A Monster Calls in Around the World in 80 Books

Oct 25, 2018 Stil de scriitor rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

O carte foarte frumoasa si sensibila. Recenzia completa curand.

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Nov 16, 2011 mstan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: for-young-adults-or-children, american, src-winter-2011-12, favourite-ya

This is really 4 stars, with 1* going to the gorgeous black and white art.

I've seen the 'monster' used in this particular concept before - most recently in I Kill Giants. But the idea of the monster here is actually more nuanced and unexpected. Sure, the adult may be able to see the forest for the (yew) trees and figure things out earlier, but the bitter pleasure of the twist is still present in each of the stories nestled in the narrative, as well as in Conor's life itself.

There is the feel of This is really 4 stars, with 1* going to the gorgeous black and white art.

I've seen the 'monster' used in this particular concept before - most recently in I Kill Giants. But the idea of the monster here is actually more nuanced and unexpected. Sure, the adult may be able to see the forest for the (yew) trees and figure things out earlier, but the bitter pleasure of the twist is still present in each of the stories nestled in the narrative, as well as in Conor's life itself.

There is the feel of Philip Pullman's Clockwork about the story - the same sense of dread and macabre fairy tales come to life. Yet Conor's 'real' life outside of his mother's debilitating condition is equally awful - loneliness at school, estrangement from a childhood friend, having to bear the odd taunts of a rather robotic boy with two henchmen. I liked these complex layers of horror, but what I didn't like/get was the strange melding of the paranormal feel of Harry (the bully) with the realistic feel of school life; the other part I disliked quite a bit was how Ness had the 'American' father use strange words on his son, like 'sport', which I seriously have never heard any American use... so it surprised me that Ness is an American. Still, these are rather minor complaints given that they did not disrupt the pleasure I took in the overall flow of the story.

It was weird too how this modern fairy tale of a book could make me think of an issue that happens to me at work a lot - the way teachers treat students who are having a challenging time at home. It would have been a revelation to me as a beginning teacher (some years ago!) that Conor hates the preferential treatment he receives, and feels all the more invisible because of it. But my more experienced colleagues have taught me that students need to be treated equitably at school because that is the way life works, because school provides a structured environment where there may be none at home, and because where we may think we are doing the most right, we may actually be doing the most wrong.

PS: When it comes to the issue of dealing with illness in a loved one, Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie, a realistic YA (middle-grade) novel, is equally good, and funny, besides. ...more

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Dec 09, 2019 Ann rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2019-atw-80

I downloaded the audiobook for a bus ride because it was short. My scarf was drenched with my tears. The author took a universal theme and made it fresh. I really liked the addition of the three stories with nuanced endings and a reminder that life isn't binary. I would recommend the book to everyone but it feels like wishing everyone can see a thestral. Coincidentally, Jim Kay illustrated this book and the Harry Potter series. Another Harry Potter "favorite", Jason Isaacs, read for the audioboo ...more

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Dec 24, 2016 Jade rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult

This was perhaps not the best choice to deal with Christmas time sadness. Now I'm crying. ...more

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Dec 18, 2016 Tok rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: book-i-own

สะเทือนใจ ถ้าจะมีปัญหาก็แค่เรื่อง 'การมีตัวตน' เนี่ยแหละ แต่ก็แค่นิดหน่อย ...more

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Oct 26, 2011 Astrid Lim rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: british, dysfunctional-family, sicklit, children, magical-realism, middle-grade, tearjerker, allegory

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 ...more

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