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 one 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 is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.
It wants the truth.
Conception: Siobhan Dowd
Illustrator: Jim Kay
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Date Published: September 15, 2011
Pages: 224
This book has been talked about a lot
over social media and I was eager to get my hands on it. It does have
illustrations, but that doesn’t mean it’s only geared towards young adults. The
story along with the darker tones of the foreboding illustrations gives the
book an ominous quality.
Connor’s mother has cancer, but Connor
doesn’t want to think about. The image that came to mind was of the three wise
monkeys. Connor does not want to hear that his mother is terminally ill, nor
does he want to talk about it. When the
monster comes it’s difficult to tell whether its intention is to aid or hinder.
This story is sobering, about grief,
loss, loneliness and love. Makes you re-evaluate yourself and your perception
of others. Face your demons head on rather than hiding them in a dark corner.
It’s quite the emotional experience but one that will leave you enlightened.
This thought provoking novel is a must
read. Interesting fact if you’re a fan of this book, there seems to be a movie in
the works releasing 2016. | Indigo Chapters
Rating: ★★★★★
