A Monster Calls Character Analysis

Conor O’Malley

The protagonist of the book, thirteen-year-old Conor is very responsible for his age, due primarily to the fact that his mother was diagnosed with cancer a year before the start of the book. Conor is… read analysis of Conor O’Malley

The Monster

A giant creature who takes the shape of a yew tree. Conor’s pain, grief, and inability to accept his feelings and his mother’s impending death is what calls the monster to him… read analysis of The Monster

Conor’s Mother

Though it is only explicitly stated that Conor’s mother is sick, details that Ness includes heavily implies that she has cancer: Conor’s mother has lost her hair and wears a scarf, goes through rounds… read analysis of Conor’s Mother

Conor’s Grandmother

Conor’s maternal grandmother. Conor’s grandmother is cold and somewhat strict, and Conor doesn’t like her very much. He doesn’t understand why she tries to make herself look young and still works. At the beginning… read analysis of Conor’s Grandmother

Conor’s Father

Conor’s father and the ex-husband of Conor’s mother. Conor’s mother and father divorced when Conor was seven years old, and Conor explains that he barely remembers what it’s like to have a father… read analysis of Conor’s Father

Lily Andrews

Conor’s best friend and classmate. Conor’s mother and Lily’s mother have been friends for a long time, and Conor and Lily grew up together. But at the beginning of the book, Conor is angry… read analysis of Lily Andrews

Harry

The school bully, who has been targeting Conor ever since Conor learned of his mother’s diagnosis. Harry is often flanked by his cronies, Anton and Sully. Harry frequently trips, punches, and taunts Conor. As… read analysis of Harry

The Evil Queen

One of the characters in the monster’s first tale. The evil queen is the young prince’s stepmother, and she is much younger than the king (though many of the villagers in the kingdom… read analysis of The Evil Queen

The Parson

One of the characters in the monster’s second tale. The parson is the head of a great parsonage, and preaches against the Apothecary for his use of the old ways to heal people. He… read analysis of The Parson

The Young Prince

One of the characters in the monster’s first tale. The young prince is the grandson of a king, and his stepmother is the evil queen. When the king passes away, the evil queen… read analysis of The Young Prince

The Apothecary

One of the characters in the monster’s second tale, who is described as greedy and very disagreeable. The Apothecary is a healer, and asks the parson to harvest the yew tree that grows in… read analysis of The Apothecary

Minor Characters

Miss Kwan

One of the Conor’s teachers. Miss Kwan tries to help Conor and asks if Harry, Anton, and Sully are bullying him. When she tells Conor she can’t imagine what he’s going through, however, the statement only isolates him and makes him feel even more upset.

The Farmer’s Daughter

The young prince’s lover. The young prince runs away with the farmer’s daughter, then murders her and accuses the evil queen of committing the crime in order to get the villagers to rebel against her.

Anton

One of Harry’s cronies, who bullies and teases Conor along with Sully.

Sully

One of Harry’s cronies, who bullies and teases Conor along with Anton.

Stephanie

Conor’s father’s new wife in America and Conor’s stepmother.

Mrs. Marl

Conor’s English teacher.

A Monster Calls Characters