A Monster Calls
User reviews
8 reviews
Overall rating
4.6
Plot
4.5(8)
Characters
4.6(8)
Writing Style
4.5(8)
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A(0)
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Unflinchingly honest
Overall rating
5.0
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A Monster Calls is an unflinchingly honest story. It talks about our darkest, innermost secrets and how we leave certain things unsaid because we're afraid that speaking them aloud will make them real. It speaks of guilt, responsibility, grief, and loss. Most importantly, it speaks about love, and just how difficult it is to let go.
As many reviewers have mentioned, you really must read the paper copy of this book so that you don't miss out on the beautiful, dark, and sometimes haunting illustrations that accompany this story. They were done by the incredibly talented Jim Kay, and some samples can be found on his website.
Coner is a character that everyone can relate to, whether they've been in the same situation as him or not. He feels invisible, misunderstood, angry, and confused. His complete belief and hope in his mother's recovery was both inspiring and heartbreaking, and there were many times where I just wanted to reach into the book and hug him.
I just loved the monster. To me, he was the embodiment of truth: paradoxical in all ways, and not always the easiest to face. As the yew tree, the monster was both capable of healing (through the treatment) and harming (through the poisonous berries) an individual. It was able to show Coner difficult and confusing truths about the world itself: that good and evil aren't as clear-cut as we'd like to imagine; that sometimes being seen is worse than being invisible; that stories are incredibly important; that sometimes it's easier to lie to ourselves than to face the truth. Most importantly, though, the monster showed Coner the truth that he had been hiding from himself, and how his thoughts are just that: thoughts.
A Monster Calls is something that everyone should read, whether they've experienced loss or not. We cannot all have a monster calling our name to teach us important truths, which is why this story is so important: it's beautiful, powerful, heart-wrenching, and healing. It reminds us to treasure every moment, to love fiercely, and to forgive both ourselves and those around us. It's a story that touched me personally, and will resonate with me for quite some time.
As many reviewers have mentioned, you really must read the paper copy of this book so that you don't miss out on the beautiful, dark, and sometimes haunting illustrations that accompany this story. They were done by the incredibly talented Jim Kay, and some samples can be found on his website.
Coner is a character that everyone can relate to, whether they've been in the same situation as him or not. He feels invisible, misunderstood, angry, and confused. His complete belief and hope in his mother's recovery was both inspiring and heartbreaking, and there were many times where I just wanted to reach into the book and hug him.
I just loved the monster. To me, he was the embodiment of truth: paradoxical in all ways, and not always the easiest to face. As the yew tree, the monster was both capable of healing (through the treatment) and harming (through the poisonous berries) an individual. It was able to show Coner difficult and confusing truths about the world itself: that good and evil aren't as clear-cut as we'd like to imagine; that sometimes being seen is worse than being invisible; that stories are incredibly important; that sometimes it's easier to lie to ourselves than to face the truth. Most importantly, though, the monster showed Coner the truth that he had been hiding from himself, and how his thoughts are just that: thoughts.
A Monster Calls is something that everyone should read, whether they've experienced loss or not. We cannot all have a monster calling our name to teach us important truths, which is why this story is so important: it's beautiful, powerful, heart-wrenching, and healing. It reminds us to treasure every moment, to love fiercely, and to forgive both ourselves and those around us. It's a story that touched me personally, and will resonate with me for quite some time.
Michal 'A Monster Calls' review
Overall rating
4.3
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this book is a very good book. If you read it you'll be impressed. This book is featured for everyone but mostly adults read it. This book makes you have different feelings unlike other books. Its about a monster that is trying to help conor to let go his mum because she has a cancer. Its an awesome book you have to try to read it.
bethany monster called
I think whoever reads this book will argee with me that is a very mysterious and puzzling read. I think it is for 11 to 14 years olds. The monster is a yew tree that is trying to help conor let go of his mum who has cancer.
I think that the book is very puzzling foe me to undstand.
I think that the book is very puzzling foe me to undstand.
Hi
Overall rating
5.0
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It is a very good book
a monster calls book review by emma
Overall rating
4.3
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I loved this book.I didn't think it was my style as im in to Equine books,but this proved me wrong!Its about a young boy called Conor who had a yew tree in the back garden and had mum had cancer,the yew told stories to Conor and taught him to let go.The age for this book is 11-14 but i think its good for any age even our teacher loves it! i recomend this to anyone!!!
A Monster Calls by m,e
(Updated: May 17, 2013)
Overall rating
4.3
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It is a very good book a good plot and as it is baced on a real story of a womans life it is very good.
A monster calls (by kayleigh)
Overall rating
5.0
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Amazing book! The author uses a style wchich not alot of authors can use properly!
this book should have a sequal but that might ruin it though. I love this book and I would read it again!
this book should have a sequal but that might ruin it though. I love this book and I would read it again!
8E review
Overall rating
4.3
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This book is amazing!
Good Points
I like the way that Conor's personal crisis is connected to the old stories the monster tells. These stories each have a lesson and raise provoking questions for Conor that will also make readers think – the morals are never quite what readers expect.
Though it includes the supernatural, this book is realistic and portrays school life particularly well. The characters are well crafted and each have a part to play in the story. Their conversations are real, they react to the situation just as people in their position would. Because of this, readers become very involved with the story.
This book is heartrending and will make grief and loss real even for those who have never lost someone in their life. The inevitable ending is always at the back of readers' minds but when it comes it is sadder than ever. This poignant and moving story will make readers sad long after they have read the final page. This book had me on the verge of tears.
Though it includes the supernatural, this book is realistic and portrays school life particularly well. The characters are well crafted and each have a part to play in the story. Their conversations are real, they react to the situation just as people in their position would. Because of this, readers become very involved with the story.
This book is heartrending and will make grief and loss real even for those who have never lost someone in their life. The inevitable ending is always at the back of readers' minds but when it comes it is sadder than ever. This poignant and moving story will make readers sad long after they have read the final page. This book had me on the verge of tears.
9 results - showing 1 - 9
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