A Monster Calls

In 'A Monster Calls,' Patrick Ness explores themes of love, loss, and the struggle to find truth through the eyes of Conor, a young boy grappling with his mother's illness. When an ancient creature visits him, it challenges Conor to confront his deepest fears and emotions. This poignant tale weaves together elements of healing and courage, offering a powerful narrative about the complexities of grief. 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.