Review: A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Title: A Monster Calls
Author: Patrick Ness, Jim Kay (Illustrator) (Inspired by an idea from Siobhan Dowd)
Published: September 15, 2011
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Genre: Children's Fantasy
Pages: 215
Source: Purchased
Rating: 5 stars
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“Stories are wild creatures, the monster said. When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak?”
― Patrick Ness, A Monster Calls

Synopsis
The monster showed up after midnight. As they do.

But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting. He's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming...

This monster is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.

It wants the truth. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
Back in the day, I was a BIG Roald Dahl fan. At the start of A Monster Calls, I was reminded of The BFG, short for The Big Friendly Giant. In both books, a large monster, or giant, comes in the middle of the night to the bedroom window of a child, or teen, who is having trouble sleeping. After that, all similarities between these two stories cease, and A Monster Calls veers off onto a darker path. It almost made me long for the adventures of Giant Country because A Monster Calls is not an easy book to read, but it is still such a rewarding, meaningful read nonetheless.

In A Monster Calls, Conor's mother has fought cancer for several years now, and while she has always gotten better before, the treatments aren't working as well anymore. Conor is having trouble facing this reality, and he refuses to believe that his mother may be gone soon. With his father living in another country with a new family, bullies at school, and constant nightmares of a monster disturbing his sleep, Conor is barely holding it together. That's when the monster arrives. Instead of feeling terrified, a natural reaction to seeing a monster, Conor could care less. This monster is nothing compared to the other monster that awaits him in his sleep.

A Monster Calls brilliantly explores the darker sides of reality by entering into fantasy. For Conor, the reality that he will lose his mother soon is too painful to accept. I loved how the monster's storytelling and visits forced Conor to slowly emerge from his state of denial. Despite the elements of fantasy, A Monster Calls is very realistic and emotionally moving. In fact, the slivers of fantasy help the reader better understand Conor's suffering. The story was beautifully written with all these genius subtleties; I couldn't help but be blown away. After I turned the last page, I realized that there were so many lessons to be learned from this book and I was taken completely unawares by each and every one of them. None of them were screaming and clamoring to be heard. They were skillfully worked in so that they snuck up on you.

Conor felt unbelievably real to me. I may not have wanted to dive headfirst into his sorrow, but I was helpless to put down the book. The story captured my attention and held it until the ending. Conor was far from a static character. I witnessed his rage, his depression, and his cries for help and attention. I watched as he endured this difficult time in his life all by himself. I shared in his frustrations and his vehement denials. I really sympathized with Conor, and I think A Monster Calls will deeply resonate with anyone who has ever lost a loved one or has felt overwhelming grief. Just be prepared with a box of Kleenex.

I enjoy nothing more than a well-written story, and A Monster Calls offers up a few thought-provoking, fascinating tales. These stories blur the lines between right and wrong, black and white. I was anticipating a predictable ending for each of these, but, boy, was I ever wrong. These stories raise some interesting questions, leading you to doubt all your moral beliefs.

A Monster Calls was inspired by Siobhan Dowd's original idea. Unfortunately, Dowd was unable to write this book before she died from breast cancer:

"She had the characters, a detailed premise, and a beginning. What she didn't have, unfortunately, was time." ― Patrick Ness

Ness wrote the book and did a damn good job bringing Dowd's dream to life. I like to think that this story made sure it was heard, and I am so happy it was written despite the sad loss of its intended author. A Monster Calls was an exceptional read that I would recommend to anyone and everyone.