Skip to main content

Book Review: A Monster Calls

A MONSTER CALLS by Patrick Ness
4 Stars
Verdict: Where real nightmares meet imaginary ones


Every night at 12:07 a monster visits Connor, but he's not afraid. Because this isn't the monster from his terrifying dreams. It's not the monster he's afraid of.

Connor's mother is very sick, and everyone at school already knows. No one will talk to him anymore. At home, him and his mother are fine on their own - he can take care of both of them - except now his grandmother is coming to stay, and everyone is trying to have 'the talk'. Except the monster, who visit him to tell him stories. After the third, Connor must tell his story, his truth, but he doesn't understand what it means.

It took me a while to warm to this book, but in the end it's a heart-filled story of dealing with loss. I felt for Connor on every page, and sought the monster's visits as much as he did. The monster's stories explain to you what this story is about, hinting to why he visits, and by the end, I needed to hear Connor's truth as much as he needed to say it.

It's a good, short children's book that can be appreciated by adults too.

Source: Bought it to complete my 2017 reading challenge.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Your Best Character: Quiz and Contest

The best characters are put through hell and yet can still carry the story forward on their broken shoulders. Your plot will fall flat if your characters are one dimensional and strong characters can make a cliché story really shine; characterisation takes work and thought. The key to character development is to ask questions. Maybe spend time thinking about the scenarios that have happened to your character which won’t make the final cut of the novel. The questions below are designed to test that (to some degree). [NOW CLOSED, REVIEWS PENDING] Answer at least 5 of these in a comment with a link to your story and I’ll give you an in-depth review. Reviews are approximately 1000 words and take me well over an hour, so if you’re looking to polish up your manuscript then don’t miss out. Also, the opening chapter with the most interesting and well-developed character will be featured on this blog! Feel free to write about anyone as long as they feature in the same story. You can ans...
9 comments
Read more

Dialogue Marks and Taglines

I’m having to point out how to format taglines on a regular basis now, especially when the dialogue takes the form of a question. I thought I’d throw together a quick guide in hopes that everyone who was unaware will see this and instantly understand... Or even just one person. “I fancy a biscuit,” said Samantha. – And I do (how could you tell?) although that’s not the point. My point is you need a comma after biscuit and ‘said’ is in lowercase because the following words form a tagline. It’s a tagline because it refers to how the dialogue is said or who says it. “I fancy a biscuit.” Samantha grabbed the tin. – There’s no tagline. Therefore you need a full stop and to start a new sentence. “I fancy a biscuit.” She smiled. – This doesn’t refer to how the speech is said. Therefore you need a full stop. “Where are my biscuits?” shouted Samantha. – You need lowercase into the tagline. Think of it as part of the sentence. “My biscuits!” she cried. – Again, lowercase. Whether...
2 comments
Read more

Opening Chapter: Quiz and Contest

The opening chapter is pivotal. It needs to draw in an intended audience – it needs flare and promise of things to come, with writing that earns the reader’s trust, luring them into the next chapter.  I’ve made a quick quiz to test whether your opening has what it takes. You don’t need all of these things for a good chapter. Hell, I bet there are a few I’ve forgotten too! Answer each of the following using evidence from your opening. If you can’t, then maybe you need to spice up the chapter. 1) Is your opening line unique, scene setting, or hooking? 2) What makes your character unique? 3) Pick out your best line of description. 4) Pick out your quirkiest line. 5) Is the genre and sub-genres obvious? 6) Is it clean from silly mistakes – have you read through more than 10 times? 7) Does it end on a cliff-hanger? 8) What makes it different from other novels in that genre? 9) Does it start close to the action? 10) Are you happy with it?...
6 comments
Read more