THE MONSTER SHOWED UP AFTER MIDNIGHT. As they do. But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting, the one from the nightmare he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming…
This monster is something different, something ancient, something wild. And it wants the truth. [From the back cover of the book]
In this class we will discuss Patrick Ness’s novel A Monster Calls (2011). Students will be given weekly reading assignments from the text, as well as corresponding homework that deals with the vocabulary, cultural aspects, and themes of the book. Class discussions will be based on the readings and a viewing of J. A. Bayona’s (2016) cinematic depiction of the story. Students should be the driving force of these discussions. Enthusiastic class participation is expected. There will be a midterm essay test, and a final presentation.
Students must buy the book (available at Keio Co-op Fujisawa store) for this course. Please buy the Candlewick Press illustrated edition of the novel as we will also discuss Jim Kay’s award-winning illustrations.