Maybe it’s because I was bullied all through school and can relate to the main character; maybe it’s because I’ve heard Bernie Monagle speak at conferences and believe as passionately as he does in the importance of story; or maybe it’s just because this is a really good book –  whatever the reason ­– I have to say I loved this story. 

Pat Hardiman is bullied because in his own words he is ‘too soft, too gentle; he had never liked violent games, he had no killer instinct.’ He is well liked by other kids and his teachers but he starts to fear that his whole life will be spent trying to escape or survive weekly verbal barbs and physical attacks, ‘if it weren’t Bugge and Kosta it would be someone else.  There was a big cloud over the sun and he couldn’t remember the feel of sunshine.’  After a particularly savage incident Pat and his two best friends Whisky and Minnie determine to find a way to stop Pat from being monstered once and for all.  They know this quest will be tough, but they’re not expecting the whole town to be on their side.

I found the first chapter a bit difficult to get into (re-read it at the end of the book and you’ll tingle with the excitement of what’s to come) but once in I was hooked. The rest of the book is very easy to read, but it’s not light in terms of the issues it touches on.  Thankfully it is not a heavy handed message book either.  It doesn’t try to solve all the questions raised and thankfully Monagle has resisted the temptation to get inside the head of the bullies, Bugge and Kosta.  His use of humour instead of seriousness to tell the story, doesn’t dull the empathy we feel for Pat, but distracts us from the pain he’s feeling so that we can make it to the end of the story.

In fact the comic ending (the sort of scene the team of Working Dogs who brought us The Castle and The Dish would love to get their hands on) is completely over the top.  On one level it is completely unbelievable; the slapstick is larger than life – but on another level, if you are able to suspend your disbelief, the ending works because it is so satisfying and reassuring without being neatly wrapped up.

Bernie Monagle has an unusual turn of phrase – an idiosyncratic voice as an author which I love because it is quite different to other authors.  Some readers might find his style demanding but they will be rewarded if they keep reading. Monstered is ideal for the Grade 5 to Year 8 levels, and would be a really good read aloud class serial.

For me, the strength of this book is its characters.  Pat, Minnie and Whisky are understandable, likeable teenagers who have very real relationships with one another.  I hope this book is visible in bookshops for long enough to let word of mouth make it an Australian classic.  I wish I had had a book like Bernie’s when I was being monstered at school.  It wouldn’t have solved my problems but it would have helped me feel less alone and helpless.

Review by Sarah Mayor Cox

© 2002 Sarah Mayor Cox