A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness is a truly inspiring and emotional novel for audiences that changes their perspective when faced with death. Conor's mother influences the main character of the story (Conor) because he has cancer. Conor seems to be kept and calm as Conor's mom is still alive. Due to his illness, Conor has once again been reunited with his family, but would like them both to leave as his father and grandmother are trying to make him understand that there is a good chance he won't make it. The audience can only understand Conor if they understand what is going on in his head. Over time, this "nightmare" is shown throughout the text but is never explained until the final chapter. A nightmare that haunts him since day one, composed of two monsters, one that heals, another that takes away; Teaching Conor and the audience reading the text how to face death. This novel lets its emotions show through with a sense of sadness, terror and anger throughout the story. The story begins with Conor's mother who has had cancer for about a year. We have to see through Conor's perspective to understand how Conor's mom impacts his life. Conor only wants to listen to his mother, no one else, he has no friends thanks to Lily spilling the beans about Conor's mum's cancer. “No one knew. then Lily's mom knew, of course. Then Lily knew. And then everyone knew” (Ness 16). Ed is constantly bullied by Harry and his gang, but doesn't report them as all he wants to do is spend the day and see his mother. Frankly, everyone is afraid of the little boy with the oncology mother, even the teachers treat him as if he were invisible. Then Conor is bullied due to the fact that his mother has cancer. However, Patrick paints the... center of the card... tch, the prince was both a murderer and a savior, the apothecary was both evil and righteous, and the invisible men become lonelier when they are seen. That moment when he “lets go” of his mother and flames begin to pour out of Conor's mouth as he speaks the truth illuminating his eternal darkness was heartbreaking. The monster is trying to make Conor understand by saying; “There isn't always a good guy. Nor is there always a bad one. Most people are somewhere in the middle.” (Ness). Conor faced the truth which relieved him of his burden, thus teaching both Conor and the reader that facing the truth relieves guilt and allows them to move forward. It inspired empathy for those who have not faced loss and grief and provided comfort to those who have. Works CitedNess, Patrick A Monster Calls. England: Somerville, Mass: Candlewick Press, 2011. Print.