The True Tale Of The Monster Billy Dean telt by hisself
David Almond
Puffin
September 2012
$19.99 AU
272p pb
ISBN: 978-0670919062
fp October 2011
The True Tale of the Monster Billy Dean Telt by Hisself’ (sic) by David Almond is a thriller novel based on the life of a fictional boy named Billy. Born on the Day of Doom and locked away from the world by his mother and father, he is brought out into a world of ashes and ruins as the Angel Child, the boy who survived the disastrous bombings on his hometown, Blinkbonny. With the help of a psychic, a butcher and his hairdresser mother, he becomes the Angel Child, and he becomes the monster.
This book is a fascinating read; it would appeal to someone who can look past the obvious spelling mistakes and let the words ‘enter your blood and bones’. The protagonist learns to spell as he writes the story and the book isn’t easy to read, but it helps to add a sense of realism to the story and is such a wonderful and unique way of storytelling. However, there are some mature themes that border on the disturbing, as well as strong language and gore, so I recommend this book to people in Year 9 or above (14+).
All in all, this is a wonderfully dark book that would suit an older reader with a willingness to look past the intended errors in spelling and grammar to see the story within.
Monique, age 15, Canberra, Australia
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