#a monster calls
We tend to think of grief and mourning as maladies of the mind, but the loss can grow and expand until it feels like more like a presence than an absence. In the poem “Death Barged In,” Kathleen Sheeder Bonanno describes her pain as a mysterious figure in a Russian greatcoat who barges in, slams the door, and now makes all her decisions for her:
Even as I sit here,
he stands behind me
clamping two
colossal hands on my shoulders
and bends down
and whispers to my neck,
From now on,
you write about me.
I read A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness and Last Night I Sang To The Monster by Benjamin Alire Sáenz back to back on a whim, only to find out that they have much more in common than just the word ‘monster’ in the title. Both are by incredibly talented young adult authors, both are about troubled families, and in both books, the loss these protagonists so desperately refuse to acknowledge takes on the physical form of a monster, looming over them.
Post link
Some close-ups of a recent commission. Some very fun/tricky covers to draw!
I’ve only read one of these ones, I don’t think there was much YA literature around when I was a YA myself actually.
A mostly YA commission- that Iron Widow cover was tricky!
Of these I’ve only read the Narnia, but I liked drawing these. You can get a custom print of your own favourite books here
A Monster Calls
Alternative poster for A Monster Calls (Un Monstruo Viene a Verme), a film by J.A. Bayona.
Digitally painted, assembled and textured in Photoshop, using promo pictures as reference and photos for textures and background.
More info: http://lauraracero.com/portfolio/a-monster-calls-un-monstruo-viene-a-verme/
Post link
Just started reading this book.
@jessethereader I’m trusting you on this! Lol
I saw your YouTube review of it and I was like yes must read.
Post link
I got these two wonderful beauties called books at a book store today with a gift card I got for Christmas. :) Can’t wait to read them.
Post link
“And your mind will punish you for believing both.”
“A Monster Calls” is one of my most favorite books and hits super close to home for me and I often find myself rereading parts of it. Looking at it again, though, I couldn’t help but think of Wonderworld and how Balan and the Monster share similar goals. And it’s how I imagine a lot of visitors probably experience Wonderworld.
Post link
on devoted mothers
little weirds, jenny slate / on earth we’re briefly gorgeous, ocean vuong / jessie smith / no shade in the shadow of the cross, sufjan stevens / a monster calls, patrick ness
The amazing concept art of A Monster Calls
Artbook: A Monster Calls: The Art and Vision Behind the Film
Post link
