I just finished this a couple of hours ago. I’m still not exactly sure how I’ll go about writing this review. From the first time I heard about this book, I vowed to stay away from it since it deals with a topic that I’ve considered triggering for me. I wasn’t sure how I’d end up feeling after reading something that has happened to me personally. You see, I lost my mother to cancer when I was 18. And I’m scared that this might make me relive some painful memories. But, another thing you have to know about me, (since it looks like oversharing is the theme for today) is that I may scare easy but I prefer to face these fears head on. So basically, my main motivation for picking this book up is to “just get it over with.”
Imagine my surprise when I found myself finishing this in one sitting and only shedding a few tears a couple of pages before it ends. Don’t get me wrong, I am deeply affected by this book. Conor and I had different ways of dealing with grief, his being more mature than my 18 year old self. But instead of feeling sad, I felt like this book cut me open then proceeded to sew me back together. It made me feel things I didn’t wanted to admit I was feeling but then it also made me realize that I am here now and that I am okay. That my mother dying may be the single biggest heartache I will feel for the rest of my life but at the same time it’s not my whole story.
Stories are wild creatures, the monster said. When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak?
Yes, it talks about a thirteen year old boy dealing with his mothers terminal illness. But it’s also a young boys journey to healing. Accepting his weaknesses and realizing that life isn’t always black and white and that it’s okay for it to be so.
You do not write your life with words, the monster said. You write it with actions.
I’m happy I decided to read this. I think I was able to do a bit of letting go as well by the time I reached the last part of the book. And if you ever pick this up, I hope you do too.
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