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A Monster Calls: Inspired by an Idea from Siobhan Dowd Audiobook
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(4.00) - 15,060 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The monster showed up after midnight. As they do.
But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting. He’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming....
This monster, though, is something different. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor. It wants the truth.
Patrick Ness spins a tale from the final story idea of Siobhan Dowd, whose premature death from cancer prevented her from writing it herself. Darkly mischievous and painfully funny, A Monster Calls is an extraordinarily moving novel about coming to terms with loss from two of our finest writers for young adults.
“Compelling...powerful and impressive.” —Philip Pullman, author of the award-winning His Dark Materials trilogy
“Exceptional...this is storytelling as it should be—harrowing, lyrical, and transcendent.” —Meg Rosoff, author of the Printz Award–winning novel How I Live Now
“Brilliant and elegant, with all the thrills and ambition you would expect from the author of the Chaos Walking trilogy.” —Frank Cottrell Boyce, award-winning author of Millions and Cosmic
“Haunting, lyrical, powerful, and true. Patrick Ness has crafted a masterful story about grief and loss, love and hope that lingers in the heart like a ghost.” —Libba Bray, author of the Printz Award-winning novel Going Bovine
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"This was a quick read, but enjoyable. I wasn't entirely sure which direction it was taking the story, but I was pleasantly surprised by the end message. It's a good life lesson, and pays to remind ourselves that our minds will doubt all our thoughts, from every angle, but you can't let that destroy you... and that actions speak louder than words. I LOVED the illustrations in this book. I went out and bought it after reading it (from the library the first time)!"
— Chelsea (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“There’s no denying it: this is one profoundly sad story. But it’s also wise, darkly funny, and brave, told in spare sentences, punctuated with fantastic images and stirring silences. Past his sorrow, fright, and rage, Conor ultimately lands in a place—an imperfect one, of course—where healing can begin. A Monster Calls is a gift from a generous storyteller and a potent piece of art.”
— New York Times -
“Profoundly moving, expertly crafted…A singular masterpiece…Tackles the toughest of subjects by refusing to flinch, meeting the ugly truth about life head-on with compassion, bravery, and insight.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“A brilliantly executed, powerful tale.”
— School Library Journal (starred review) -
“Ness twists out a resolution that is revelatory in its obviousness, beautiful in its execution, and fearless in its honesty.”
— Booklist (starred review) -
“A nuanced tale that draws on elements of classic horror stories to delve into the terrifying terrain of loss…Ness brilliantly captures Conor’s horrifying emotional ride as his mother’s inevitable death approaches…A poignant tribute to the life and talent of Siobhan Dowd and an astonishing exploration of fear.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review) -
“A masterpiece about life and loss that will stay with the reader long after the final page.”
— Library Media Connection (starred review)
Awards
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Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books, Best Teen Fiction 2011
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Winner of the 2012 Carnegie Medal for Literature
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A 2012 ALA Top Book Nominee for Teens
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A 2011 Publishers Weekly Best Book: Children's Fiction
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A 2011 Los Angeles Times Book Prize Nominee for Young Adult Literature
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A New York Times Bestseller
A Monster Calls Listener Reviews
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" This a very good book, "
— Amanda , 1/10/2017 -
" Emotionally wrenching, but ultimately satisfying novel exploring the themes of death, dying, and grief. "
— Sabrina, 2/5/2014 -
" I thought this story very useful, to explain children's feelings through the death of parents. I wish this book was available for my son when my father-in-law died. "
— Linda, 1/27/2014 -
" This is such a sad and moving story. Beautifully written. "
— Martha, 1/25/2014 -
" I was given this book for Mother's Day yesterday. Finished already. So tenderly written and yet so dark and powerful. The ending almost made me cry. Beautiful! "
— Jane, 1/13/2014 -
" This is a book that I initially thought my 10 year-old might like. And he might, but I think and older child would have a greater appreciation for the message of this story. It is heart-breaking and honest and wonderful. Definitely one of my new favorite Children's/YA books. "
— Chris, 1/8/2014 -
" Beautiful story about a boy coming to terms with his single mother's impending death. This could easily have drifted toward melodrama, but it's written in such a compelling and likeable manner that the payoff is genuinely emotional. Strongly recommend. "
— Frank, 1/1/2014 -
" Not my cup of tea at all. I found it very difficult to get into "
— Sue, 11/20/2013 -
" Loved it. One of the most touching and sad books I've read. "
— Andy, 10/9/2013 -
" If I could give this book 6 stars I would. "
— Terry, 10/7/2013 -
" This book just broke my heart a little "
— Leeanne, 9/11/2013 -
" Cannot describe this book accurately. I loved it. Plain and simple "
— Mary, 4/28/2013 -
" Oh man. This book really got to me. But I'm glad I read it. "
— Cynthia, 1/14/2013 -
" 4.5 stars. Cried like a baby at the end. Such a good book. "
— Sandy, 8/19/2012 -
" Another good book by Patrick Ness. The book I bought was also beautifully illustrated which made it a pleasure to read. "
— Fiona, 7/31/2012 -
" Prachtig en ontroerend boek over rouwverwerking. Heeft niet voor niets heel veel prijzen gewonnen in het Engelse taalgebied. Een van de weinige boeken die me aan het huilen bracht. "
— Annemieke, 2/26/2012 -
" Interesting - dreams - reality - sorrow - just read it and see what you think. Do dreams ever become real? "
— Joy, 2/18/2012 -
" A great book well outside of my regular reading comfort-zone. I liked it more than I wanted to, and had trouble putting it down. "
— Jamie, 11/19/2011 -
" I was a little hesitant because of the cover but this was a wonderful book about a boy dealing with him mother's cancer. I would recommend for Middle Schoolers. "
— Gina, 11/7/2011 -
" AMAZING!!!!!! Can't get this one out of my head! "
— Laurie, 11/6/2011 -
" What a powerful ending! It might have been a little didactic, but it was so emotional I was willing to overlook it.<br/><br/>Oh the whole, the novel felt a little incomplete. Plot-wise it is a fairly straight path from A to B and minor characters are unexplored. "
— Christie, 11/5/2011 -
" Oh, jeez. Excellent book, but I think I cried a bucket with this one. Patrick Ness, you jerk. "
— Brooke, 11/4/2011 -
" Painful and powerful. I can't really think of that much more to say except read it...now. "
— Ms., 11/3/2011 -
" Just finished drying up tears enough to say, HOLY S**T!!! I expected it, but didn't expect it, but then...<br/><br/>I can't even make sense. LOVVVED this! This is a must read! "
— Melissa, 11/3/2011 -
" Powerful story that I could not put down. One negative: really really sore eyes. "
— Andrea, 11/1/2011 -
" Very deep and symbolic for a YA book. I enjoyed it but I don't think my 11-year-old is going to dig it. "
— Amy, 10/9/2011
About Patrick Ness
Patrick Ness is best known for his books for young adults, including the Chaos Walking trilogy and More Than This. Twice in a row—for Monsters of Men and A Monster Calls—he won the Carnegie Medal, the oldest and most prestigious book award for children’s writing in the UK. A Monster Calls was also the first book ever to simultaneously win the Carnegie Medal and the Kate Greenaway Medal for illustration. Ness has taught creative writing at Oxford University and is a literary critic for the Guardian. Born in Virginia, he lives in London.
About the Narrators
Jason Isaacs is a BAFTA, Emmy, and Golden Globe–nominated actor. His film work includes playing Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, Colonel Tavington in The Patriot, Captain Hook and Mr. Darling in Peter Pan, as well as starring in the war movies Black Hawk Down and Green Zone. On TV his credits include Jackson Brodie in Case Histories, Sir Mark Brydon in The State Within, Michael Caffee in Brotherhood, and Michael Britten in Awake. He is currently filming the action-adventure event series Dig for USA Network from the minds behind Heroes and Homeland, to premiere in late 2014.
Nick Podehl is a professional voice actor. He has narrated numerous audiobooks, many of which have won prestigious awards, including fourteen AudioFile Earphones Awards. He currently lives and works around Grand Rapids, Michigan, with his wife.