The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking, #1) in ENGL 596 / EDCI 551

Feb 05, 2015 Jacob Mroczkiewicz rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

So, I may not be reading anything else for school this semester until I read the other two books in the Chaos Walking Trilogy (sorry, Professors). After reading A Monster Calls, I had high hopes for jumping back into Ness' mind, and I wasn't disappointed. I often found myself staying up way too late in order to follow Todd, Manchee, and Viola (but mostly Manchee) through New World. Okay, I'll try to stop talking about my literary dude-crush on Ness so I can actually type a slightly coherent revi So, I may not be reading anything else for school this semester until I read the other two books in the Chaos Walking Trilogy (sorry, Professors). After reading A Monster Calls, I had high hopes for jumping back into Ness' mind, and I wasn't disappointed. I often found myself staying up way too late in order to follow Todd, Manchee, and Viola (but mostly Manchee) through New World. Okay, I'll try to stop talking about my literary dude-crush on Ness so I can actually type a slightly coherent review. No promises, though.

Todd, on the verge of entering manhood at the age of thirteen, as the doctrines of Prentisstown dictate, is thrust into a journey away from the only home he has ever known by forces that he could not at the time fully comprehend. In this dystopian world, the men can all hear each other's thoughts -- Noise, as it is called -- but the women are immune to this ailment. Amid the constant clamor of this flawed landscape, corruption runs amuck. And the settlers who fled the previous World find themselves repeating the folly that contributed to the discord that may have instigated their flight in the first place. With his trusted dog, Manchee, and the mysterious Viola, Todd flees the evil that voraciously pursues him in search of safety, purpose, and the Truth in both the world around him and the world that resides only within himself.

Following the general YA tropes we have experienced previously in class, Todd is a product of the socio-political influences of his environment(s), is finding his inner truth through an exodus, and is aided in that venture by a companion who may be the key to finding himself. But this novel also sets itself apart from the others we've read. Yes, this one is kind of a sci-fi thriller. But there's a distinct difference in its characters as well. As I type this, I am not sure what it is myself. But what I do know is that I found myself more invested in Todd, Manchee, and Viola than the other characters with whom I have traveled this semester. Again, it may merely be because I love me some Ness. That's a fair enough reason, right?

On a slightly less related note, I almost boycotted finishing this book after I learned of Manchee's fate. I'm still not OK with that. But nonetheless, Ness has again proven with this piece that his propensity for the art of story is something to be envied by any living person who has scribbled lines onto a page. Students can do a lot with this text, but I feel it may detract from academic inquiry simply because it is such an infectious reading experience; its difficult to slow down for analytical purposes. I ate this book up as if I had been running for my life from Mayor Prentiss for days on end.

Some of the potential benefits for secondary readers of this book: the development of identity through fight or flight scenarios, the struggle of investing faith and trust in one when others in your life have left you with questions unanswered, who will you become when you have to question all that you've ever known? The ladder question, I think, is the driving theme of this piece. And that is also a question with which adolescent readers should consider at some point in their own person development: Who will you be when the world is falling to shambles around you?

Here's to hoping that Manchee is resurrected for Chaos Walking #2! ...more

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Feb 19, 2015 Hannah Alexander rated it liked it · review of another edition

I have to say that The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness is full of adventure and originality; however, it will not make the list of my favorite books. With that being said, I am able to applaud good work when I read it, and this book was crafted in its detail and symbolism. Patrick Ness is truly a talented author, but this text does not compare to my love of his text A Monster Calls. I know both novels are very different, but I cannot help but put Ness on this pedestal for his other wor I have to say that The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness is full of adventure and originality; however, it will not make the list of my favorite books. With that being said, I am able to applaud good work when I read it, and this book was crafted in its detail and symbolism. Patrick Ness is truly a talented author, but this text does not compare to my love of his text A Monster Calls. I know both novels are very different, but I cannot help but put Ness on this pedestal for his other work.

One of the concepts we discuss in my YA literature class is that of windows and mirrors. I feel the main reason I was unable to connect to this text (in the way I would have liked) was because I was unable to relate to the reality of the characters. I think it is a personal preference that I have to feel some kind of connection to the novel’s reality for me to enjoy the text. I believe the fantastical, surreal reality that Patrick Ness created went beyond my ability to find connection (until the end) and yes, this is coming from the Harry Potter fan. I was, however, able to connect to the very human characteristics and themes, but it wasn’t until the last 50 pages or so. The explanation and plot build-up was so long and detailed that I think I lost some interest, but I am able to see the importance of the long build-up; I just wish there was an easier way of getting there.

Good versus Evil is a theme that is never tired because it is the reality that people face every day. It’s discerning how relevant some of the themes were because the text made the reality of them feel all the more violent, creepy, and hateful. I think my brain likes to disassociate itself with certain realties, such as the concept of evil existing in others for the sake of evil; that’s not one I like to acknowledge (although I should). We have the choice to be good; to have the intention to rise from our “fall” and not be consumed by our failure.

I think by writing this review I was able to sort out my feelings about The Knife of Never Letting Go. Maybe I didn’t always enjoy reading it, but I enjoyed that I read it. I say the same things about movies I like but have not desire to watch again, and I think that is the shelf I am going to put this book in my mental library.
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Feb 19, 2015 Mykala rated it liked it · review of another edition

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness is a sci-fi novel set in the future and follows 13-year-old protagonist Todd. One of the unique aspects of this world is that people can hear each other’s thoughts, called Noise, which impacts the dynamics of the novel’s characters. Todd is forced to flee his town, with his trusty dog in tow, while questioning everything he thinks is true. He quickly runs into Viola, someone different than he has ever met and who is a constant companion throughout hi The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness is a sci-fi novel set in the future and follows 13-year-old protagonist Todd. One of the unique aspects of this world is that people can hear each other’s thoughts, called Noise, which impacts the dynamics of the novel’s characters. Todd is forced to flee his town, with his trusty dog in tow, while questioning everything he thinks is true. He quickly runs into Viola, someone different than he has ever met and who is a constant companion throughout his journey. As he realizes that there is a world out there beyond his small town Tom faces challenges he never could’ve imagined.

From the beginning this story is fast paced with the main characters on the run, never staying in one place for very long. The plot moves along at a speedy clip and keeps the reader on edge, never quite sure what to expect next. There is constant action including physical fights, formation of armies, and fear of the unknown. Ness’s use of language greatly impacts the character development throughout the book as well as provides contrast between people from varying locations. The knife also serves as a metaphor throughout the book addressing power, protection, and internal strife.

This sci-fi book has a self-identity component to it as Todd tries to figure out who he is in relation to the men from his town. Trying to navigate his identity with the Noise of everyone around him provides another dimension to his journey. It forces me to image what it would be like to hear the thoughts of others all the time, while never being able to have your own private contemplations.

I don’t like how this book ended at all, it left me with too many open-ended questions. I feel like the story escalates near the end and leaves you hanging without much if any resolutions. I understand that it is a part of a series but I wouldn’t say that it’s a stand-alone book. This story did remind me of Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Haddix also presents a fabricated town that exists within a “real” world its fate resting on a member of their youth.
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Feb 22, 2015 Michelle Parsons rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-lit

Ness' novel is a challenging and somewhat annoying read. It is also a fantastic book. I found myself particularly fascinated by the integration of the Noise, which was believably twisted together, dark, and chaotic. Ness' choppy style mimics the overlapping thoughts that fill Todd's head as events change. The spelling captures Todd's dialect well, so I could practically hear his voice.

The characters of Todd, Viola, and Manchee were the most completely developed, as is fitting for our three prota ...more

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Feb 19, 2015 Lauren H. rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Almost 500 pages. So many pages. So many delightful, intriguing, intricately-considered pages! I really enjoyed Patrick Ness’ The Knife of Never Letting Go, both for its high-action plot and its thoughtful considerations about humanity.

Ness’ book creates a series of questions and considerations for the reader. For instance, this novel questions what motivates humans. It questions how humans fit in with the world around them. It considers the influences of societal borders, both literal borders Almost 500 pages. So many pages. So many delightful, intriguing, intricately-considered pages! I really enjoyed Patrick Ness’ The Knife of Never Letting Go, both for its high-action plot and its thoughtful considerations about humanity.

Ness’ book creates a series of questions and considerations for the reader. For instance, this novel questions what motivates humans. It questions how humans fit in with the world around them. It considers the influences of societal borders, both literal borders and ideological borders. It questions and considers the value of human life. It questions what makes a human “human.” Finally it considers the difference between lies and reality, and it forces the reader to question the “truth” that they may take for granted. These questions and considerations are especially key for young readers (although all readers can certainly benefit from them). Young readers, who are finding their place within the world, might be able to leave this book understanding that they do NOT need to agree with the world around them. This book can lead readers to realize that the reason that they don’t fit in with the world isn’t necessarily because they, the readers, are “bad” or “odd,” it might be because they stand for something more powerful and positive than the world represents.

I especially think the element of Manchee the dog is brilliant. Manchee’s character seems to illuminate what makes humanity what it is, even though he isn’t human himself. It is as though the dog questions human actions before the human does. For instance, after Todd gives him a smack on the rump, Manchee’s response is, “’Ow? Todd?’” (8). Moments like these serve to question human actions, to wonder why humans hurt each other (and other living creatures, for that matter).

The only drawback that I see in the book is that sometimes high-action moments seemed to repeat themselves. Still, this repetition (especially the constant battles with Aaron), lead the reader to experience the same frightening and frustrating journey that Todd experiences.

In the end, this is a great book. I will most certainly be reading the other books in the series, and I’m looking forward to having time to dive into them over the summer.
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Feb 08, 2015 Logan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Patrick Ness' The Knife of Never Letting Go follows Todd Hewitt, an almost-thirteen-year-old as he navigates the geographical and social landscapes of the aptly-named New World. Todd's world is one that is relatively newly colonized, and through his first-person perspective we begin to experience first Prentisstown, and then the wider world around. The plot of The Knife of Never Letting Go has as many twists and turns as you could care to ask for, making plot summary distinctly difficult without Patrick Ness' The Knife of Never Letting Go follows Todd Hewitt, an almost-thirteen-year-old as he navigates the geographical and social landscapes of the aptly-named New World. Todd's world is one that is relatively newly colonized, and through his first-person perspective we begin to experience first Prentisstown, and then the wider world around. The plot of The Knife of Never Letting Go has as many twists and turns as you could care to ask for, making plot summary distinctly difficult without revealing key information. The premise of the book is thus: Todd, the adopted son of Ben and Cillian, finds himself embroiled in an array of problems far vaster than he could have imagined as he quickly realizes that everything he knew to be true -- Prentisstown, Noise, and even the colonization itself -- may all hint at something far different.

Ness uses first-person to characterize Todd, and does so very skillfully, offering insights throughout the book that mark Todd as something other than a typical young adult protagonist. Todd's voice, as well, feels natural and well-crafted, and Ness manages to capture the frustrations and small joys in dealing with adults, other youths, and the world around us that many of us felt in our early teenage years. On the level of language, Ness chooses words that fit Todd's character and varies his spelling from the standard just enough to hint at the protagonist's near-illiteracy, but not enough to detract from the storyline. Noise, in this book, is represented by different fonts, and is set in different sizes to indicate a variety of emotions as well as physical distance from the listener. The Knife of Never Letting Go is a good example of young adult fiction breaking the mold of traditional styles of typography, and presents a variety of styles without distracting from issues at hand.

The Knife of Never Letting Go is a phenomenal book, and well worth reading for children and young adults alike. From the fast-paced, relevant storyline to the key questions asked (is information overload ever a good thing?) to the representation of Ben and Cillian's relationship as something both natural and loving, Patrick Ness has produced a work that deserves a spot in bedtime reading everywhere. ...more

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Feb 12, 2015 Morgan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

My first thought when finishing this book: This can't be ending. Tell me my copy is missing the last twenty pages or something. Patrick Ness, tell me I have not reached the end of this book. (Yes, I reacted similarily to Augustus Walters when he finished 'An Imperial Affliction' in TFIOS.)

Patrick Ness deliveres a novel that never stops leaping down the rabbit hole. He keeps the reader continuously on uneven footing. As frustrating as it was to read this novel at times, the building to the bigge ...more

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Feb 09, 2015 Nancy C rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The Knife of Never Letting Go, by Patrick Ness, is nearly impossible to put down. It keeps the reader guessing the entire time. While it is slow about hooking in the first pages, the spell becomes stronger as the narration continues. This is not because of the language—but because some of the things that happen to Todd in the first half of the novel tend towards the repetitive. In these sections, in many different scenarios, it seems Todd is just about to die, and that the entire situation is ho The Knife of Never Letting Go, by Patrick Ness, is nearly impossible to put down. It keeps the reader guessing the entire time. While it is slow about hooking in the first pages, the spell becomes stronger as the narration continues. This is not because of the language—but because some of the things that happen to Todd in the first half of the novel tend towards the repetitive. In these sections, in many different scenarios, it seems Todd is just about to die, and that the entire situation is hopeless—only for him to be suddenly rescued last minute. Further, the manner in which Todd is rescued always seems to be a bit of a stretch.

The style in which the book was written is quite different and refreshing from other books in the genre. Written in stream-of-consciousness style, the reader is given an omniscient view of all of the thoughts running through Todd’s mind. In essence, it as though the reader experiences the same, constant “Noise” of interfering sensory experiences and thoughts as Todd, and therefore becomes part of the story. It seems as if no small detail of what happens perceptually or intellectually to Todd is left out. Another element which makes this book stand out from the majority of the dystopian future genre is how poetic Todd’s dialogue can be in some areas. Ness utilizes a great deal of alliteration and anaphora in his text—the beginnings of several sentences feature a marked repetition of words and consonants. Such repetitiveness helps set the feeling of monotony and tedium which contribution the atmosphere of desperation, loss, and paranoia that Todd and Viola endure throughout the novel.

Personally, I plan to read the rest of the books in this series—I leave the book gripped by the sensation that the story simply can't end with Viola seeming as if she is on the brink of death and Todd joining the Prentisstown army. Likewise, I am left holding out hope for Manchee’s return—rarely has a literary dog been so believable yet fascinating. Indeed, if it weren't for the helpful intervention of Manchee, Todd would have never survived several of his close encounters with death.

This novel has several characteristics which make it attractive to YA. It is fast-paced, there is a talking animal, and the angst-ridden young teen Todd, is constantly trying to “stick it to the man” because of his recognition that the society in which he was raised is corrupt. As a character, Todd changes before the reader’s eyes. His thought process about events and emotions about his circumstances develop over the course of the novel, and occur in a realistic and credible manner. ...more

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Jan 31, 2015 Jung Han rated it really liked it · review of another edition

The book The Knife of Never Letting Go is written in the first person narrative, told from the protagonist, Todd Hewitt. He is the last child of Prentisstown, which means that he is the only innocent person left and supposed to lose his innocence upon his thirteenth birthday by murdering someone else. As it is told from Todd’s perspective, we are given the ability to experience his feelings and thoughts directly. The fast-paced storyline, shot, and clear and understandable sentences captivate re ...more

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Jan 23, 2015 Jawaria rated it liked it · review of another edition

The Knife of Never Letting Go is my first time reading a Sci-Fi novel. I must say it was a different experience. I have watched a few sci-fi movies, including Hunger Games and Divergent, but reading a novel or sci-fi in print was a much more complex process. It took me a while to properly visualize the story as I read it, simply due to the unusual setting, characters and imagery. However, perhaps that is what engaged me in the book, the reading of something new and divorced from reality on the f The Knife of Never Letting Go is my first time reading a Sci-Fi novel. I must say it was a different experience. I have watched a few sci-fi movies, including Hunger Games and Divergent, but reading a novel or sci-fi in print was a much more complex process. It took me a while to properly visualize the story as I read it, simply due to the unusual setting, characters and imagery. However, perhaps that is what engaged me in the book, the reading of something new and divorced from reality on the forefront. Reality was explored in the themes and experiences, and there I connected deeper. Language use was at first confusing and not appealing; but then it became something I enjoyed and found quite skillful. I couldn't comprehend the reasoning behind spelling regular words differently - "affecshuns" or strange words like "horrorpilashuns" - perhaps an aspect of emphasizing the science-fiction feel. I did appreciate the textual representation of the Noise, I felt the scrambled words and different fonts made the notion of Noise clearer. I struggled to keep up with Manchee's thoughts or speech or actions, simply because he was a dog that also 'talked'. I liked how the book was divided into parts, helping string along the story in contextual phases.

The story was what kept fully engaged. I found the plot most interesting, and the fast-paced unfolding of events was a thrill to read. With the language in 'easy', expressive, first person format, especially in all Todd's feelings and verbal intentions, as a reader I could actively imagine being in Todd's shoes and felt like I was experiencing everything together. The characters are almost always on the run or under threat, and the story does justice to relating the events in that same manner. Despite being a long read, and a cliffhanger ending full of anxiety, this book kept me hooked, turning the pages to discover what happens - and now I need to get hold of its sequel: to discover what happens next!

I found the underlying themes of great interest - they added a deep value to the 'basic' story events. I loved how they were expertly intertwined with the happenings of the story. Todd explores and discovers fight/flight reactions, self-identity, coming-of-age in all the crazy events that are happening. He, Viola and Manchee are on the run, in danger, confused as to where they're headed and why things are this way. Even the weapon he holds, the all-important knife, is a source of questionable reliability, he must never let it go, but what he does with it is it good or evil, saving the girl and killing the spackle have two separate motives and consequences - and does that knife increase his battles, by making the enemy angrier. Todd has no answers, a completely different foundational 'truth' that he has built his own existence upon from the start, which now makes no sense, which is actually not the truth, with no reasons, no explanations, and nobody to ask, no Ben and Cillian. Only new entities, challenges, attacks one after the other that keep coming his way and he must handle it all right then, right there, as best as he can, and fast!! Plus, decipher what happened, make some sense of it and learn from it. I found this as a parallel to real life in general, our own lives - only slower. Life itself is just that, a scrambled journey, filled with events and challenges, moments of all kinds, and one must dabble it all the best they can. Take one day at a time, and learn along the way. Thus, I felt this book describe that same notion, under the cover of a sci-fi story, and definitely at a breakneck speed - a roller-coaster ride through the whirlwind that life is: time is a relative entity.

I really enjoyed the one-line descriptions in various places, like:
The knife that had caused so much trouble.
The knife that holds so much power.
The knife of never letting go. ...more

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Feb 19, 2015 Michelle rated it liked it · review of another edition

The Knife of Never Letting go grabbed my attention and held it from start to finish. Not only does it include intriguing themes and topics, ranging from burning bridges of the past to overcoming fear and loss all while the narrator tries to discover what kind of man he wants to grow up to be, but it is beautifully written. The world building put into this novel is astounding. I ate up every little detail we receive, from the lay of the land to the difference in animals to the twin moons this new The Knife of Never Letting go grabbed my attention and held it from start to finish. Not only does it include intriguing themes and topics, ranging from burning bridges of the past to overcoming fear and loss all while the narrator tries to discover what kind of man he wants to grow up to be, but it is beautifully written. The world building put into this novel is astounding. I ate up every little detail we receive, from the lay of the land to the difference in animals to the twin moons this new planet has. I also adored how REAL the characters' voices were, from the words they use to the diction with which they speak. For me, this was perhaps the most authentic tool of the novel: the believability with which it persuaded me to throw myself into this world and the characters who inhabit it.

This novel also includes various topics that are frequently linked to the YA genre, but it puts a unique "sci-fi' spin on things: it touches base on the equality of men and women in society, racial issues (ranging from different settlements rather than ethnicity), and self-identification. And while the trope of "the child messiah" may be one that some may consider to be overused in YA literature, I found it represented in such a new style in this novel that I hardly noticed it. I was too busy being caught up in the trials the characters were facing, the growth of their relationships, and the growth of each of them as individuals. I loved how the book follows Todd's struggle not just against an outer darkness, but against a darkness within himself, too.

The rest of the series has definitely made it to my to-read list (which, alas, reached an incomprehensible length far too long ago), and I'm so disappointed that I have to put it on the back-burner for awhile. There were several instances that earned an emotional response from me, like the fate of Manchee (excuse me, Mr. Ness, who said THAT was okay? No one. Ever.) and I simply found the entire book a wonderful, sci-fi-goodness read. ...more

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