Product Description

Breathtaking new magical adventure series from the author of Sabriel. 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. Arthur Penhaligon is not supposed to be a hero. He is supposed to die an early death. But then his life is saved by a key shaped like the minute hand of a clock. Arthur is safe -- but his world is not. Along with the key comes a plague brought by bizarre creatures from another realm. A stranger named Mister Monday, his avenging messengers with bloodstained wings, and an army of dog-faced Fetchers will stop at nothing to get the key back -- even if it means destroying Arthur and everything around him. Desperate, Arthur escapes to the mysterious house that has appeared in town -- a house that only he can see. Maybe there he can unravel the secrets of the key -- and discover his true fate. PLUS!! Covermounted with FREE CD-rom, featuring specially created screensavers, wallpaper, author biog and major consumer competition -- FIND THE KEY TO THE KINGDOM.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8970 in Books
• Published on: 2004-01-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 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

Review
"I just loved Mister Monday, which is an amazing, no-holds-barred fantasy by Garth Nix. This is destined to be a cult series. Every chapter seems to bring something new and wonderful and ends with another surprise. In all honesty, I've never read anything quite like it and I simply can't wait for Tuesday." Anthony Horowitz "[Garth Nix is] the coolest read in the playground." Amanda Craig "Magic splashes across every page! With a likeable unlikely hero, fast-paced plotting and a plethora of mystical oddities, this series is sure to garner a host of fans." Publishers Weekly starred review

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

Weird and wonderful!
Mister Monday, heralding the start of a seven-part series (yes, the 'Monday' in the title is a clue), is the latest addition to the ranks of fantastic 'kid-lit' which should not only enthrall young teens, but also be a guilty pleasure for grown-ups like me who still like to nurture their inner child.

The story tells of Arthur Penhaligon, a boy who, unintentionally pulled back from the brink of death by the nefarious Mister Monday, quickly becomes embroiled in the extremely strange world of The House, a world of surreal secrets and weird wonders which lies at the centre of all creation.

For connoisseurs of surreal fantasy, this is a joy to read. In turns it's funny and sinister, clever and joyfully silly, all glued together with a relentlessly action-packed plot and a charming, almost dream-like quality. At times I thought it was strongly reminiscent of the classic Alice in Wonderland stories, with its endless procession of bizarre characters and locations, and bewildering logical leaps from one scene to the next.

In my opinion, this beats the pants off Harry Potter, thanks to Garth Nix' exuberant, fast-paced writing style and the sheer derangement of his imagination.

I'm so pleased there are 6 more of these to come, and in the mean time I'm off to catch up on his Sabriel/Lirael/Abhorsen series.

Enjoy!

Another Nix Gem
I love the way Garth Nix tells a story. He has an amazing talent for captivating the reader and welcoming them into a magical world. The Abhorsen trilogy was amazing and this, although aimed at a younger audience, is at the same level of excellence.

Whether you are young or old, you will surely enjoy this book. One can only marvel at the imagination of a great storyteller in this highly enjoyable read about a young boy named Arthur who must embark on a quest in a mysterious house, discovering the secrets within, meeting strange and magical creatures and realising his importance to the fate of mankind. The book is essentially a kids book, yet the world that Nix creates is so deep and inventive that it greatly appeals to mature readers also.

As the beginning of a series of novels, this book creates a strong foundation for upcoming events. Most importantly, it was great fun to read and I never found myself bored or frustrated. Garth Nix is clearly establishing himself as the best childrens author currently writing and this book is an example of just how great an author he is.

a brilliant read
This is the first of what promises to be an enthralling new series,the "keys to the kingdom."
The story revolves around an asthmatic 7th grader named Arthur Penhaligon. Arthur has just moved school and when he is forced to do a gruling cross-country run by his new gym teacher, Mr. Weightman, he has a serious asthma attack. On the very verge on death, Arthur is visited by the sinister Mister Monday and is given the "lesser key to the lower house."
this is no ordinary key either. It is a magical key and is saves him from dying from the asthma attack.
Arthurs adventures with the key take him through the misterious Lower House, and on to a final battle for the rest of the key and mastery of the lower house with the evil Mister Monday himself.
This is a fantastic book that really grips the reader from the very first page. the writing is entirley believable, with vivid descriptions and characterization; readers will really sympathize with the asthmatic teenager.
This truly is an amazing book and a fantastic achivment in literature. All my congratulations to Garth Nix.