Product Description

Breathtaking new magical adventure series from the author of Sabriel.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1806 in Books
• Published on: 2004-01-05
• Binding: Paperback
• 444 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
The first in an ambitious seven-book sequence, Mister Monday is surely the publication that will prove that Garth Nix is one of the best fantasy writers at work today. In turn, imaginative, spellbinding and hugely original, this award-winning author from Australia begins an expansive multi-volume work that is sure to stand the test of time if this first episode is anything to go by.

Arthur Penhaligon is supposed to die and he almost does on a school run when he collapses because of his chronic asthma. In his dreams he is visited by the enigmatic Mister Monday, who gives him a mysterious atlas and a magic key shaped like the minute hand of a clock. But Arthur wakes up and Mister Monday wants everything back. With these "gifts", Arthur suddenly assumes new powers and with them frightening responsibilities. Arthur's family and friends are under threat from a sudden outbreak of drug-resistant influenza and it seems the cure to this curious rash of afflictions can only be found inside a vast house that only Arthur can see.

Arthur has no option but to step inside and in doing so becomes the world's most unlikely hero and champion. Battling obstacles such as dog-faced Fetchers and people with Wings, robots and unbreakable chains, Arthur fights to stay intact and for meaning to this crazy world he has tumbled upon.

There's something about the way Nix tells stories that is strangely compelling. His mix of magic and fantasy, history and future visions, are truly unique. It's difficult to guess what will follow in further volumes, but that's half the fun of reading an author like this. It could be said that Nix is in many ways the heir to Philip Pullman's throne. Suitable for readers aged 10 and over. --John McLay

Synopsis
Seven days. Seven keys. Seven virtues. Seven sins. One mysterious house is the doorway to a very mysterious world - where one boy is about to venture and unlock a number of fantastical secrets.

From the Publisher
Question and Answer with Garth Nix:

What is your favourite piece of clothing?
My R. M. Williams elastic-sided boots
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you want to have with you?
I presume a satellite phone is out of the question, so:
1. "The How to Survive on a Deserted Island Manual"
2. A knife or machete
3. A very large clear plastic tarpaulin
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Absent-minded writer guy
What time do you get up in the morning?
Usually between 4:45am and 7:00am depending upon my young son. Preferably closer to 7:00am!
Do you have any pets? What are their names?
No pets, unless you count the two swallows that are building a nest under the canopy above my office door. Maybe I should give them names.
What are 3 things you love about where you live?
The sea, the trees, the birds
What makes you most happy?
A cup of tea, a good book and my family around me
Did you like school? What was your favourite subject?
I sometimes liked school. My favourite subject was History. Or maybe English. Or Drama.
When did you start writing and what gave you the inspiration to start?
I started writing stories when I was six or seven, but didn't seriously try to write and get published till I was nineteen.
What do you like to read? And what book are you reading now?
I like to read all sorts of books. I'm currently reading a history of Venice by John Julius Norwich.
What was the first book you can remember reading?
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
What is your favourite TV programme and pop band?
My favourite TV program is an old one, Dr Who. My favourite pop band changes, but I guess my all-time favourite would be The Beatles.
What is your perfect holiday?
Taking it easy at a beach house on the NSW South Coast in late Spring, before lots of people go there
If you could travel back in time, who would you be and why?
I would like to be all sorts of people, but I wouldn't mind being a long-lived, healthy medieval king who died in bed at an advanced age, mourned by all.
What is your favourite food?
Sausages and mash
What would you do if you won the lottery?
Give some of it away, invest the rest in interesting projects like making films, or producing a play, or re-publishing some old books that have disappeared
What is your favourite sport?
Fishing
If you could be invisible for the day, where would you go?
The Invisible Club, though it's a pain to find and you keep bumping into people
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Where I live now, near the beach in Sydney
What is your ideal Saturday/weekend?
To be at home with my family, with no obligation to do anything or be anywhere
If you had 3 wishes from a genie what would it be?
That would depend upon the nature of the wishes. If I could make really big wishes for other people I would wish:
* For everyone in the world to be healthy and vigorous (and if that was too hard for the genie, then I'd try for all children to be healthy and vigorous)
* For all the weapons in the world to turn into flowers
* For everyone to be able to experience compassion and understand kindness
If the wishes had to be for myself, I would wish for:
* A really good singing voice
* Extremely good health for my whole family
* A small very comfortable castle on a large private island in Sydney Harbour

Customer Reviews

Recommended Read.
I would recommend this book to anyone. This fantasy is well worth a read (and the money) and you also know you have a good series to get into. With Superiour Saturday just released (all of which are great reads) you can read them all in time for Sundays book. Garth Nix is a great author and all his books are great. Would really recommend it.

Good
Although it was not as good as the previous series it did not take long to pick up. the idea was very imaginative and the sequels followed on well. The main character was slightly annoying at points but it is well worth a read.

Good start to a fantastic and imaginative series
Barcode: 9780007175017

Mister Monday is the first book in Australian author Garth Nix's Keys To The Kingdom series. For a kids series the world is immensely detailed and that is where, for me at least, a lot of the charm of these books comes from. They are unique in their imagery and feel, quasi-legal terminology and semi-immortal characters creating a world that is completely magical and absorbing.

As such, a lot of this first book is used to set up this world and there is quite a lot of explaining. But it is always done very well, semalessly worked into the plot and Nix's writing is always of the highest quality. I found this an immesnely enjoyable book and is suited for all ages in its appeal. And the best thing, the sequels are even better.

The lead character Arthur is painted well in this first novel, always with the best intention for his family back in the 'real world' (or Secondary Realms as they are called in this book). We also get a companion in the form of Suzy who really blossoms as a character in the 2nd book - Grim Tuesday.

Despite the general lightheartedness and randomness that trademark this series, there's some surprising moments of darkness, a good deal of it emmanating from the finality and mystery of Nothing - a substance which apparently everything came from. Villains are imposing and fit the feel of the novel perfectly. Particular highlights in this book are Arthur's confrontation with the Old One in the coal pit and the final dramatic showdown with Mister Monday.

All in all, a fantastic book and one of those ones that once you've started you just know you're going to have to read the whole series and love every minute of it. Totally recommened!