Joelene Reviews: Mister Monday by Garth Nix

Starting a new school is tough. You have to make sure you fit in and show no weakness. This is what gets Arthur into all of the trouble. All of his life, he has suffered severe asthma. The last thing that he should be doing is running cross-country. Being a new school, his coach thinks he’s making excuses and, being a new school, Arthur doesn’t want to draw attention to himself by protesting too much.

Rather than look stupid in front of his new classmates, Arthur ignores his better judgement and runs.

The ensuing asthma attack is worse than any Arthur has experienced before. While Leaf and Ed, two other students, go for help, two strange men appear. After a baffling argument, they leave Arthur a clock-hand and disappear again.

The clock-hand turns out to be a key and soon Arthur is on the kind of adventure that most people only dream about.

Mister Monday is the first book in a series of seven novels by acclaimed Australian author, Garth Nix. After having finally read this, I’m ashamed to say I’ve never read any of his novels before. While Mister Monday is aimed at a more middle grade audience, the imagination behind it is fantastical enough to appeal to anyone.

The House that Arthur enters with his key is a world that shapes the whole universe. With the minute key Arthur can get into the realm of Mister Monday, a lethargic young man who runs the Lower House. A disorganised Victorian-esque realm drowning in paperwork, Arthur must navigate through the Lower House and take Monday’s hour key from him if there is any hope for Earth. The world of the House itself is enthralling, but the way Nix weaves detail and explanations into the writing without breaking the action completes the story.

The characters, too, are an interesting and motley bunch. From the Will who has one driving purpose and never deviates, to the slothful Mister Monday to Suzy Blue – who isn’t educated but is highly intelligent for all of that.

Mister Monday is a highly imaginative and entertaining novel. The characters and world draw you in and keep you hooked. With a sympathetic protagonist, I’d recommend this to high fantasy and urban fantasy fans alike.

Mister Monday – Garth Nix

Allen & Unwin (July 1, 2003)

ISBN: 9781741142136