Literally Dead Book Club discussion

Monstrilio is written in 4 acts, each named after the character whose perspective we are reading from.

This discussion is for Lena. In my hardcover edition, this section runs up to page 163.

What did you learn in this section?
Who did you meet and how do you feel about them?
What themes do you recognize?
How are you enjoying it so far?

It was hard for me to get used to the Lena section. I kept thinking I was back in Magos POV. it was a little confusing at first but then I settled in to it.

At the end of this section, I'm worried about everyone. No one seems happy. Each character seems to be deteriorating in some way, including Lucia's house.

I think Lena might be my favorite character. But also, I kept waiting to get back to Magos's perspective... and then I realize that we wouldn't see her POV again :(

I don't know why, but I really wanted to get a glimpse in her head at some points during this section!!

In this section we follow Lena, originally a sister-like figure to Magos until Lena's love for Magos became apparent, and a daughter-like figure for Lucia. Lena is also Joseph's friend and is how Magos and Joseph met. Essentially, Lena is deeply rooted into Magos' family, because Magos and her family are the only family Lena has left.

We learn that Lena had an abusive and neglectful childhood. Lena's mother saw her as a monster. One of the most profound moments during the second act was when Lena was watching Magos tenderly hold and kiss the Lung. This actual "monster" is loved, while Lena's own mother viewed her as a monster.

I think one of the themes of this act is about moving on and letting go. Lena can't let things go. She hoards onto trinkets that have fond memories for her, including trinkets that are now "ghosts" because she can't recall their context anymore. And she can't let Magos go. She keeps getting pulled into murkier situations by Magos and lets it happen because of her love for her. It isn't until the end of the act where she lets everything go and breaks free. It seems like Lena's life is going to move in a more positive direction, hopefully.

Lena is an interesting character who truly cares for her friend. They are doing everything in their power to protect her and this creature she’s created. I feel bad Lena is searching for love and can’t seem to feel whole.

Lena doesn’t have anyone who puts her first. Magos loves her, but only in a platonic way; her mom openly hates her (“My mother believed I was a demon, sent to ruin her family…she’d scratch me as if my skin were peel-able and my scaly demon flesh hid underneath…church was a respite. A place where my mother didn’t attack me.”); and her dad encouraged her to sympathize with her mom’s treatment of her instead of protecting her (“my father said I had to be patient with my mother. She was sick”).

Lena is lonely and looking for connection. A sign of this is that she regularly pays women to bathe her; a way to feel cared for. Another is how she rearranged her life to accommodate Magos when she moved in and continued to do so once Monstrilio was found. We also see this when she reflects that Magos and Joseph are growing close again and that once again there will be no space for her.

Monstrilio killed the neighborhood pets and left their bodies littered everywhere, even threw them. His parents say they understand why he did it; however, Magos wants to cut Monstrilio’s tail because she thinks it will make him more tame and though Joseph doesn’t believe its right; he doesn’t protest too much. Lena does the same. Its telling how Magos’ mom does not acknowledge (or maybe doesn’t even notice) Monstrilio is depressed; she just focuses on how he’s learning to be a boy.

It was great to see Lena finally take a stand on something when she told Magos she had made Monstrilio her business when she was asked to amputate his tail. It didn’t work out but not every stand does. We can’t control what the people around us do, but we do have a say on our own behavior.

Themes noticed so far: not fitting the norm (Lena being a lesbian and Monstrilio's appearance/eating habits), loneliness, grief, avoiding your feelings, family.

Lena is a true friend to Magos. Shedeeply wants to be loved and cared for by someone yet it has alluded her. It's sad to see her sacrifice so much for a friend, Magos, who cares very little. I am facinated by the Monstrillio. He is now sentient and has emotions. The cutting of the tail arm was a fascinating ethical conversation. Its almost allegorical to parents who try to mold thier own childeren in the way they see fit. To cut out parts that would hold their children back. Grief is intrinsically linked to the story. Grief can bond people and destroy them if one is not careful. I like how the crumbling house is also a past of the story. How Lucia holds on so tight to the house and to protect it yet it is dangerous and did collapse in part. Similar to Monstrillio and Magos.

I found Lena's section to be a lot more enjoyable. Mago's section was thick with grief and I appreciated seeing the story from Lena's point of view. I had so much more compassion for M and I truly felt sorry for him. Do they sell Monstrilio plushies?

While we were removed from Mago's heavy grief, we still saw how much Lena loved M and how grief made it's way into her life as well. She really bonded with M in a way that I think Magos and Joesph were unable to given her history with her own mother.

Going into this book I expected it to be a lot more plot driven and fast paced. After Lena's section I feel a lot more connected to the story and am enjoying it a lot more. I'm most excited to hear M's perspective. I've never read a duel POV where each character just gets one section but I'm really the vignette, slice of life storytelling.

I really get the feeling that Magos is genuinely not good. She does not seem happy unless everyone around her is miserable. As soon as Joseph started healing and loving M, she was “bored” of him again and leaving all the time. M was doing well and thriving and was receiving love, so she chopped off an appendage. She loved him most when he was the original monster but wanted to change him as soon as others started caring for him. She doesn’t want anyone to be comfortable or happy, including herself. I’m very curious to see where this goes.

My theory is that Monstrilio will kill someone. Lucia is sick, the house is crumbling, everyone’s mental state is crumbling. I think Joseph’s POV is the one I’m looking forward to the most.

Alliluh wrote: "I think Lena might be my favorite character. But also, I kept waiting to get back to Magos's perspective... and then I realize that we wouldn't see her POV again :(

I don't know why, but I really..."
I felt the same way.

Learning about Lena's childhood was heartbreaking. The character development is next level. I love Lena's perspective (loved the narrator on audiobook as well). She's my favourite character so far.

Monstrillio is changing so much...what will he become? This reminds me of Pinocchio.

So many themes to dig into at the live show: grief, family, loneliness, mental health, trust, found family, acceptance, and unconditional love.

I am LOVING this so far.

I changed my mind. This is getting really really good. The fact act didn't really sell the book to me and I was leaning towards it being average, but this part was so good.

We got to see so much more of monstrilio's development as well as character developments everywhere.

Lena is an interesting character and I wish we got to know her better.I’m really enjoying it. Everyone’s going through grief in a different way is the main theme.

This is my 2nd favorite section. I adore this human. Everything she had overcome and became. Her character is strong and wonderful.