December 2011- A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

[Jennifer W, WT Moderator]

Use this thread to discuss December's group read, A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. This was our themed selection of "fantastical realism," you can discuss if this book seems to be a fantastical realistic book or not, if you like.

Please mark spoilers.

Enjoy!

[Kellee]

Oh my goodness! If you haven't read this book, you have to! It is such a heart-wrenching, wonderful book.

[Angela Sunshine]

It definitely tops my 2011 reads list. Patrick Ness really knows how to get you to invest in his characters.

[Miss Bookiverse]

I loved the book as well! It was my first book by Patrick Ness and I loved his writing style... those abrupt sentence endings were great.

And the monster was so scary! Especially in connection with the drawings but I loved how Conor wasn't afraid of it at all.

[Krista]

Silly question (and perhaps already answered somewhere else, if so then feel free to send me there)...

What is "fantastical realism?"

[Angela Sunshine]

Krista wrote: "Silly question (and perhaps already answered somewhere else, if so then feel free to send me there)...

What is "fantastical realism?""

Fantastical realism is similar to magical realism, which is described here:

Magical realism is a literary genre that has sometimes frustrated critics who have been unable to define the style with any precision. However, certain traits are singled out as being typical of the genre. Magical realism, as the name would imply, is a story that is set in a mostly realistic setting, but with some magical elements. Finally, the narrator, if there is one, takes a tone toward the fantastical elements that would indicate that she finds them completely normal.

(taken from ehow.com)

[Krista]

Perfect! That's exactly the style of magic and fantasy I prefer to read. I just never knew what to call it! Most excellent. Now I'm even more excited to find a copy of A Monster Calls and dig in!

Much gratitude to you, Angela!

[Krista]

Just picked up my copy! Hoping to snack on it this weekend and throughout next week.

[Angela Sunshine]

Krista wrote: "Just picked up my copy! Hoping to snack on it this weekend and throughout next week."

I hope you enjoy it!

[Lydia]

This is undoubtedly one of the powerful books I have read in years!! I am amazed by Kay's black and white art work, and the beautiful metaphor of Ness' work. I hope to find one of Dowd's works, just to see what was her style of writing.

Oh, I just cannot recommend this book highly enough!!

[Angela Sunshine]

Lydia wrote: "This is undoubtedly one of the powerful books I have read in years!! I am amazed by Kay's black and white art work, and the beautiful metaphor of Ness' work. I hope to find one of Dowd's works, jus..."

I bought Bog Child for the same reason!

[Lydia]

I also read Bog Child and thought it outstanding! I can totally recommend it.

[Meghan]

I can't believe I CRIED like a baby at the end! What a deliciously quick yet pognant slice of novel. Loved it!

[Kellee]

Meghanly wrote: "I can't believe I CRIED like a baby at the end! What a deliciously quick yet pognant slice of novel. Loved it!"

I know! I couldn't stop crying after I finished. I just sat and sobbed for a while.

[Angela Sunshine]

I finished it at my son's optometry appointment. I had to put on my sunglasses!!

[Kellyflower]

Did anyone read the eBook copy of this book? I just got it out on Overdrive and noticed it has only 124 pages.
I'm guessing it's missing a lot of something. Maybe the illustrations?

Would the story still be great with out the illustrations?

[Ann]

I think the story would still be great without the illustrations, yes. But I also think that they add a lot, so if you can get a copy with illustrations, I would do it! But if you can't don't worry overmuch. They are a perfect addition, but the strength of the book rests on the wonderful writing.

[Kellyflower]

Thanks Ann. I was getting impatient..I'm number 6 in line for the book at the library, but could get the ebook now.

[Krista]

I just finished this book last night. Wow! Simply, wow. The emotions just leap off the pages and grab you. You're sucked in without even knowing it and then pulled in each of the direction of grief. Anyone who has experienced grief in any of its many forms can relate to this read, and what a beautiful way of weaving a tale to help others coping with grief understand their emotions. I'm so delighted I picked up and read this book along with Wild Things. Thank you for the recommendation! This is one book that will stay with me for many, many years to come.

[Zuleeza]

Finished this just now. Still got some tear streaks left. Just realized my stomach is growling because I couldn't put the book down.

I got a question though. (view spoiler)[What really made Harry stop bullying Conor? (hide spoiler)] I think I somehow missed that part.

[Krista]

Zuleeza - How do you do the "spoiler" tag? I'd love to share with you my theory to answer your question, but want to be sure not to spoil for others.

[Zuleeza]

Krista of the Many Sparkles and and Shimmies wrote: "Zuleeza - How do you do the "spoiler" tag? I'd love to share with you my theory to answer your question, but want to be sure not to spoil for others."

Hi Krista. Just put whatever you had in mind sandwiched between these; and then remove the dots at the end of the word spoilers. I had to put the dots or else the 'view spoiler' tag would be created unintentionally.

Love to hear your theory ^_^

[Stephenie]

I have to read this book now!

[Ann]

Zuleeza wrote: "I got a question though. [spoilers removed] I think I somehow m..."

My thoughts on this question, although I don't have the book in front of me, so I can't check:(view spoiler)[I don't remember Harry stopping the bullying. Well, theoretically after Conor beats him to a pulp it stopped to the extent that Harry wasn't there any more. But right up to that point Harry was still being a bully. The "I don't see you" comment was the most extreme form of bullying, not just physical but psychological. In one of the early bully scenes Harry pretends to punch Conrad and Conor doesn't make a move to block the blow, which alerts Harry to the fact that deep down Conor *wants* to be punished/hit. So Harry refuses to play into that. Instead, he does what is even crueler by declaring that Conor simply doesn't exist. (hide spoiler)] One of the few criticisms I've seen of the book is questioning whether a kid Harry's age would be savvy enough to figure all that out. But Harry's not just a bully, he's repeatedly made out to be a very intelligent one with high charisma, which means he understands other people very well.

[Zuleeza]

Ann wrote: "Zuleeza wrote: "I got a question though. [spoilers removed] I think I somehow m..."

My thoughts on this question, although I don't have the book in front of me, so I can't check:[spoilers removed]..."

Thanks Ann. That's a very well-thought answer, somehow I feel like I can 'let go' of this book without having mind-bogging questions anymore.

If anyone else would like to share their thoughts, I'm more happy to hear them (or technically read them) ^_^

[Krista]

Zuleeza - Thank you for explaining how to do the spoiler tag. I appreciate your assistance. And, I agree with Ann's response. That's pretty much the same as what I was going to type back. :o)

[Krista]

For anyone who might be interested, this morning I happened across a free short story by Patrick Ness, The New World. It appears to be a prequel to his Chaos Walking series.

http://www.amazon.com/World-FREE-shor...

[Maree]

Oh wow, I totally missed this thread. Here's my review:

"This was a lovely story about dealing with debilitating long illness in the family. Conor's mother is sick and getting worse by the day, and I love how his nightmares come to life in the form of a monster as well. I liked the stories with in the book especially, and how they weren't typical fairy tales but tales of more modern day reality.

The illustrations were amazing as well. I loved the black and white, and the rough textures used. They made the book a lot shorter than I expected, but it was still a great read with truth behind it."

[Melissa]

I am a 7th &8th grade librarian. I thought this book was incredible. However, I am not certain who to recommend it too... because it is so emotional. Teachers, librarians and parents: what audience do you see this book for? Will younger teens get it? Would it be too much for someone who has just experienced a loss? I find myself wanting to recommend the book (only to adults so far), but with a warning that you will probably cry--which is making some of them shy away!

[Letitia]

I could easily recommend this book to some of our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade readers that I know will be able to appreciate the story-line, while dealing with the emotional undercurrent. I'm not sure I would recommend it to someone currently going through a loss or who may be dealing with one soon. At the same time, I wouldn't recommend it to an adult in that situation either. Most people, looking for a well-written book, based on a Irish legend, will enjoy this book even while it makes them sad.