A Monster Calls: Illustrated Paperback by Patrick Ness (Illustrated, 2 Feb 2012) Paperback

Grief stalks every page! Patrick Ness and Jim Kay combine their superb talents to produce a book that creates empathy and understanding of the powerful emotion of grief. A child's journey through fear and confusion as he tries to cope with the terminal illness of his mother, brings not only tears but greater understanding for the enormity of grief on a child's psyche. This book excises the spectre of death and brings, if not consolation, at least understanding of how grief manifests itself in an adolescent. It is the universality of the theme that assists in creating a novel that builds to a climax of almost unbearable suspense.The tree of life becomes the metaphor for grief in a mesmerizing account of a child's solitary journey in facing his Mother's death. This book will be of enormous benefit to any child or adult as they face the ultimate challenge in life, to lose the person they love the most in all the world.

How do I even begin to describe how much I loved this book and how much I cried reading it. At times having to stop because I could not see through the tears. This is such a heartwarming story about Conor who is losing his mom to cancer. I lost my mom a little over a year ago now but through a car accident not cancer, this made me remember her but it also made me remember that it is ok to be angry sometimes. I felt angry at Conor's dad and at times his grandmother but there was not even a single thing that I did not just truly love about this book!This is not just a young adult book this book is a fantastic story about, family, love, loss and grief that I don't know how it would not touch anyone who reads it heart.

Perfect read on those road trips or a day to yourself.Book arrived new and in perfect condition.

This story deals with a child’s grief in such a creative way!

You'll need approximately 10 boxes of tissues to make it to the end of this (doesn't matter how old you are). As always, it's better than the movie. It's written for maybe a middle schooler, but is enjoyable for anyone. If you enjoy this genre (drama, children's fantasy, life lessons) and the synopsis sounds interesting to you, then get it.

The book is very well written, full of tension and truthful messages. I liked the way Ness interwoven the past and the present, discussing many important issues of nowadays. It's great for teenagers in the first place but adults would find it a good read too.

A fantastic book about love, loss, truth and isolation. Seriously keep a box of tissues close when you hit the 80% point.

I loved how this was a kind monster. It is quite sad to see Conor's mom die though. However, overall a brilliant book.

A beautiful edition with glossy pages and haunting illustrations. This is an unforgettable story, touching and introspective, the kind that just sticks with you for a long time.

A Monster Calls es un libro que cala hondo, ¡muy recomendable! Sobretodo para los que se incian a la lectura en Inglés.

Bought this after watching the movie, which hit me in places I didn't know I have. The book was able to more clearly explore Conor's anger than what the movie was able to do, which I appreciate greatly. As painful the story is, I believe it is one that should be read at least once by everyone, if only to learn how to make sense of the mess of emotions that comes with the loss of a loved one.

Emocionante relato de uma das fases do luto, a negação. Não há como não se envolver com o sofrimento desse jovem.

Che dire, un libro come pochi.Non avevo mai letto niente dell'autore, e come primo libro mi ha sicuramente convinto. Una prosa semplice, ma avvolgente, che ti fa immergere nella sfortunata vita del piccolo Connor. Entri in contatto con la delicata situazione familiare. Provando sentimenti contrastanti. Un libro geniale, originale e non smetterò mai di ripeterlo, commovente! Accompagnato da delle stupende illustrazioni. L'inglese è alla portata di tutti, e lo consiglio anche a chi vuole iniziare a leggere in inglese!