A Monster Calls
by Patrick Ness
(based on idea originally by Siobhan Dowd)
At seven minutes past midnight, thirteen-year-old Conor wakes to find a monster outside his bedroom window. But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting-- he's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments. The monster in his backyard is different. It's ancient. And wild. And it wants something from Conor. Something terrible and dangerous. It wants the truth. (description from Amazon.com)
I really loved this book. Not only was the story great... it's a boy dealing with his grief in an unusual way... but the illustrations were a *perfect* match for the author's tale. This book was dark and haunting, sad and thrilling, dangerous and loving. It was exceeding well done and the fact that it is based from an idea that the late Siobhan Dowd came up with just adds another layer of special to the book.
Well worth checking out! *And have a box of tissues nearby...just in case*
We just got this in on audio, but since you said the illustrations were great, I'll have to read it!
ReplyDeleteYes, I think the dark, dangerous illustration style really adds a whole dimension to the story. While the audio may be good (I haven't listened, so I don't know...) I think you would be missing out without seeing the physical book.
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