caffee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
I loved the relationship with his Granddad and the farm but what a harrowing story. I felt strongly for those boys and the way their lives played out. Monsters is the word.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, and Suicide
socratiques's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
fiendfull's review against another edition
4.0
English Monsters is a novel about a boarding school, abuse, and the effect it has on the friendships and lives of the students. Max's childhood is international travel mixed with running around his grandparents' farm, until at the age of ten he is sent to boarding school. The school is full of rules and violent punishment, but Max also ends up with a close group of friends for the few years he is there. As an adult, it turns out there was more going on at the school than he knew, and as the secrets are revealed, the friends make different choices.
This is a novel that very much offers what it says on the tin, from the blurb and title: abuse at a boarding school and the impact on a group of friends. The main focus is on Max, Simon whose mum works at the school, and Luke, whose brother is head boy and whose whole family become part of the novel. These friendships are the highlight of the book, particularly Max and Simon's friendship, which is the constant through each section of the narrative, though at times you almost want more of these relationships instead of focus on other background characters. The choice of Max as protagonist brings an interesting sense of distance and drift, as he is someone without purpose and who was unaware of things going on when he was a child, which makes him feel like the kind of not wholly reliable narrator often associated with stories looking back over academic experiences and friendship groups.
English Monsters is an understated novel that doesn't bring surprises, and which looks at abuse, what happens when victims tell their story, and the importance of friendship. There are elements that feel un- or under-explored as the narrative progresses, but the novel also suggests the complexity and ambiguity in the way different people deal with things.
This is a novel that very much offers what it says on the tin, from the blurb and title: abuse at a boarding school and the impact on a group of friends. The main focus is on Max, Simon whose mum works at the school, and Luke, whose brother is head boy and whose whole family become part of the novel. These friendships are the highlight of the book, particularly Max and Simon's friendship, which is the constant through each section of the narrative, though at times you almost want more of these relationships instead of focus on other background characters. The choice of Max as protagonist brings an interesting sense of distance and drift, as he is someone without purpose and who was unaware of things going on when he was a child, which makes him feel like the kind of not wholly reliable narrator often associated with stories looking back over academic experiences and friendship groups.
English Monsters is an understated novel that doesn't bring surprises, and which looks at abuse, what happens when victims tell their story, and the importance of friendship. There are elements that feel un- or under-explored as the narrative progresses, but the novel also suggests the complexity and ambiguity in the way different people deal with things.
laurenmckane's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
laurenleyendolibros's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I’d been waiting for this book to come out since I read a very interesting review – I was expecting a kind of English, male My Dark Vanessa. And though that description is not wholly inaccurate, it’s not exactly the book I was expecting.
It’s January 1987 and ten-year-old Max is sent off to prep school near his grandparents’ house (his parents work abroad) and during his three years there we learn about the cruelty and eventual physical and sexual abuse the pupils face there.
At first, Max makes it sound like a big adventure – some punishments, yes, but especially given that this is fiction nothing too shocking. And the time actually spent at school is a relatively short part of the book – it’s more a story of how trauma can follow you through life. The more sensitive, difficult to read parts come later.
I can’t help but think 1987 is significant given that until 1986 corporal punishment was legal in ALL schools in the UK and helps the author with his ‘private schools are bad’ thesis. Just as a side note, CP was legal in fee-paying schools until 1998 (outrageous, I know!) but bear in mind, the fact that it was legal certainly does not mean that it was in practice everywhere. Even so, I think that’s all besides the point as the real issue in this book is the trauma of sexual abuse, which was never legal anywhere (obviously).
In the end, it’s not quite the book I expected – I really thought I would like it more. I did read it quickly though. I found myself liking the scenes with the Grandad, even if I thought he was a bit sinister at first, they reminded me a bit of Unsettled Ground.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Suicide and Suicide attempt
phee's review
4.0
Hints of dark academia, a story of friendship, growing up, tinged with the shadow of abuse and damage done in youth. Took my sweet time with this one and enjoyed it all the more for it.
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