A Monster Calls - Patrick Ness

From an original idea by Siobhan Dowd.
Published by Walker Books: London, England, 2012 (2011).

This is one of those books I've heard people rave about, and now I understand why.

Technically a children's book, and definitely written with (older) children in mind, A Monster Calls nevertheless confronts some very heavy topics. Conor faces bullying at school, constant nightmares, and now the nightly visit of a monster, but all of this pales alongside the fact that his mother is dying of cancer. I don't remember the word 'cancer' being actually written in the book, but it is very obvious that this is what she is suffering from. It is also very obvious from the beginning that Conor's mother is dying.

The titular monster begins visiting Conor at 12.07 at night, and explains that Conor has 'called' him. The monster says it will now tell him three stories "from when I walked before" (page 45), and then Conor will tell the monster a final story, which will be "the truth...your truth, the one that you hide...the thing you are most afraid of." (page 46) We very quickly realise that each of these stories is going to teach Conor some lesson about life and grief, but even so, the stories take unexpected turns, likely to surprise the reader as they shock Conor. And of course, we know where the story is headed - you may even be able to guess already as to the significance of 12.07. The destination isn't as important as the journey to get there, and the surprisingly difficult lessons Conor must learn. 

This is not an 'easy' children's book. It doesn't sugar-coat death and the sometimes unfair nature of life. It even confronts the idea of survivor's guilt and how hoping for an end to a loved-one's suffering can sometimes seem selfish. Not easy ideas. But powerful ones.

As a Christian I could wish that certain aspects of the book were tweaked a little - the only 'Christian' figure in the book doesn't come across very well - but this is the sort of book that could help with discussing some very difficult concepts, so I'll give it a pass on that front.

Completed 28 December 2022.

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