A Monster Calls

 I don't use this word often when it comes to books.  But this time, there is no other word that works.  It is Breathtaking.

Did that help? :)

Ok so why should you read this book.  It's YA, more like JF fantasy.  It was written by Patrick Ness.  BUT the idea was gifted, bequeathed to Ness from Siobhan Dowd - a writer in her own right - before she died of breast cancer.  It is sparsely written, beautifully illustrated (though I read the version without illustrations as my kindle doesn't do illustrations really.   it's one of the older ones.)   I read it in all one sitting, which I think you kind of need to because it is so sparse, and it is so impactful.  To read it in portions I think would be like interrupting a symphony in random places.  To fully appreciate it, to take it all in, I think you have to read it in one sitting.  (I'm sure you don't have to, but I can't imagine breaking this up.)

Reading this book was like watching someone come into their own.  Like watching some one come into the same levels of reputation (for lack of a better term) as Gaiman, or Bradbury, or Pratchett.  He's not the same.  But he will fill in nicely at the table.   some might say the torch is being passed.  I'd say rather that it's someone lighting their own torch from another's, or bringing their own torch to light the way as well.   I think i may have a new favorite author to add to my list if all of his works are like this.

This is one book I truly hope they do not make a movie of, because there is no way they cannot muck it up.  (Of course there's already talk about a movie in 2016... but I hope that is only rumor.  It is too perfect on the page to put on screen.)

It is not what you think it is.  This is not horror.  There is no dystopian hunger games.  There is no one coming to rescue Conor (the main character, all of like twelve years old) and take him away to wizard school.  This is a book about stories.

  His parents are divorced.  He and his mom live in Ireland.  His dad moved to America.  Conor's mom has cancer and isn't getting better.    Then his grandmother is called to come help, and Conor can't stand his gran.

  But that is not where we begin.  We begin when the  yew tree in the field comes rushing up to conor's bedroom window, roars at him through the window, tears the wall off, and promises that he will come again.  And all Conor says is, "Is that all you've got?"  "Are you not terrified?"  "I've seen worse."   When Conor wakes up in the morning, house is put back together, and there is no clue as to the monster who came to call.  Except the leaves on the floor.

That is how we begin, and I don't want to say anymore.  But it is truly breathtakingly beautiful.  it is nourishing.  It is beautiful.  This book is art.  It is spellbinding.  And you absolutely must read it.