Reviews with content warning for Terminal illness - Un monstruo viene a verme

This book was very interesting in that it is a really good display of grief, especially for younger kids, but there’s still the mysterious element of a monster that keeps you wanting to read more.

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maeverose's review against another edition

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3.0

Conor’s grief presents in the form of anger, and leads to him having some very unhealthy and harmful coping mechanisms. While I completely understand that is how some people react to grief, and part of the point of the story was Conor having to learn to heal, I felt that the book focused almost solely on Conor’s feelings and I don’t feel like there was enough emphasis on him changing how he treated others. He kind of just got away with all the bad things he did to other people. Also, all the female characters in the book are framed as mean, or end up getting killed or dying. Lily being the only real exception. This annoyed me a bit.

Another mild thing that annoyed me, even though it was pointed out in the book, was how Conor’s parents wouldn’t be honest with him about what was happening. Yes Conor knew, but I think in a situation like that it’s much more helpful to be honest so your child can mentally prepare. Again, while the book did sort of acknowledge this it was still frustrating.

I do think this book has important messages about how everybody is complicated and our emotions are complicated and that’s okay, but I can’t say I enjoyed the overall reading experience.

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maggieoc_x's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

this hurt.

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emilynied's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

"A Monster Calls" is a low fantasy book written by Patrick Ness. The idea came from Siobhan Dowd, who passed away from cancer in 2007 - I highly recommend you read this article which includes an interview with Dowd's sister, Denise (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/dec/10/monster-calls-film-mum-friend-siobhan-dowd-boy-talking-tree-book). The book tells the story of Conor, who is experiencing nightmares with a "monster" as his mother's health deteriorates. It's only about 230 pages but man, it packs a punch. I had read reviews depicting devastated readers and lots of tears, but I did not anticipate how much I would be affected by this story.

Ness is perfectly able to capture Conor's innermost thoughts and feelings in a nuanced and forceful way, and the plot moves along so fluently as the small accounts from Conor's days at school, with his grandmother and his father began to meld together into his life that felt complete as a reader. Conor's mother is a warm and tender character that shines through and acts as a metaphor for all parental figures I think.

The monster was a mighty choice to represent what it did and I think the revelation at the end of the book was compelling and devastating all at the same time. Ness weaves this story so beautifully, and by the end, I was crying too as I turned the last page. This book speaks to the reader so strongly about love and loss and the power of parental relationships. In the past year, I've watched a family member fight cancer and I think that made this story particularly poignant for me.

I highly recommend the illustrated version with Jim Kay. Please read this book :)

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