A Monster Calls

4.8

DEAR MOTHER OF GOD PLEASE SPARE THE CHILDREN!!! T_T

I just don't understand why this is a children's book when it's clearly meant for adults??? Nevertheless, here's what I thought of this book.

Like the Chaos Walking trilogy (I've only read ‘The Knife of Never Letting Go', by the way), this novel is filled with gut-wrenching emotional intensity, though it's a very different type of story. The writing is aimed at a younger audience, but Ness doesn't shy away from the complexity that his subject demands.

It's just so powerful to read about young Conor O'Malley's life through his innocent narration, and how the monster reveals all the truths about his life and the end–HOOMAAAYYYGAAHHHDD. I was just sobbing I could barely finish it, and books rarely move me to tears. What the monster shows Conor triggers many emotions at once, I would be greatly surprised if you walked away from this book feeling like you didn't love Conor, or his mother, or his grandmother for the matter. I even loved the monster.

I picked up this book thinking (based mostly on the title and cover) that it would be a standard YA horror. No, it isn't - not AT ALL. It isn't even horror. I was completely blown away by this book, by its heart, its truth, and its story. This book touched me in a personal way. I lost my beloved grandfather to an illness in October 2015. I have been conflicted with many thoughts, emotions - ranging from anger to sadness, to affection that may or may not have been fully expressed, to guilt - for maybe not fully understanding what was happening, maybe not asking enough questions, sometimes feeling like there should have been more that I could have done for him, but somehow knowing there was nothing at all I could do to change their path. Through all of this, I have learned that acceptance is a long and narrow road if you are not willing to let go. Conor's story gave me hope that, god forbid I am ever faced with a struggle like this again, I will have the courage and strength to speak my truth before it is too late.

I'm glad this book exists. Patrick Ness nailed it, even if I'd probably be tempted to slap him if I saw him right now (lol just kidding). I just heard that it's going to be a motion picture soon and I hope they can do it justice. I don't know if the big screen can capture the insane beauty of this book, but I hope it can, so that the message of it can reach more people. This book should be required reading. It should also be sold with tissues T___T