The Knife of Never Letting Go

January 20, 2012 Uncategorized 2

The Knife of Never Letting Go

Author: Patrick Ness
Publisher: Candlewick, audiobook by Brilliance Audio
Publication Date: Sept. 9, 2008
Pages: 479
Series: Chaos Walking, book one
Source: Audiobook from library


About the Book: A dystopian thriller follows a boy and girl on the run from a town where all thoughts can be heard — and the passage to manhood embodies a horrible secret.

Todd Hewitt is the only boy in a town of men. Ever since the settlers were infected with the Noise germ, Todd can hear everything the men think, and they hear everything he thinks. Todd is just a month away from becoming a man, but in the midst of the cacophony, he knows that the town is hiding something from him — something so awful Todd is forced to flee with only his dog, whose simple, loyal voice he hears too. With hostile men from the town in pursuit, the two stumble upon a strange and eerily silent creature: a girl. Who is she? Why wasn’t she killed by the germ like all the females on New World? Propelled by Todd’s gritty narration, readers are in for a white-knuckle journey in which a boy on the cusp of manhood must unlearn everything he knows in order to figure out who he truly is.



My Thoughts: Why did I wait so long to read this book?!? Seriously. I’ve wasted years of fangirling! For shame! The one good thing to come from waiting is that now I have all three books at my disposal. No waiting for the next one to be released! Because seriously. If I had to wait a year between books one and two I might have snapped! 


As I mentioned above, I listened to this title on audiobook. I was debating between reading or listening but then I saw that Nick Podehl was the narrator. As in, Nick Podehl my very favoritest audiobook narrator ever! (Yes, I have a favorite.) Clearly I had to check out the audiobook. I am glad I did. In the world where the Chaos Walking trilogy takes place there is “Noise.” The thoughts of men and animals are broadcast for all to hear. I liked having it read to me. I think listening to it really enhanced the “reading experience” and gave me a better understanding of what Todd was going through.


Now, the book itself. So. Much. Love. I was drawn in from page one, line one. (Sidenote: My students love it because it says the word “poo” about eight times within the first two pages.) The voice and language used really build in to the story. Todd has a distinctive dialect. Nick Podehl did a wonderful job giving voice to this in the audiobook but you will be missing out if you don’t read at least part of the story. I was really impressed with the way Patrick Ness structured it and the ways he used the text/spelling/word  choice/capitalization/ etc.. to build it up. You can read the first 20 or so pages through google book preview  or listen to an excerpt here.


I felt totally immersed in what was going on in the book. I was invested in what happened to Todd, Viola and even Manchee (the dog.) The characters and their struggles felt so real to me. I feel like I’ve been saying this a lot lately but I don’t want to give many more details. I fear taking away from your reading/listening experience. I think it’s really important and powerful for the reader to know only what Todd knows. 


Patrick Ness is basically amazing. I say this even after he ripped my heart out, stomped on it, and then LEFT ME HANGING! Oh Patrick Patrick, Patrick… how could you?!? I am listening to book two now so I don’t know if I completely forgive him yet. Just know this, dear reader, you’d best have a box of kleenex and book two handy! 


If you’re looking for a read that is unique and powerful The Knife of Never Letting Go is the book for you. 


Bonus: There is a song from Todd’s childhood that is mentioned in the story. Nick Podehl sings a bit of it in the audiobook and I had it stuck in my head for days after listening. This version is sung by the artist Patrick Ness had in mind when writing it (per twitter response):

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