This book and I had an accidental introduction. For my birthday, the husband got me a year-long subscription of monthly books handpicked by curators sent to my door. As a book lover, it is akin to opening a Christmas present every month. On Month 2, I was greeted by a parcel. Whilst half opening its bubble wrap, I let out a sigh because they sent me a book I have already read! Good on them for hitting the nail on the head when it came to my literature preferences. But this also means that I have to wait a little longer this month for my actual book.
We went to the bookstore to return the book several days later.
"We're really sorry we have picked a book you have already read. Do you want to pick a book now or do you want us to pick one and send it to you?" the book-whisperer said. Under normal circumstances, I will get flustered. In the oldest bookshop in London which is not only spread over three floors but filled to its brim with colourful books of every genre in the world, needless to say there are too many books to choose from! And to choose only one! Thankfully, prior to the visit, I have stormed the Goodreads website for good picks and I had my eye on one specific book. It received a lot of excellent reviews and many prizes. Not having read it felt like I'm missing out on an extraordinary party.
"Yes, I do know - I would like, A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness please," I replied.
With a smile, she said, "Excellent choice. We have copies right over here." That was the start. Little did I know, about 24 hours later, I would have tears welling in my eyes as I read the last lines of the book.
Man, this book is something else.
It was a holistic experience.
An out of body experience.
It was like a transcended into the book, then came out with a hangover. Its words will linger in my thoughts for weeks after. Despite it being a children's book, it touched on so many hard hitting and difficult subjects. The plot had so many layers to it despite being packaged in simple language. There is no doubt that Ness is an author that I'll revisit often in the future.
I was lucky to have finished the book a few weeks before the movie was due to be released. If it was to be months instead of days, the anticipation would have got the better of me. Husband, sister and I went to the cinema at Walthamstow (cheap-ish tickets!) to watch it right after wrapping up a day long final year revision course. I was tired, and not wanting to be disappointed, I walked in without any expectations.
Verdict?
The movie was a masterpiece.
Despite knowing the story, I couldn't help myself from bawling my eyes out. The acting was superb, and the composition as well as the animation was amazing. Often times, movie adaptations are like a disappointing sibling to the book, but this time - I felt as if the book and the movie both complemented each other. The one enhances the experience of the other - and thats really rare. Reasons like these are why I enjoy literature so much.
The following day, during one of the revision lectures, my thoughts sidetracked from endocrinology back into the film. I jotted some underlying themes of the story (below), but note that this list is not by all means exhaustive.
1. The stigma of diagnoses (and how ill-equipped society is to handle them)
2. The lies we tell ourselves and others, and its many evils
3. The complexity of the human being
4. The pain of uncertainty
5. Acceptance and letting go
6. Permission to be angry
7. Families are by choice
I think I would expand on each aspect in a future post, because I have lots to say about them. Ideas are bouncing in my head in need of coherency. But for now, take it as a teaser for whats to come. In conclusion, please read or watch A Monster Calls. I doubt that you will regret it.
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