A Monster Calls
Patrick Ness
(from an original idea by Siobhan Dowd)
illustrations
by
Jim Kay
Walker Books
November 2012
$18.95 AU
216p pb
ISBN: 978-1406336511
fp July 2011
A Monster Calls, is a beautifully illustrated young adult novel by Patrick Ness. The original idea came from Siobban Dowd, whose premature death from cancer prevented her from writing it herself. Ness had never met Dowd but was asked to finish the book for her. This could have been a recipe for disaster but instead produced an amazingly moving story. It tells the story of Conor, a thirteen year old boy who struggles to cope with the consequences of his mother's terminal cancer. Ness knows how to capture so many emotions in so few words. Jim Kay’s hauntingly beautiful illustrations really add to the tone of the story. It is an extremely sad story about coming to terms with loss. You’ll need a box of tissues…If you've ever been through any kind of grief, this book will really hit home. Monster Calls has received a number of well deserved awards and honours and I would recommend everyone go out and read it now.
Kylie, Canberra, Australia
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