This is a strange little story. King’s set-up for the story helps it make more sense. He saw an article about a crash and car full of dead people in tThis is a strange little story. King’s set-up for the story helps it make more sense. He saw an article about a crash and car full of dead people in the car and they couldn’t figure out how it happened. So, King wrote his own story with that set-up about what was going on in the car.
2 friends are taking a road trip up north in a van with their combined 7 kids. At a rest area, there is an elder couple of poets on their way to give a talk. The part I enjoyed most was the part with the poets. They would make an interesting story on their own, I think.
It's a decent story, nothing supernatural in it. In the middle of the Bazaar of Bad Dreams bunch. ...more
Such a unique book. It takes culture, race, trans and fantasy, shakes them all up and the tells a great tale.
I'm going to get my gripe out of the way Such a unique book. It takes culture, race, trans and fantasy, shakes them all up and the tells a great tale.
I'm going to get my gripe out of the way first. The pacing is very slow and some things keep being delayed and put off and I didn't get it. There were time sensitive events that happened and the characters kept waiting to do them. I know the kids are good and don't want to skip school, but in emergencies, I didn't get it. Skip school and go investigate. It was maddening to have them go a whole day in school and boring as well. It slowed things way down.
I enjoyed the characters. It's not often that a trans man of color is the lead in a fantasy story. I love the fantasy elements and how it was all set up. I was able to figure out who it was very early on and sort of what they were intending. I don't think that's a plot problem, it simply wasn't hidden. The Lady Death is a Goddess that watches over the Brujx community. This community is set in East Los Angelos. It's one place on Earth I have no desire to see or ever step foot in.
The Brujx community deals with ghosts and healing. Yadriel wants to be a part of his community as a brujo and help ghosts pass on. His dad doesn't think Lady death will give him the magic to do that as he still doesn't see his son as a boy. Woman are bruja and they are healers.
This is a ghost story and Julian is a ghost that shows up and Yadriel is trying to help him and his community. Julian is a tough person. He is a gay kid hanging out with some homeless LGBT people on the streets before he dies.
I loved the atmosphere of the story. I loved the fantasy elements and the minority characters. Lots of issues were discussed without that being a main thread. The center of the whole thing was the communities belief and faith in Lady Death. The story starts a week before Dia de Muertos - the day their loved ones can come back and visit.
I enjoyed the series and look forward to the 2nd volume. I do hope as the author grows the pacing issues naturally dissolve.
I do think my favorite scene was the two lovers in the hospital. That made my reading experience....more
Hey, I finished this. I have been in a reading slump and it had nothing to do with this wonderful book. I picked this back up 3 days ago and read moreHey, I finished this. I have been in a reading slump and it had nothing to do with this wonderful book. I picked this back up 3 days ago and read more than 500 pages all at once. I was simply having a tough time focusing on reading over the holidays, I guess. I hate a reading slump.
I thought this was a great book. It was fun to read and there were so many great moments. The characters felt real and there was some great scares. He puts his main character Vic through some rough moments.
I will say, I know this is Stephen King's kid and he has the gift. It felt like reading a King book in some ways and in some ways, Joe has his own voice. The story felt tight and the pacing was good. He did make allusions to King's world and the Dark Tower stuff. It was awesome to see. I loved that surprise. This is all Joe's story and it feels like he was an expert guide.
When I put this book down to go to work or sleep, I couldn't stop thinking about it and I wanted to get back to it. He is a new author I've read recently that I'm very impressed with. I do notice, it's been awhile since he put out a book and I hope he isn't done yet.
The title is NOS4A2 which makes me think of vampires. This is not a blood sucking vampire story, it's a different type of Vampire. Like a soul sucking vampire. It was a nice little difference on the classic Dracula. I am so glad I read this and I wish it hadn't fallen during my reading slump. I hope I'm back on and I can get some more books going. This was a whole lot of fun to read....more
This horror story is about Vampires and Zombies. I enjoyed myself reading this story. It entertained.
Lord Baltimore has survived a plague that is wipiThis horror story is about Vampires and Zombies. I enjoyed myself reading this story. It entertained.
Lord Baltimore has survived a plague that is wiping out humanity caused by a vampire that almost took his life. The plague victims can come back as zombies and kill more people. We don't yet know what is bring to life the dead and what controls them. Lord Baltimore is hunting down the vampire.
He fought in WWI in the trenches. That's all the backstory we know. We start the story of by him finding shelter in an old woman's home and she is a fortune teller. Her daughter runs off with Lord Baltimore.
The horror is good and no graphic or extra bloody. There are plenty of wacking off heads and stuff, but it's not overly gross.
I read the Lock and Key Graphic novel series and loved that. I knew Joe Hill wrote that. Then I learned that Joe Hill is Stephen King's son. Next, I sI read the Lock and Key Graphic novel series and loved that. I knew Joe Hill wrote that. Then I learned that Joe Hill is Stephen King's son. Next, I saw the show on Netflix 'In the Tall Grass' by Stephen King and Joe Hill. I hear people talking about him, so I wanted to read his novel.
I feel like a torch has been passed along from Stephen to Joe. I even feel like they write in the same universe. It's like the pen has been passed along and Joe has something special to offer. He has merit on his own, but I feel that sense of Stephen King in his work. Joe Hill has a lovely way with words and he also writes character. His characters drive his plot. It's a gift and as Stephen King ages, it's comforting to know that Joe Hill will carry on the story. It's a comfort to me.
There were 4 stories in this collection - novellas. I enjoyed a some more than others, but there was a craft in all of them. What really struck them was the voice of each protagonist in each story and how singular they were and different. I don't know if his politics aligns with his dad's, but I was struck that each character had a unique viewpoint and they were at times opposing each other. I thought it was the mark of a mature writer to be able to pull off those opposing viewpoints.
Snapshot: This was my favorite story in the collection. A polaroid type camera basically steals the life out of people. It was creepy and was very satisfying to read. I love it.
Loaded: This was my least favorite story. I will say, this does shows his maturity as the main character has a very different viewpoint than his other character's and Joe is true to his character. It's was about mental illness and gun violence and it was well done, but not an enjoyable read for me personally.
Aloft: I loved Joe's new take on a UFO. I thought this was full of imagination and it had some excellent ideas. Joe has some interesting ideas and I want to read more.
Rain: A new take on global warming. Nails falling from the sky. What a horrific thought. This was tied for 2nd place with Aloft.
I now want to read more of Joe Hill. I think I am going to make him an author I read everything he puts out. He has that gift that Stephen King has and I want to see where he takes me. I will catch up and then read him yearly I think. I am a fan. I'm interested in what he has to say.
I first saw this on Netflix and it was terrifying. It was so good. The brilliance of the story is that because you can't look at the creature, we neveI first saw this on Netflix and it was terrifying. It was so good. The brilliance of the story is that because you can't look at the creature, we never have a description in the book or on screen. It's all left to the imagination. Something that takes our sight away really is terrifying. It's an amazing idea. It really is somewhat original.
I did see it first and then I just finished reading it. The idea is so strong. It's a great book, but I have to say that I think this is one of those books where the movie is better than the book - I hate to say it. I really think it is. There have been plenty of movies I've seen first and then read the book and still think the book is better and this just isn't one of those times.
I do think it would work better if it was told as a linear story, but that is my opinion. I don't like the contrast of the first part and the middle of the book on at the same time.
There are SPOILERS AHEAD, MAJOR SPOILERS!!!
In the movie, the group of people has the grumpy old conspiracy guy - Don. He is suspicious of everyone. I think he is better told in the movie. I don't think he could have been convinced that seeing these creatures that have almost wiped out humanity would be safe. In the movie Gary kills him. It's much more believable and satisfying. In the book, Don is the one to take the blankets off the windows.
In the book, Tom and Jules spend time walking around the neighborhood. We don't see that in the movie. I didn't really care so much about that time and the movie made a smarter choice. Dogs played a large roll in the book and not in the movie and it was about the bird box. I appreciate the simplicity of the movie.
There really are so many differences. In the movie, Tom lives with Mallory until they decide to leave up the river and in the book he dies the day Gary betrays them. The movie was so much more intense and scary than the book. I also think Mallory came across more strong in the movie and less so in the book. She started to get on my nerves just a little by the end.
The end of the story when Mallory and the kids are making their way to the blind school in the movie, that was one of the scariest parts of the movie when she is having to walk past the creatures blindfolded. The book doesn't do that and it's weaker for it.
We get more of a feel for the mass chaos in the movie than the book. It's a slower process of the world grinding to a halt in the book. The movie, it's the last day of civilization. Also, the movie makes more sense with the vehicle driving to the store. There is GPS and in the book, she drives blind. That would never work. You would know anywhere you where that way. It would be impossible to know how far you went.
Despite all these different details, it's still a scary story that has a very original premise. It's not often to find a newer idea out in the market and Jost sure did that. He really deserves some credit for finding a new way to scare people and a new kind of monster to haunt our dreams. It's hard to imagine the psychological toll this kind of threat would take on a person.
I don't know if I want to read more. What else can really happen? I like the ending I have, but someday I might decide to read on. I'll see how I feel.
This is worth a read if you like the scare....more
The series is now complete and all the questions have their answers. This is the bloodiest volume of the series. I think the poor town will be mourninThe series is now complete and all the questions have their answers. This is the bloodiest volume of the series. I think the poor town will be mourning people for years.
Dodge has the upper hand all the way through this volume. It did look like he was going to win. He is truly evil in this one. Every character goes through some horrors in this one. Rufus has a shining moment here and he is a great character, maybe my favorite. I did think the end with Bode was a bit Deux ex machina, but it was a good ending. After all the darkness of this one, we needed it.
This whole series was fantastic. I give this 5 stars for this volume and the series as a whole. It is some excellent writing - great art and it does not spare it's characters....more
This book moves the plot forward quickly. The first chapter has a nod to Calvin and Hobbs it appears. The art is great and it can also be gorey. In thThis book moves the plot forward quickly. The first chapter has a nod to Calvin and Hobbs it appears. The art is great and it can also be gorey. In this book, ever chapter has a new key that does something.
It still feels like Zack is always ahead of everything and he's going to win. Yet, Bode seems to be catching on. There was a huge cliff hanger at the end. I mean I need to find out what is going to happen.
Just like with other volumes, characters die, it looks like the Locke children might get ahead and it seems that Zack is ahead. I am constantly surprised by this series. If you are into graphic novels, you should be reading this....more
This book sets a mood and sends that mood howling into you. The art is beautiful and honestly, there are some very creepy moments. There are 5 short sThis book sets a mood and sends that mood howling into you. The art is beautiful and honestly, there are some very creepy moments. There are 5 short stories told. Usually, the story feels like it is set up and right when we see the horror of the situation the story ends and moves on to the next. The rest is left to your imagination and like the movie jaws that can be a very effective device. I think it did raise the creep factor.
I enjoyed this, it really set the tone for this Halloween season and I'm glad I gave it a read. ...more
This book is amazing. Anya's Ghost forces her to deal with many of her shadow sides. Is she ashamed of herself, her heritage? Does she simply want to This book is amazing. Anya's Ghost forces her to deal with many of her shadow sides. Is she ashamed of herself, her heritage? Does she simply want to fit in. Will she date a jerk? Why does she smoke?
I love the mystery of who Emily is and how Anya goes about digging up information on her past. I love how Emily helps her life get better. What if a ghost could give you all the answers? How easy that would be.
One of the most striking scenes is Anya when she is down a hole with a skeleton. That set a tone. This book was creepy, and yet it really dealt with being a teenager and wanting to fit in with everyone. Don't we all want to belong? This book seemed perfect to me. Perfect. For me, it lived up to the hype and it really is worth a read. A great book for the Halloween season....more
This is not my favorite story of the collection. It’s not bad, it’s rather simple. We see the relationship of an elderly couple, the man is about to rThis is not my favorite story of the collection. It’s not bad, it’s rather simple. We see the relationship of an elderly couple, the man is about to retire from Wall Street. They are having breakfast. The wife is mostly telling the story.
The husband, Harvey begins to tell about his dream, a daughter died and several things in the dream are concrete things the wife has seen this morning. It’s an ending that lets the reader decide what’s going to happen.
I guess the thing is the scene is very mundane and while there is nothing wrong with that, it simply isn’t the most interesting story. It’s not horrible, but I don’t care to read it again.
The writing was great here and it’s good to see an aging couple and life between them.
Merged review:
Well, I finished off another short story collection of Stephen King's. Hmm. There were some stories I enjoyed a lot and there were some stories that were stories and there were some things I really didn't care for. This is not one of my favorite collections.
I enjoyed Gingerbread Girl and N the best. Those are the best. There were other stories that I thought were good too.
I didn't care for A Very tight place at all.
This is not my favorite collection of his. I heard people talk about loving this collection, but it's down on the list for me. I didn't think there were many strong entries. Stephen can write, but not every story is my cup of tea.
The stories in the collection are:
Willa Gingerbread Girl Harvey’s Dream Rest Stop Stationary Bike The Things they Left Behind Graduation Afternoon N the Cat from Hell the New York Times at Special Bargain Rates Mute Ayana a Very Tight Place...more
Stephen King has said that this is his favorite book he has written, when asked. It feels like a love letter to his wife in story form. He puts the idStephen King has said that this is his favorite book he has written, when asked. It feels like a love letter to his wife in story form. He puts the idea forward that she is the rock in their relationship, which I can believe. There seems to be a few autobiographical similarities between Scott Landon and Stephen King: they are both famous authors, they both did drugs and drank heavily at a time in their career and they both listen to loud music while they are writing. There might be more, and I'm sure Scott is still fictional.
I also feel like this story is closely related to Pet Cemetery as well. There is a graveyard in this otherworld and somehow, it simply feels somewhat connected to that novel. The woods felt like the woods in that story. There is also a lot of grief and loss in this story that reminds me of Pet Cemetery. It feels like a thin veil from that story.
This story is told in the present and through Lisey's memories. We flip back and forth rather rapidly in time. There seem to be about 4 different times at least we are bouncing between. Lisey also has a sister who is mentally ill and she goes catatonic in this story and that is part of the time flip as well. The first 100 pages, it took me some time to get used too. I wanted the telling of it to be more linear, but once I got enough information, by page 200, I was engrossed into the story and I could hardly put the book down.
I think it's an excellent story. It's not my favorite story, but I like Lisey's bravery and heart. She has to face down her past and that isn't always easy. One's past can bite. This is not a horror story, but somewhat of a love story and a fantasy story and a mystery all rolled into its own thing.
There are several villains here. The Long Boy was by far the most terrifying. The other world feels amazing, but also scary.
I have to say that I did enjoy this story. It's different than most of his work. It feels mature and wise, like hard living went into writing this. His best works seem to be about writers, mostly. This is about the people who support the writers.
I'm not sure most King fans will enjoy this one, but if you enjoy Rose Madder and 11/22/63, you might enjoy this one too. It's not the horror that most fans are looking for. I think I enjoy Stephen when he's not writing horror at this stage in my life. I like his fantasy stuff. ...more
This is a very dark Novella collection by Stephen king. There are four stories in this collection: 1922 - a depression era tale, Big Driver - a revengThis is a very dark Novella collection by Stephen king. There are four stories in this collection: 1922 - a depression era tale, Big Driver - a revenge tale, Fair Extension - a faustian bargain, and A good Marriage - Chilling. In my paperback book the short story Under the Weather was added in there as well.
The writing is great, the characters are as fully realized and fantastic as ever. The collection is very dark about bad things people have to deal with in life. I hated 1922. It's not a bad story, just not a story for me. Big Driver was a good story, but a difficult one to read. I thought A good marriage was the best story in the collection. It was so good. Just right. I would give this collection more if it weren't for 1922. That story was just not my taste and it was difficult to finally finish it.
Here are my reviews for each story:
1922
Yes, this is a well written story with deep characters and excellent writing. Did I enjoy this? Eck, NO!!! I barely got through this. It was pulling teeth. That's the 2 star rating. Six days to read est story of the book in my opinion. It's a fine story. The chills are good and its very interesting to think about finding yourself in the characters position.
The story is about 80 some pages and it reads very quickly. Something Stephen is excellent at is giving his own spoilers in a story and then even though we know, is it going to go the way it sounds like. He can still keep tension even after spoiling something. This man can write. I tell you.
I think this is one of his darker and tougher collections in some time. These stories are very dark about the human heart. Each asks some bleak questions about people and what they do at times in the dark. I can't see myself reading the collection again, but I would read this story again.130 pages. That's sad on my part.
This is simply not really a story for me. I'm not thrilled reading about depression era stories, they are hard to deal with. The story feels so hopeless. Yes, I know this is horror and all, but there wasn't anything enjoyable about the read. It really was reading about hell.
The story starts out with a murder and it's all about the consequences of that murder. It's a great study that shows the majority aren't meant for murder and the self torture is the true punishment.
Stephen really has a thing for rats. They must terrify him. He has a novella titled Rats and there were rats in the Mangler as well I believe. He's used them often. This story is loaded with big nasty ugly rats as well. The metaphor of gnawing away at our character is the constant in this story.
I hope this collection will get better. So far, I'm not enjoying this. It's rare for Stephen to write something I can't really enjoy in some way, but there are a few of them and this is one of them. I'll never read it again.
Big Driver:
This story is from Full Dark, No Stars and it's much better than the first novella in the collection - 1922. Stephen did some great writing here.
We follow a female author during one of her speeches at a library. Things go from pleasant to ghastly, quick.
This is a REVENGE tale. I never understand the allure of a revenge tale until a few years back. I finally get that there are horrible things we all go through in some way or other and for the majority of us, life goes on and we endure. A revenge tale gives us the fantasy of being able to fight back and win justice from the wrong doers. So, now I can see the value of these tales. It feels good to think someone got justice against these bullies.
This revenge tale is about the rape of the author. Stephen gives plenty of details, but thankfully, he doesn't go into the grisly details of it all. There's enough to get the horror of it. The rest is all about the revenge.
The story is over 100 pages and it's another dark tale. This collection is turning out to be very grim.
Fair Extension: Short story from the novella collection Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King. The story is set in the town of Derry, going back to Derry again. This is the shortest story in the collection if you don't count the extra story at the end.
I feel like this 40 page story is the best in the bunch. The story is dark and yet it's a good read. It's a very good story. The ending is pretty grisly, in my opinion, but the beginning is so good. This story fits in 'make a deal with the devil' genre. The twist is the dealer is not after a soul, nope, not that tired ol' hat. It's truly an American tale, he's only after money.
I wouldn't have minded if this had been longer. The short story is nice to read, but I wanted to know more about the dealer. It's another window into the dark corners of the human heart.
One story left and this collection will be finished.
A Good Marriage:
Stephen King likes to ask questions with his stories. This story asks, "Can we ever really truly know a person, even if it's a spouse we've lived with for 27 years?" This Novella is from Full Dark, No Stars. It's the best story of the book in my opinion. It's a fine story. The chills are good and its very interesting to think about finding yourself in the characters position.
The story is about 80 some pages and it reads very quickly. Something Stephen is excellent at is giving his own spoilers in a story and then even though we know, is it going to go the way it sounds like. He can still keep tension even after spoiling something. This man can write. I tell you.
I think this is one of his darker and tougher collections in some time. These stories are very dark about the human heart. Each asks some bleak questions about people and what they do at times in the dark. I can't see myself reading the collection again, but I would read this story again. ...more
The shells were rattling again, whispering up through the house goes the refrain of this book. Stephen uses the rattling shells over and over like theThe shells were rattling again, whispering up through the house goes the refrain of this book. Stephen uses the rattling shells over and over like the waves on the ocean, a constant reminder of something speaking to you. He also uses "I can do this" as a mantra like someone droning on in an 'OM'. We also can't forget the pain Edgar, our resident painter and artist, is in all the time. I love these little devices used to keep us in the setting, to bring the story to life. Like the ocean droning on in the background on the beach. They work so well hand in hand.
It's so fascinating to see how Stephen uses the image of painting and how Edgar can bring a painting to life much as Stephen does with his writing. Somehow, Stephen is able to bring these words, sentences and paragraphs alive and into the readers mind like magic that overpowers and keeps him on the bestseller list. The parallel is wonderful.
This book felt so fresh to me. I just loved it. The setting was new, split between Minnesota and Florida. The subject was also new. I don't recall offhand having a protagonist who is an artist/painter. Usually, they are authors. I was impressed how visual the writing was to bring these paintings to life.
Edgar was in an accident, a bad accident that changed him. He must leave his old life behind and find his future life of some kind. He comes to Duma Key, a Key off the west coast of Florida on the Gulf around Sarasota. Edgar was a developer and always enjoyed painting. In his new life he explores painting and finds that he is very good at it.
I love the pacing of the book. Man, Stephen is amazing at building a character and a feeling. The first 200 pages of this book were good and a little slow. I did enjoy it, but by page 300, I began to rush through this book and I simply couldn't put it down. I was under Stephen's spell he wove so expertly. I just loved the time on Duma with mostly just Edgar and him painting. It was beautiful and hypnotic. It had me.
This so was masterfully told. Man, when he is good, he is superior.
I loved the relationship between Wireman and Edgar that develops, from their laughing riot at the beginning to how close they were at the end. I love that it wasn't what we see on TV or think of as a bromance. It felt real to me and grounded in these two broken recluses, a little odd couple thing going on. I love the character of Wireman. I also loved Elizabeth Eastlake and I would love to see a story of her past as a short story. She seems to have been very cool.
There is no horror story in the first 300 pages. I began to think this was one of his literary works and it is, but by page 400, I could see how the horror was developing. I read the last 200 pages in 2 days. It was fantastic.
I can also say that it has been a very long time since any book at all has creeped me out like this one did. Going to bed after pages 400, I was nervous and just a little bit scared. It's been years. The horror isn't realy a ghosty or something, it's simply the set-up that Stephen uses on the reader and he just puts me in that place of being creeped out.
This is about a man living on the beach laid back and painting when he feels like it. The first part of the book has that sort of pacing and then the last 200 pages when it shifts into high gear, man, it takes off.
This is now one of my Top 10 Stephen King books. It's a great story. I hope to read it again someday. This got my emotions all going and feeling. It reads so smoothly. This is Stephen at the top of his game. I have heard that some call this time of 2005-2010 one of his down times as far as novels go, but this book is a gem. It clearly shows the genus that Stephen shares with us constant readers.
I know it's not a perfect book, but I want to focus on what I loved right now and I can deconstruct it later. I'm so glad I decided to read this. I think I have 8 more books to read of his to be caught up, maybe less now....more
I read this book when I was in college. The movie came out a few years before and it was all everyone could talk about that year. I was on a summer yoI read this book when I was in college. The movie came out a few years before and it was all everyone could talk about that year. I was on a summer youth trip and one of the chaperone's was reading this book and it was the first time I realized the movie was based on a book. Later that summer, I got this book and gave it a read.
It was probably scarier than the movie. Hannibal Lecter is simply so smart which means Thomas Harris had to be that smart to write him. It's a master work on terror and shock and the twist at the end is so good. I have seen the movie many times and that is mostly what sticks in my mind. I do remember reading this and getting more info on how twisted Buffalo Bill was from Hannibal.
If you are looking for a scary read, this is still one of the best books out there. The tension is all the way through. ...more
I have known about ley lines for years now and it never occurred to me that they would make a good plot point for a novel. I had no idea how to go aboI have known about ley lines for years now and it never occurred to me that they would make a good plot point for a novel. I had no idea how to go about making them a plot point. Well, this book brings some of ley lines to the world as a wonderful and brilliant plot point. Now I think, of course this makes a great plot point.
This is my first Maggie Stiefvater book. I know she has many of them out there and I hope to read them all. I am now a Maggie believer. I had no clue what this book was about and what I was getting into. From the beginning, Maggie cast a spell on me with her words, word choices and the feelings and tone evoked with her words. She is a spellcaster of ideas.
At first, I really didn't think this was going to be paranormal in any way. Yes, Blue's mother is a psychic and it didn't really feel out of the ordinary. It was mundane. We are going along and it's talking about ley lines and really not much. All the sudden we find out about a ghost and it's, BAM, on. I mean, I did not see that coming. it was out of the ordinary and fro that point on, the book drops squarely into the paranormal in a wonderful way.
I think knowing as little as I did about it really helped the pure joy of finding everything out. It is unrolled in such a beautiful way for us as a reader. This book is a joy and a delight to read. I thought each character was so well plotted. Each had a strong and natural voice and they all had their own motivations. I enjoyed most of the characters. Everyone had their quirks.
I'm so glad I took the time to read this. It is fantastic and if you like magical YA, you need to read this book. Enjoy it. ...more
I enjoyed this book. it's nice to catch up with Danny Torrence. The is layered and engaging. I appreciated the AA meeting part of the story and I loveI enjoyed this book. it's nice to catch up with Danny Torrence. The is layered and engaging. I appreciated the AA meeting part of the story and I love the new Character of Abra. It's not as scary as the Shining and this is a good read of a matured author who knows how to make it all work....more
POWERFUL! A Monster Calls is a book in another level than most other books. This book made me cry more than once. This is my first book by Patrick NesPOWERFUL! A Monster Calls is a book in another level than most other books. This book made me cry more than once. This is my first book by Patrick Ness and it will certainly not be my last. What more can be said about a book so well loved. This book creeps through you so you know there is more in this world than we can ever know.
I found the 2nd Tale interesting. This quote really struck home to me: speaking of the apothecary “He was greedy and rude and bitter, but he was still a healer. The parson, though, what was he? He was nothing. Belief is half of all healing. Belief in the cure, belief in the future that awaits. And here was a man who lived on belief, but who sacrificed it at the first challenge, right when he needed it most. He believed selfishly and fearfully…”
This is some deep stuff here. In school we learned about the placebo effect and how truly powerful it is. Finding a way to use that and harness that power of the mind is the work of the future generations. Belief is very powerful. Do people even have strong belief in anything today? I have meet many who do and many who don’t.
This has really got me thinking about my work. I know that acupuncture works whether you believe it or not. We use the example of how well it works on animals who don’t believe that it works. So, they system does work. It also seems to be amplified and more powerful if the person believes it too. It only takes a treatment or two of being out of pain for people to believe in the power of acupuncture.
I was a secondary in the treatment room and witnessed a woman who has had 20 years of terrible menstrual pains and a horrible time of it. After being treated with herbs she said, “I wish someone would have told me about this 20 years ago so I didn’t have to suffer so long needlessly” She now believes in the cure too.
I don’t know about the side of the parson. I think we can live in a world of both/ and instead of a world of either/ or. The parson was willing to expand his view of the world, maybe even to expand his understanding of God. This was the opportunity and the apothecary and the Monster did not give him the opportunity to grow. They saw it as he lived in a hard-lined world and once that view was shaken he was weak. Maybe, it was his time to grow. I think this was a time for compassion and his worldview could have changed. Think it he made room for an expanded view of God - that sounds excellent to me. I think the Monster was rash here.
The parson in many ways is most people. They hold to their worldview until something shakes their core to expand and open to a deeper view of the world. When we are willing to let go and change, this is a healing moment and opportunity as well.
I can’t imagine losing mother when I was a child. This story put me in the center of that possibility. I hope and pray no one has to go through this again. How Patrick uses the Monster as part healer and part destroyer and an agent of his anger is brilliant. It shows how the pent up anger in the boy slips out in uncontrolled ways. Conor is frozen and can’t deal. That anger helps him accept his reality and deal with the hard reality of his mom.
I love the use of the Yew lore here. I have wanted to explore Druidry and I consult the healing runes often. I love the lore that comes forward out of old time into the modern age. It’s a brilliant manifestation of that lore. The Green Man.
The tone of this book is brilliant. It needs to be studied. It is a single note that is sounded over and over until you are lost in the darkness of it. He does not deviate or let you breathe for a page. The world is darkness and somehow there is a bit of beauty in that darkness, a bit of hope and strength and a Monster.
This book is in the Top 5 best books of the year for certain. It is a masterpiece. It has changed me. It needs to be on every reading list in school. I’m blown away and I was broken open by the pain, my heart laid bare. ...more
Loading...
