Welcome to my blog!

The Knife of Never Letting Go

Ness, P. (2008). The knife of never letting go. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press

Media Type: Audiobooks

Narrated by Nick Podehl

Length: 11 hrs. 55 min

Release Date: September 28, 2010

Summary:

Todd Hewitt lives in a world where everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts. He lives in a settlement called Prentisstown where he is the only boy left. The rest of the members are men because they had Todd believe that the "Spacks" (aliens) had spread a germ that killed all the women and infected them with the "Noise." Just a few weeks from becoming a man, Todd and his dog Manchee come across an area of complete silence. At first he thinks that it might be a spackle but it turns out to be a girl. This is where the trouble begins for Todd because for reasons he not yet understands, is told by Ben, his guardian, that he needs to run for his life. Before running away Ben gives Todd a book that belonged to his mother and a knife. Through this journey he develops a strong bond with his dog Manchee and the girl with no noise, Viola. They encounter many obstacles along the way, and Todd battles with the idea that he might never be able to kill and become a man. Their goal is to reach a settlement called Haven, which was mentioned in his mother's book. Once they get there things are not what they expected. Viola gets shot and Todd faces President Prentiss. The ending leaves you hanging with what will happen to Todd and Viola.

Response:

At first I was a bit confused as to why there was a talking dog. Once I became familiar with the "noise" the book started to come together. I was really getting into the book until it came to the cliff-hanger. I was a bit disappointed and frustrated at the ending. It felt like it just cut off at a crucial point of the conflict. There definitely was no resolution. I understand that this book was part of a trilogy but I have read other trilogies that don't end so abruptly.

Connection to the textbook:

Ch12- fantasy/science fiction- I made a connection to chapter 12 because this science fiction novel has aliens referred to as Spacks.

Other books by the author