From the Bookshelf of JoCo Library Teens…

A Monster Calls

Patrick Ness,

Jim Kay (Illustrator)

Start date: April 1, 2012

Finish date: April 30, 2012

Discussion: Group Reads

Why we're reading this: Holden has chosen "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness for our April group read.…more
[close] Holden has chosen "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness for our April group read.

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By Elliott , The Awesome Mod · 2 posts · 5 views

last updated Feb 02, 2013 02:06PM

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Sep 14, 2011 wulfe rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Connor O'Malley is thirteen years old and is plagued with the same horrifying nightmare over and over. His world is made up of a father who lives across the world and will make a rare appearance every once in a Very Long Time, he does not (at all, in the slightest bit) get along with his grandmother, and his mother whom he lives with is extremely sick. He constantly struggles with this fact everyday at school and at home, but he can't seem to come to terms with what is happening in his life. So Connor O'Malley is thirteen years old and is plagued with the same horrifying nightmare over and over. His world is made up of a father who lives across the world and will make a rare appearance every once in a Very Long Time, he does not (at all, in the slightest bit) get along with his grandmother, and his mother whom he lives with is extremely sick. He constantly struggles with this fact everyday at school and at home, but he can't seem to come to terms with what is happening in his life. So when a monster shows up in the middle of the night at Connor's house, he expects it to be the monster from his nightmares. Except it's not, and what it wants from him is not easy to give. A Monster is Calling and he wants the Truth.

I don't really think one can do this book justice just by talking about it, but I'll try my best. It's one of those books that plunges its hand into your chest and absolutely rips your heart out. (In a good kind of way.) There is really no other way to describe it with words, other than POWERFUL.

So apparently some people think this is a children's book. I say otherwise. Yes, it is great for (mature) children, but don't let the pictures fool you; this is perfect for young adults and adults as well. It tackles the touchy subject of Dealing With Life and being honest with yourself and it does so quite nicely. The writing doesn't get bogged down. It's a light (rephrasing: quick) read and very clean, clear, to the point, and most importantly, enjoyable. Still, A Monster Calls is a Think Long and Hard About Your Life kind of book and I walked away with a message that changed me forever and barely restrained tears. And of course the pictures are amazing. But they deserve their own little paragraph.

Okay, so the pictures. Wow. I mean WOW! They are absolutely amazing. I enjoy the fuzzy, "not everything is clear but it seems so real and solid" kind of effect that is hard to put into words. Plus they're in black and white, which seems to just finish everything off perfectly. Apparently the illustrator, Jim Kay, used everything from "beetles to breadboards to create interesting marks and textures". I would say he passed with flying colors.

Overall, this is one of those books that everyone should read at least once in their lifetime. Seriously, you'll be doing yourself a favor by picking this one up. ...more

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Mar 08, 2017 Deidre rated it really liked it

Devastatingly real.

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Oct 25, 2011 Elliott rated it it was amazing

Oct 07, 2022 Abbey marked it as to-read · review of another edition

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