
TEAR JERKER ALERT!
OMG, I’m a 40-plus-year-old DUDE and I almost lost it a couple of times.
There is not always a happy ending. I know this, we all know this, in life as in fiction. Hell, I even welcome it sometimes and give a “meh” to too cheesy a Hollywood ending or even a thumbs down to a deus ex machina. As any reader of Cormac McCarthy knows, sometimes the best ending is not the one that leaves us all warm and fuzzy.
Patrick Ness’s 2011 short novel was based on a concept from ...more
Oct 04, 2011
Raeleen Lemay
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
own,
young-adult
re-read in 2018
Still incredible. Of course. I actually listened to the audiobook this time around (while flipping through the book to experience the gorgeous illustrations again) and it was FANTASTIC. Jason Isaacs read the book, and of course it was a pleasure to have him tell this story. I recommend this to every single person ever.
first read in 2012
This book was so beautiful.
Still incredible. Of course. I actually listened to the audiobook this time around (while flipping through the book to experience the gorgeous illustrations again) and it was FANTASTIC. Jason Isaacs read the book, and of course it was a pleasure to have him tell this story. I recommend this to every single person ever.
first read in 2012
This book was so beautiful.
Oct 29, 2011
Steph Sinclair
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Everyone of all ages
Recommended to Steph by:
Many of my GRs friends
A Monster Calls has to be the most inventive book I've read this year. And I find myself struggling to put in words how much this book has touched me. But it did. If you haven't read A Monster Calls, I suggest you immediately purchase it. Don't read the e-book because you would miss out on the amazing artwork. This book is stunning. Masterfully written and beautifully drawn.
I remember the first time a book made me cry like this. I was in eighth grade in my English class, sitting under my desk i ...more
Someone please send some chocolate, a hug, and possibly some Irish scotch my way.
I think I'm dying.
If I'm not dead already, that is.
It's half past midnight, I'm an ugly sobbing mess and I think that noise I just heard was either my soul ascending to another dimension or my heart -or what's left of it-
breaking in my chest.
I feel nothing but numbness right now, though, so it could easily be both.
I hate this book so much.
It touched me in some very sensitive spots, rubbed its salty and bookish ...more
I think I'm dying.
If I'm not dead already, that is.
It's half past midnight, I'm an ugly sobbing mess and I think that noise I just heard was either my soul ascending to another dimension or my heart -or what's left of it-
breaking in my chest.
I feel nothing but numbness right now, though, so it could easily be both.
I hate this book so much.
It touched me in some very sensitive spots, rubbed its salty and bookish ...more
Tears. Lots of them.
I don’t think I can write a review for this book. I feel neither equipped, nor inclined, to make an evaluation of A Monster Calls based strictly on its literary style and merits. (Therefore, if you’re looking for an analysis of the plot, characters etc – you will be better served with another review).
So I’m writing a response instead. Or, I will attempt to.
I have a difficult relationship with books that deal with the subject of death and grief.
Occasionally, I find a book that is moving and re ...more
So I’m writing a response instead. Or, I will attempt to.
I have a difficult relationship with books that deal with the subject of death and grief.
Occasionally, I find a book that is moving and re ...more
“Who am I?” The monster repeated. “I am the spine the mountains hang upon! I am the tears the rivers cry! I am the lungs that breathe the wind!...I am everything untamed and untameable! I am this wild earth, come for you Conor O’Malley.”
I enjoyed this tale, though I have to admit I wasn’t as blown away as the masses of other reviewers seemed to be.
I’ve read a lot of books on tough topics, including illness and while I believe this one was done very well it didn’t stand out from among many oth ...more
I enjoyed this tale, though I have to admit I wasn’t as blown away as the masses of other reviewers seemed to be.
I’ve read a lot of books on tough topics, including illness and while I believe this one was done very well it didn’t stand out from among many oth ...more
Feb 05, 2015
Lola
rated it
really liked it
Recommended to Lola by:
Alejandro
Shelves:
fantasy,
love,
short-read,
mental-illness,
school,
middle-grade,
bullying,
monsters,
family
A Monster Calls did not constitute what I first visualized in term of story, plot and themes.
Due to the spooky cover, mystifying title and evasive blurb, my mind pictured something closer to the fantasy world than our contemporary one. Yet, the author remarkably brought together the real and the unreal, inserted in the narration that which touches one, can tear another apart and is a component of what we call ‘‘life,’’ and skilfully unfolded what laid deep inside Conor hidden…in the fragile corn ...more
Due to the spooky cover, mystifying title and evasive blurb, my mind pictured something closer to the fantasy world than our contemporary one. Yet, the author remarkably brought together the real and the unreal, inserted in the narration that which touches one, can tear another apart and is a component of what we call ‘‘life,’’ and skilfully unfolded what laid deep inside Conor hidden…in the fragile corn ...more
❝Your mind will believe comforting lies while also knowing the painful truths that make those lies necessary. And your mind will punish you for believing both.❞
Thank you Goodreads for graciously sending me a signed copy of A Monster Calls!
I'm not crying because this book is sad. I'm crying because this book is my story. It's my family's story. It's my mom's story. A Monster Calls was a difficult book to read. I've seen many readers say they've cried because of the words written on these page ...more
This is great book!
A BOOK FOR EVERYBODY
Very quick to read so if you are interested on it.
You'll find out that you'd read it in no time.
Also, it helps that it's a page turner, since the story has many elements to keep you hooked to it.
I hate to classify books for some specific age, since I think that books shouldn't have any age or genre.
Books should be read by men or women at any age and they should be as good as effective.
However, one can't deny that the author made this story thinking i ...more
A BOOK FOR EVERYBODY
Very quick to read so if you are interested on it.
You'll find out that you'd read it in no time.
Also, it helps that it's a page turner, since the story has many elements to keep you hooked to it.
I hate to classify books for some specific age, since I think that books shouldn't have any age or genre.
Books should be read by men or women at any age and they should be as good as effective.
However, one can't deny that the author made this story thinking i ...more
READ 2 | November 2018
It's been 4 years since I read this and, ridiculous me, thought, "Yeah I was a bit emotional the first time, I wonder if I'll be the same this time..."
WELL I FRIKKIN CRIED SO. (I also suspect I'm getting a little soft in my old age tbh)
I'm still absolutely crushed and made whole by this book. It is a story that's so emotional and vivid in pain and suffering that my heart just broke a thousand times. And reading Ness' note at the end...he was just bringing this one thought t ...more
It's been 4 years since I read this and, ridiculous me, thought, "Yeah I was a bit emotional the first time, I wonder if I'll be the same this time..."
WELL I FRIKKIN CRIED SO. (I also suspect I'm getting a little soft in my old age tbh)
I'm still absolutely crushed and made whole by this book. It is a story that's so emotional and vivid in pain and suffering that my heart just broke a thousand times. And reading Ness' note at the end...he was just bringing this one thought t ...more
i think this is honestly the best book about grief and coping that i have ever read. it was a wonderfully imaginative and truly insightful story. i love how it expressed such a tender subject in a really wild, but gentle, way.
i wish i had half the creativity and story-telling ability that patrick ness has. i cant believe such a powerful message was held within such a tiny book. it just goes to show that you dont need a lot of words to impact someone if they are the right words.
↠ 5 stars
i wish i had half the creativity and story-telling ability that patrick ness has. i cant believe such a powerful message was held within such a tiny book. it just goes to show that you dont need a lot of words to impact someone if they are the right words.
↠ 5 stars
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
“Stories are wild creatures. When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak?”
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Well I am a hot mess of emotions right now. This book was so good and so important. It handled grief so well and I just...I am emotional. I think this book is very important and that lots of people should read it and yeah, that's about it.
THERE WERE TEARS.
Well I am a hot mess of emotions right now. This book was so good and so important. It handled grief so well and I just...I am emotional. I think this book is very important and that lots of people should read it and yeah, that's about it.
THERE WERE TEARS.
It's not a story, it's A Monster.
Don't read it if u r upset..or have a fearing.. don't read it if u lost someone close...don't r
Read it..get it all out..Call the Monster..
وهذه القصة مقصود أن تخلف دمارا، وجعا بالروح..عن الألم، الحزن، الفقدان، العيش بعد موت
Read it..get it all out..Call the Monster..
"القصص كائنات وحشية، عندما تطلقها من يدري ما الدمار الذي يمكن ان تخلفه"It's not a story, it's a Wreaking Ball.
“Stories are wild creatures, When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak?”
وهذه القصة مقصود أن تخلف دمارا، وجعا بالروح..عن الألم، الحزن، الفقدان، العيش بعد موت
A friend told me it's a life lesson.. no, ...more
I feel like every time I love a YA book I start my review with "I don't read a lot of YA, but..."
So, I don't read a lot of... I mean... Hang on...
Patrick Ness is the best YA author out there. If you haven't read the Chaos Walking trilogy then please put everything in your life on hold and go find a copy of The Knife of Never Letting Go. This is the only book I've read from him outside of that series, but this book is just as amazing. I would also recommend picking up a physical copy of the book ...more
So, I don't read a lot of... I mean... Hang on...
Patrick Ness is the best YA author out there. If you haven't read the Chaos Walking trilogy then please put everything in your life on hold and go find a copy of The Knife of Never Letting Go. This is the only book I've read from him outside of that series, but this book is just as amazing. I would also recommend picking up a physical copy of the book ...more
“You were merely wishing for the end of pain,the monster said.Your own pain.An end to how it isolated you.It is the most human wish of all”
Conor has the same dream every night,ever since his mother first fell ill,ever since she started her treatments that don’t seem to be working.
Tonight is different.Tonight when he wakes there is a visitor at his window.
It’s ancient, a force of nature.
And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.
It wants the truth .....
Patrick Ness takes the final ...more
Conor has the same dream every night,ever since his mother first fell ill,ever since she started her treatments that don’t seem to be working.
Tonight is different.Tonight when he wakes there is a visitor at his window.
It’s ancient, a force of nature.
And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.
It wants the truth .....
Patrick Ness takes the final ...more
When going into this book, I was expecting a horror/creepy/spooky story, and that isn't what I got.. exactly. What I mean is that the overall tone of the book is creepy, and the drawings definitely are spooky, but the story itself is a contemporary tale about a boy trying to understand the feelings he has in regards to his mothers illness.
I loved this book. I loved it. It is absolutely now one of my "all-time favourites". Here's why:
1) The illustrations: The artwork in this book is BEAUTIFUL. It ...more
I loved this book. I loved it. It is absolutely now one of my "all-time favourites". Here's why:
1) The illustrations: The artwork in this book is BEAUTIFUL. It ...more
Patrick Ness never disappoints me, so I naturally knew going into this it was going to be impeccable but Jesus nothing could’ve prepared me for how hard this hit.
It was sad and extremely powerful and heartbreaking, and immediately after I was finished reading, I gave both my parents the biggest hug.
The art was beautiful and dark and went perfectly with the story. My only problem with this book was that it didn't make me cry like sooo many people promised it would. Maybe I’m just cold-hearted a ...more
It was sad and extremely powerful and heartbreaking, and immediately after I was finished reading, I gave both my parents the biggest hug.
The art was beautiful and dark and went perfectly with the story. My only problem with this book was that it didn't make me cry like sooo many people promised it would. Maybe I’m just cold-hearted a ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fantasy Buddy Reads: A Monster Calls [Aug 28, 2019] | 14 | 18 | Sep 02, 2019 09:05AM | |
| YA Buddy Readers'...: A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness - Restarting July 27th 2019 | 125 | 351 | Aug 08, 2019 01:29PM | |
| Bookworm Bitches : July 2019: A Monster Calls | 11 | 67 | Jul 28, 2019 02:27PM | |
| Help | 2 | 32 | Apr 14, 2019 12:25PM | |
| Around the Year i...: A Monster Calls, by Patrick Ness | 44 | 175 | Feb 12, 2019 11:02AM |
Readers also enjoyed
Patrick Ness, an award-winning novelist, has written for England’s Radio 4 and Sunday Telegraph and is a literary critic for The Guardian. He has written many books, including the Chaos Walking Trilogy, The Crash of Hennington, Topics About Which I Know Nothing, and A Monster Calls.
He has won numerous awards, including the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, the Booktrust Teenage Prize, and the C ...more
He has won numerous awards, including the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, the Booktrust Teenage Prize, and the C ...more
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