A Monster Calls: Inspired by an Idea from Siobhan Dowd

by Patrick Ness Narrated by Jason Isaacs

Overview

NOW A #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! An unflinching, darkly funny, and deeply moving story of a boy, his seriously ill mother, and an unexpected monstrous visitor.

At seven minutes past midnight, thirteen-year-old Conor wakes to find a monster outside his bedroom window. 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 monster in his backyard is different. It's ancient. And wild. And it wants something from Conor. Something terrible and dangerous. It wants the truth. From the final idea of award-winning author Siobhan Dowd-- whose premature death from cancer prevented her from writing it herself-- Patrick Ness has spun a haunting and darkly funny novel of mischief, loss, and monsters both real and imagined.

“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

Editorial Reviews

JANUARY 2012 - AudioFile

When his mother falls ill, Conor is visited by a monster in the form of a walking yew tree. Jason Isaacs portrays the troubled teen in a deep voice that hints at the dark nature of the story. He injects sarcastic and suspicious tones into Conor’s voice as the boy battles the feeling of invisibility brought on by his “special circumstances” as his mother’s health continues to decline. The eerie growl of the monster is haunting as he tells tales of the past and as he causes Conor to act out. Isaacs’s narration highlights the agitation and fear of a boy who is losing everything he holds dear. In the CD edition, Jim Kay's illustrations are included. E.N © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine

The New York Times Book Review

…a story that lodges in your bones and stays there…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.
—Jessica Bruder

JANUARY 2012 - AudioFile

When his mother falls ill, Conor is visited by a monster in the form of a walking yew tree. Jason Isaacs portrays the troubled teen in a deep voice that hints at the dark nature of the story. He injects sarcastic and suspicious tones into Conor’s voice as the boy battles the feeling of invisibility brought on by his “special circumstances” as his mother’s health continues to decline. The eerie growl of the monster is haunting as he tells tales of the past and as he causes Conor to act out. Isaacs’s narration highlights the agitation and fear of a boy who is losing everything he holds dear. In the CD edition, Jim Kay's illustrations are included. E.N © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940172262180
Publisher:	Brilliance Audio
Publication date:	09/27/2011
Edition description:	Unabridged

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