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The Knife of Never Letting Go
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The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking #1), by Patrick Ness, Young Adult BOM, Start Date November 22, 2014
I work a twelve hour shift tomorrow - so questions will be posted late tomorrow night. I am Pacific time so it will probably be late for some of you. So start reading and enjoy my BOM nomination. See you in about 24 hours.
I am hosting my birthday party today and I won't get to start this book until tomorrow, but I will take part in the discussion as soon as I can!
At work now. Flew through the first four chapters last night. Thinking of some questions for tonight, but want to finish my section first. Very easy read, it goes quick. Very interesting premise.
Really enjoyed those first chapters. My eyes are fighting sleep and I have such a bad cold but this book made me forget for a while. Can't wait to continue tomorrow.
I finally downloaded this to my Kindle today, actually I own
, which is the entire trilogy. I was surprised to see that I've already read the entire trilogy, and only 2 years ago.I've read the first 6 chapters, and it's familiar, but I can't tell you a single thing that happens next. I must have enjoyed it, though, or I wouldn't have finished the whole thing.
I wasn't planning on reading this but saw the comments to this thread in my newsfeed and thought "why not?"....I'm on Chapter 9 already! I can actually feel my nerves on edge with this!
It's been on my trl for a while. I started it two days ago and couldn't stop reading it. I love it and made tons of notes on it. It's an awesome book. A quick read.
I just started. Only a couple of pages in, but I giggled and thought of this.
Renee wrote: "I just started. Only a couple of pages in, but I giggled and thought of this."
OMG Renee. That was the first thing that came to mind. LOL
Renee wrote: "I just started. Only a couple of pages in, but I giggled and thought of this."
YES! It's so true. That's why I love Manchee. I love Manchee. I want to give him smooches.
That's exactly what I thought too!! Lol!!
Renee wrote: "I just started. Only a couple of pages in, but I giggled and thought of this."That's the first thing I thought as well. I love Manchee and I am really enjoying this book to my surprise. I don't want to put it down.
Melike wrote: "Renee wrote: "I just started. Only a couple of pages in, but I giggled and thought of this."That's the first thing I thought as well. I love Manchee and I am really enjoying this book to my surpr..."
I agree. I couldn't stop and I think Manchee stole the story. :) I love Manchee.
As much as I would love to have that kind of communication with my dogs, it wouldn't be worth it to suffer through everyone else's noise.
OK just got home from work I will finish my two chapters and then post some much needed questions. This is going to be a hard one to read every day - this book is hard to put down and not just read in one sitting.
...OK, only twenty five minutes later.
DQs for Part I - Chapters 1-61) The Book starts with introducing this concept of the Noise and Todd can hear his dog's thoughts. Todd does not seem to like his dog. How do you think this relationship might develop? Do you think Todd will grow to feel differently about his dog? Do you think the relationship might grow and change?
2) We have learned that Todd is the only remaining boy in his town, everyone else has moved on to manhood, at 13 years old. There seems to be some secret initiation, secrets that the boys are kept from that are revealed when they become men. Why do you think this might be?
3) Aaron was defenitely introduced as an ominous character from the jump. It was strange that he was in the marsh when Todd was and kind of popped up out of nowhere. What do you think Aaron was up to? Do you think he knew about the girl or the absence of noise?
4) I was getting a little concerned when Ben and Cillian were trying to get Todd the hell out of dodge and Todd was being so resistant. What were you feelings around this.
5) I was wondering if women/girls don't hear the Noise and if that has something to do with why they are all gone. When Todd finds the absence of Noise he doesn't find a Spackle, (whatever that is?) but he finds a girl. Any speculation about this?
DQs for Part I - Chapters 1-61) The Book starts with introducing this concept of the Noise and Todd can hear his dog's thoughts. Todd does not seem to like his dog. How do you think this relationship might develop? Do you think Todd will grow to feel differently about his dog? Do you think the relationship might grow and change?
I’m not sure how long has had Manchee but I think their relationships is strong because Todd said he is the youngest and only remaining boy.
2) We have learned that Todd is the only remaining boy in his town, everyone else has moved on to manhood, at 13 years old. There seems to be some secret initiation, secrets that the boys are kept from that are revealed when they become men. Why do you think this might be?
I had no idea what secret could be. I just find it funny that there are no girls. Where are all the women?
3) Aaron was definitely introduced as an ominous character from the jump. It was strange that he was in the marsh when Todd was and kind of popped up out of nowhere. What do you think Aaron was up to? Do you think he knew about the girl or the absence of noise?
Aaron seems different. Ominous is a nice word for him. I do find it strange he was in the marsh like that and it makes me think he knows about the girl.
4) I was getting a little concerned when Ben and Cillian were trying to get Todd the hell out of dodge and Todd was being so resistant. What were you feelings around this.
I think they know something that Todd doesn’t know yet.
5) I was wondering if women/girls don't hear the Noise and if that has something to do with why they are all gone. When Todd finds the absence of Noise he doesn't find a Spackle, (whatever that is?) but he finds a girl. Any speculation about this?
A Spackle has to be native to the planet. I wasn’t sure why the females were gone. That is a major mystery and makes me think it’s odd. Do the women live in another town? Is this why Todd is the only remaining boy?
@RachelTodd said that he was taught that a lot of the men and all the woman were wiped out by this Noise virus, but I am not sure if this is what really happened.
That's why I wondered if it's a dying planet.
Hee hee - also I swear that your name Rachelvlecha could be the name of a character in the other book I am reading - Crime and Punishment
lol, I noticed there was a lot of Rachel's so I just decided to spell it forwards and backwards. ;) Like a mirror image. One of my friends said oh I thought you last name was Leh car lol. I was like umm no. It's Rachel spelled backwards. :P
RachelvlehcaR wrote: "That's why I wondered if it's a dying planet."But then it did seem like Ben told Todd there was more out there besides just this town of men. Lots of secrets, which is interesting coming from this town where you can hear everyone's thoughts.
I'm a little behind just starting chapter 3 but did I miss something. Chapter 1 had Todd meeting Aaron in the swamp but I don't remember a girl or does the girl show up in chapter 3- 6?
Vicki - the questions are for the whole section.
Day one - up to chapter 9I really like the story so far. It is interesting and attention-gripping, mainly due to the careful dosing of the information about the world and the past events that had led to occurance of the Noise.
I'm really intrigued, mainly by the diary written by Todd's mother. And of course the girl - here lies the real mystery and I think the core of the plot - what is her role, how come she is even there, what is going to happen to her and Todd, are they going to be friends finally - these are the main questions in my head right now.
The only thing (so far) annoying is the spelling and grammar errors. I find those 'yer', 'situashiun', and 'she don't' rather unnerving and disrupting fluency of reading, but perhaps it is just me (I'm Polish and although I speak, read, and write rather fluent English, still, it is my second language. I wonder if it is equally annoying to native speakers of English).
Yes Anima - I thought about the same thing. It is a little ridiculous.
DQs for Part I - Chapters 1-61) The Book starts with introducing this concept of the Noise and Todd can hear his dog's thoughts. Todd does not seem to like his dog. How do you think this relationship might develop? Do you think Todd will grow to feel differently about his dog? Do you think the relationship might grow and change?
I think Todd is resentful because he has no control. He didn't choose Manchee. He can't choose not to hear all this Noise. He can't have a private life. And he also has this resentment over being the last boy to become a man.
I do believe that he and Manchee will develop a better relationship when it's just the two of them against the world. Desperation and all that.
2) We have learned that Todd is the only remaining boy in his town, everyone else has moved on to manhood, at 13 years old. There seems to be some secret initiation, secrets that the boys are kept from that are revealed when they become men. Why do you think this might be?
I think there are multiple reasons, the main one being that it takes time to institutionalize someone. I realize they aren't in a real prison, but the same conditions are there. And it takes time to accept that, to stop rebelling. The 2nd reason is that when a secret, no matter how terrible, is incorporated into a rite of passage, it's more likely to be accepted. It seems like a prize, whether or not it's a terrible truth or a horrible experience.
3) Aaron was defenitely introduced as an ominous character from the jump. It was strange that he was in the marsh when Todd was and kind of popped up out of nowhere. What do you think Aaron was up to? Do you think he knew about the girl or the absence of noise?
I think Aaron had to know about the absence of noise, which of course meant he knew a girl was out there hiding somewhere. I think the rite of passage into adulthood is learning the truth about the women.
4) I was getting a little concerned when Ben and Cillian were trying to get Todd the hell out of dodge and Todd was being so resistant. What were you feelings around this.
Todd is rebelling. He's tired of being told what to do, tired of following the rules mindlessly because anything he thinks is public. Now he's supposed to run off just when he's about to become a man.
5) I was wondering if women/girls don't hear the Noise and if that has something to do with why they are all gone. When Todd finds the absence of Noise he doesn't find a Spackle, (whatever that is?) but he finds a girl. Any speculation about this?
I suspect that they can't have girls/women around because the women don't have noise. The men are vulnerable because they have noise, but if everyone has noise it's just something to accept. If there were people that didn't have noise, they would have the power.
DQs for Chapters 1-61. I think at the start Toby sees his dog as a hindrance but I think as time goes on he will be his source of company so maybe he will start to see the value in having a loyal companion.
2. I got that there was some sort of secret but I read it as his birthday party rather than any sort of initiation and that they were trying not to tell him what they were planning. I guess there could be initiation rites, the atmosphere seems to lend itself to that sort of thing
3. I don't like Aaron at all, he gives me the creeps. Was he following Todd?
4. I think Todd was being difficult because he just didn't know what was going on. He is only 12 and the thought of never seeing the only two people he cares about must be scary
5. Didn't it say that there was a germ that killed all the women? I hadn't linked the lack of noise to women.
DQs for Chapters 1-61. I think at the start Toby sees his dog as a hindrance but I think as time goes on he will be his source of company so maybe he will start to see the value in having a loyal companion.
2. I got that there was some sort of secret but I read it as his birthday party rather than any sort of initiation and that they were trying not to tell him what they were planning. I guess there could be initiation rites, the atmosphere seems to lend itself to that sort of thing
3. I don't like Aaron at all, he gives me the creeps. Was he following Todd?
4. I think Todd was being difficult because he just didn't know what was going on. He is only 12 and the thought of never seeing the only two people he cares about must be scary
5. Didn't it say that there was a germ that killed all the women? I hadn't linked the lack of noise to women.
DQs for Part I - Chapters 1-61) The Book starts with introducing this concept of the Noise and Todd can hear his dog's thoughts. Todd does not seem to like his dog. How do you think this relationship might develop? Do you think Todd will grow to feel differently about his dog? Do you think the relationship might grow and change?
I think Todd is like any other person with a dog that just sometimes annoys. You love them, but there are some days that they just drive you crazy. And I think he feels like he was given some responsibility that he didn't really ask for.
2) We have learned that Todd is the only remaining boy in his town, everyone else has moved on to manhood, at 13 years old. There seems to be some secret initiation, secrets that the boys are kept from that are revealed when they become men. Why do you think this might be?
I think its something like Cynthia said--there's a big secret, and each boy needs to be a certain age to incorporate the secret and become part of the collective belief system. I have not idea what the secret is right now, but I think its pretty ugly.
3) Aaron was defenitely introduced as an ominous character from the jump. It was strange that he was in the marsh when Todd was and kind of popped up out of nowhere. What do you think Aaron was up to? Do you think he knew about the girl or the absence of noise?
I found it strange he was out there, and also that he reacted so violently to Todd. We are still being introduced to the world, but it seemed very strange that he went so quickly to hitting Todd.
4) I was getting a little concerned when Ben and Cillian were trying to get Todd the hell out of dodge and Todd was being so resistant. What were you feelings around this.
I was very anxious as I wanted Todd to LEAVE already! But I also can see as a young boy why he would be so resistant to suddenly being told that he needed to leave everything he knew behind and not ever come back. That's a tough sell in a 10 minute time frame.
5) I was wondering if women/girls don't hear the Noise and if that has something to do with why they are all gone. When Todd finds the absence of Noise he doesn't find a Spackle, (whatever that is?) but he finds a girl. Any speculation about this?
I think that they don't produce the noise, but not sure about the hearing of it. So far, I'm buying that the disease that caused the noise killed the women of the town, but not sure that's going to end up being accurate.
1) The Book starts with introducing this concept of the Noise and Todd can hear his dog's thoughts. Todd does not seem to like his dog. How do you think this relationship might develop? Do you think Todd will grow to feel differently about his dog? Do you think the relationship might grow and change?I so far, am more in love with Manchee than I am any other character. I think that the relationship between the two will definitely improve, how can it not? plus if the book progresses into an adventure, you have to have a sidekick, I think Manchee will be it.
2) We have learned that Todd is the only remaining boy in his town, everyone else has moved on to manhood, at 13 years old. There seems to be some secret initiation, secrets that the boys are kept from that are revealed when they become men. Why do you think this might be?
I'm halfway afraid to find out, usually when you are considered men it has to do with sex or something like that in real life. I know what happens because I accidentally read some spoilers, but my thoughts while reading this were mostly puberty sex related
3) Aaron was defenitely introduced as an ominous character from the jump. It was strange that he was in the marsh when Todd was and kind of popped up out of nowhere. What do you think Aaron was up to? Do you think he knew about the girl or the absence of noise?
I definitely think he knew, I think the women and finding out about the women are key to it, and the girl is tied to something that is going to happen, not sure yet what though
4) I was getting a little concerned when Ben and Cillian were trying to get Todd the hell out of dodge and Todd was being so resistant. What were you feelings around this.
I can understand it, this town is Todd's whole life, its where his mother died, it's where Ben and Cillian raised him, he may be the only "boy" in town, but he had friends once. and all the sudden the people he thought were his parents were all LEAVE GO NOW! into the great beyond that he's never been before, by himself? yeah I'd hesitate too.
5) I was wondering if women/girls don't hear the Noise and if that has something to do with why they are all gone. When Todd finds the absence of Noise he doesn't find a Spackle, (whatever that is?) but he finds a girl. Any speculation about this?
I think the women are gone just because, im not sure why they don't hear the noise, Spackle seem to be aliens or something?
How do I copy the questions so I can comment on them?
DQs for Part I - Chapters 1-61) The Book starts with introducing this concept of the Noise and Todd can hear his dog's thoughts. Todd does not seem to like his dog. How do you think this relationship might develop? Do you think Todd will grow to feel differently about his dog? Do you think the relationship might grow and change?
Hmm, I'm not a dog person, so I think Manchee seems pretty stupid (sorry all dog friends!). So I'm not surprised that Todd isn't too fond of it. And doggy thoughts sure are simple, LOL! Don't know whether Todd will grow to like Manchee more.
2) We have learned that Todd is the only remaining boy in his town, everyone else has moved on to manhood, at 13 years old. There seems to be some secret initiation, secrets that the boys are kept from that are revealed when they become men. Why do you think this might be?
I think it's probably something pretty scary, not necessarily scary in itself, but some truths told or something like that.
3) Aaron was defenitely introduced as an ominous character from the jump. It was strange that he was in the marsh when Todd was and kind of popped up out of nowhere. What do you think Aaron was up to? Do you think he knew about the girl or the absence of noise?
I thought it was just a coincidence. He seems so slimy that if he had known about the girl or the absence of the noise he would have done something about it.
4) I was getting a little concerned when Ben and Cillian were trying to get Todd the hell out of dodge and Todd was being so resistant. What were you feelings around this.
I was surprised that he didn't seem to realise he was in danger.
5) I was wondering if women/girls don't hear the Noise and if that has something to do with why they are all gone. When Todd finds the absence of Noise he doesn't find a Spackle, (whatever that is?) but he finds a girl. Any speculation about this?
Wasn't there some text in the beginning (too lazy to look it up) where it was said that the disease that brought the noise killed half of the men and all women - at least that's the official explanation. But where the girl came from I have no idea. Looking forward to reading about it!
I'm liking the book a lot so far. It reminds me quite a lot of another very good book I read a while ago, Shades of Grey: The Road to High Saffron.
I think it is interesting how the language has started to "break down", e.g. the word "stayshun" is used instead of station.
DQs for Part I - Chapters 1-61) The Book starts with introducing this concept of the Noise and Todd can hear his dog's thoughts. Todd does not seem to like his dog. How do you think this relationship might develop? Do you think Todd will grow to feel differently about his dog? Do you think the relationship might grow and change?
I think there relationship will grow since they seem to be together all the time even though Todd doesn't like him at the moment.
2) We have learned that Todd is the only remaining boy in his town, everyone else has moved on to manhood, at 13 years old. There seems to be some secret initiation, secrets that the boys are kept from that are revealed when they become men. Why do you think this might be?
I have no idea but I think it has something to do with having sex. Its the only thing I can think of but I don't understand the fear of it.
3) Aaron was defenitely introduced as an ominous character from the jump. It was strange that he was in the marsh when Todd was and kind of popped up out of nowhere. What do you think Aaron was up to? Do you think he knew about the girl or the absence of noise?
Aaron was definitely up to something. I think he knew about the women and might have done something to them but didn't see the girl until Todd showed up. I believe the missing women will come into play during the story.
4) I was getting a little concerned when Ben and Cillian were trying to get Todd the hell out of dodge and Todd was being so resistant. What were you feelings around this.
I think since they are older they know what is going to happen to Todd if he stayed but I think there is more that they weren't telling him. I think there's more to Todd than meets the eye and something to do with the women too.
5) I was wondering if women/girls don't hear the Noise and if that has something to do with why they are all gone. When Todd finds the absence of Noise he doesn't find a Spackle, (whatever that is?) but he finds a girl. Any speculation about this?
I think the fact of the women/girls don't have the noise but can hear it has something to do with the fact that there aren't any of them. Maybe the men couldn't deal with that fact and they tell the story about women dying of a disease. I don't know but I think there's a lie somewhere and the truth is what Todd is being sent to find.
DQs for Part I - Chapters 1-61. I think eventually they will become friends because when he has to run away Manchee is the only 'friend' he has.
2. I think that the boys don't know what the secret is because it is scary and if they knew they wouldn't want to become a man.
3. I think Aaron knew about the girl and the absence of noise and he doesn't want everyone else to find out.
4. Obviously they knew something that Todd doesn't. I think they are trying to protect him, but giving him his mom's journal makes me think that there is a link between Todd and the missing women.
5. I think they women don't have/can't hear the noise and some disease came and killed them off. Somehow this girl survived
I've only read upto chapter 3 and I'm not feeling this book. The spelling and grammar are really annoying. I'm not sure I'm going to continue.
I just started this, gosh noise would be my worst nightmare ever. I'm a girl who loves her peace and quiet.Manchee is adorable, I'm thinking this book is going to be a good one.
DQs for Part I - Chapters 1-61) The Book starts with introducing this concept of the Noise and Todd can hear his dog's thoughts. Todd does not seem to like his dog. How do you think this relationship might develop? Do you think Todd will grow to feel differently about his dog? Do you think the relationship might grow and change?
I think Manchee will be a huge part of the story. I think over time Todd will come to rely more on his Dog for comfort.
2) We have learned that Todd is the only remaining boy in his town, everyone else has moved on to manhood, at 13 years old. There seems to be some secret initiation, secrets that the boys are kept from that are revealed when they become men. Why do you think this might be?
I am not really sure why. Perhaps it is still the leftover mentality of the cult. You don't become privy to information until you are a man. Its something for the boy to look forward to as their existence seems to be pretty desolate.
3) Aaron was defenitely introduced as an ominous character from the jump. It was strange that he was in the marsh when Todd was and kind of popped up out of nowhere. What do you think Aaron was up to? Do you think he knew about the girl or the absence of noise?
Aaron is definitely an interesting character. I am not sure yet as to who his involvement or knowledge of events.
4) I was getting a little concerned when Ben and Cillian were trying to get Todd the hell out of dodge and Todd was being so resistant. What were you feelings around this.
I thought they were wanting to protect Todd definitely but perhaps not with so much drama, especially considering everyone can hear your Noise. Definitely explaining to him and being rational about it would have been better. yet it did provide a real sense of urgency.
5) I was wondering if women/girls don't hear the Noise and if that has something to do with why they are all gone. When Todd finds the absence of Noise he doesn't find a Spackle, (whatever that is?) but he finds a girl. Any speculation about this?
Not sure about the girl She could be an orphan or a spy. Perhaps there is another bunch of people who were not affected by the Noise. interesting that men always complain about women nagging and just talk talk talking and yet the men are the one still alive and there sure is a lot of noise with no women to contribute to it.
I am not sure yet if I am liking this story. There are some elements that will probably keep me intrigued. I really don't have a problem with the grammar or spelling. I just thought it was written by a 12 year old boy
Renee wrote: "I just started. Only a couple of pages in, but I giggled and thought of this."
that's really cute....what movie is that from?
Day 2 - Chapters 7-12 - DQs6. So the "quiet" was a girl. She's wearing clothes similar to Todd's but newer. So much newer, they look like a uniform. When I first read this part my immediate thought was that perhaps that was the big secret -- the women/girls hadn't all died, but instead might be sequestered somewhere else like a concentration camp? What were your initial thoughts about the girl & where she might have come from?
7. How in the world did Aaron survive being drug off by a crocodile? His Noise is louder and crazier than everyone else's. I'm beginning to wonder if there isn't more to Aaron. Any thoughts on where Aaron might fit in? I don't think I believe he is truly dead. What do you think? Will we be seeing more of him in the future?
8. Aaron referred to the girl as "The Holy Sacrament", "The Sign from God", and "The Path of the Saint". He also pictured the girl drinking wine and partaking of the host. These all seem to have significant Catholic undertones. What part do you think religion might play as the novel continues?
9. Aaron ultimately envisioned the girl being sacrificed. Could that be the big secret? Do you think that is what happened to all the women/girls?
10. The air ship, and the surrounding greenery, seem to be still smoking making it seem the crash just happened -- or at least not that long ago. They haven't gone that far from the outskirts of Prentisstown. You would think somebody saw or heard something. Could that be why Aaron was spending so much time in the swamp? Do you think the kids are in more danger than just people looking for Todd?
11. The girl seems to not react like you would think she would if the dead couple were in fact her parents. Does anyone else think that there is going to be more to the girl's story? Something that's going to be revealed later -- a big prophecy perhaps, or somehow she's the pivotal point in some larger story?
12. The descriptions of the Mayor and his circle in the first chapters were very reminiscent of societies usually portrayed in dystopian novels. Those novels however are usually set many years into that society -- after the society is fully formed, complete control, a supreme ruler -- this seems to be how you would imagine one of those societies would begin: burning books, outlawing school, etc. Do you think their break-off settlement could have been from a larger similar society?
13. There have been slight references to the world they inhabit that mark it as different from ours. Two moons. The cassor (bird like creatures). The Spackle. Have you noticed any other different traits?
14. Manchee makes me think of Oberon from the Iron Druid Chronicles, although with a bit less vocabulary. While it might, on occasion, be fun to hear what an animal is thinking, I don't think I would want it to be constant influx. The girl at first didn't seem to be able to hear the Noise, she also hasn't spoken. Why do you think she hasn't tried to communicate in any way verbally with Todd?
Day 2 - Chapters 7-12 - DQs1. So the "quiet" was a girl. She's wearing clothes similar to Todd's but newer. So much newer, they look like a uniform. When I first read this part my immediate thought was that perhaps that was the big secret -- the women/girls hadn't all died, but instead might be sequestered somewhere else like a concentration camp? What were your initial thoughts about the girl & where she might have come from?
That's my thought as well. That the women were either sent away to a camp or killed, and some survivors were able to set up a settlement.
2. How in the world did Aaron survive being drug off by a crocodile? His Noise is louder and crazier than everyone else's. I'm beginning to wonder if there isn't more to Aaron. Any thoughts on where Aaron might fit in? I don't think I believe he is truly dead. What do you think? Will we be seeing more of him in the future?
I don't believe he's dead and some kind of revenant. I think he's crazytown. Between his insanity and zealotry, he's quite motivated to keep after Todd and the girl.
3. Aaron referred to the girl as "The Holy Sacrament", "The Sign from God", and "The Path of the Saint". He also pictured the girl drinking wine and partaking of the host. These all seem to have significant Catholic undertones. What part do you think religion might play as the novel continues?
I don't think it's necessarily Catholic. Protestants have Communion also. When society breaks down, on a small or a large scale, people cling to religion and ritual. It puts the control out of their own hands and into God's hands, which makes the situation seem more tolerable I guess. I come from a religious background, but I'm not religious as an adult, so I don't really understand the need for it. I recognize it, because it's strong in my family and where I live. I just don't feel it.
4. Aaron ultimately envisioned the girl being sacrificed. Could that be the big secret? Do you think that is what happened to all the women/girls?
If the women didn't project Noise, but could hear Noise, then the men probably killed them. They may have believed it was the only way to appease God so he would remove the Noise. The men weren't going to believe they had the problem, so it must be the women that are defective since everyone else has Noise.
Who knows? It's hard to understand crazy.
5. The air ship, and the surrounding greenery, seem to be still smoking making it seem the crash just happened -- or at least not that long ago. They haven't gone that far from the outskirts of Prentisstown. You would think somebody saw or heard something. Could that be why Aaron was spending so much time in the swamp? Do you think the kids are in more danger than just people looking for Todd?
I had the same thought. This must be some type of airplane or helicopter, which would make noise itself not to mention the noise of the crash. And there was a man in it, who could have projected noise as well. I think that's why Aaron was in the woods and stumbling upon Todd was a coincidence. The girl may have heard Todd's noise and was headed toward him for help, not knowing that Prentisstown should be called New Jonestown for its level of nuts.
6. The girl seems to not react like you would think she would if the dead couple were in fact her parents. Does anyone else think that there is going to be more to the girl's story? Something that's going to be revealed later -- a big prophecy perhaps, or somehow she's the pivotal point in some larger story?
I'm not suspecting prophecy, but I am suspecting a big reveal. Why were they flying to this part of the world? Maybe it's gotten worse elsewhere and they had to flee. I don't think the adults were scientists out exploring, because that wouldn't explain why they have a young girl with them.
7. The descriptions of the Mayor and his circle in the first chapters were very reminiscent of societies usually portrayed in dystopian novels. Those novels however are usually set many years into that society -- after the society is fully formed, complete control, a supreme ruler -- this seems to be how you would imagine one of those societies would begin: burning books, outlawing school, etc. Do you think their break-off settlement could have been from a larger similar society?
I think an apocalyptic event occurred, and isolated pockets of society developed. Some won't be like Prentisstown. They may have kept the women. Some towns may be run by women.
8. There have been slight references to the world they inhabit that mark it as different from ours. Two moons. The cassor (bird like creatures). The Spackle. Have you noticed any other different traits?
I initially thought this was an Earth based story, and I'm still not sure that it isn't. The 2 moons may be related to something that's happened in the future that changed Earth significantly. Todd recalls Ben talking about some of the creatures being the way they are due to 'evolushun' which makes me suspect they're still on Earth.
Of course, Ben says people came to the planet on airships....so are they on Mars? Are the Spackle Martians? Seems unlikely, as they're breathing the atmosphere.
Earth could have 2 moons, but our moon is huge compared to others. I don't think it would be a stable state, even after the initial apocalyptic events when a 2nd moon came into Earth's orbit.
I have to read more before I can make a real guess.
9. Manchee makes me think of Oberon from the Iron Druid Chronicles, although with a bit less vocabulary. While it might, on occasion, be fun to hear what an animal is thinking, I don't think I would want it to be constant influx. The girl at first didn't seem to be able to hear the Noise, she also hasn't spoken. Why do you think she hasn't tried to communicate in any way verbally with Todd?
If I were a spy in a foreign country, the best way to obtain information would be to pretend I didn't understand the local language. She's gathering data. Trying to see if she can trust Tood and find out what he knows before she reveals that she can speak. Once she does that, he'll expect some information from her in return.
Good questions, Rosina!
@CynthiaGreat point about the women being able to hear the Noise but not project it.
The "New Jonestown" comment cracked me up! Totally fits!
DQs for Part I - Chapters 1-61) The Book starts with introducing this concept of the Noise and Todd can hear his dog's thoughts. Todd does not seem to like his dog. How do you think this relationship might develop? Do you think Todd will grow to feel differently about his dog? Do you think the relationship might grow and change?
I don't know why Todd doesn't like Manchee, most boys would love having a dog. I guess he is annoyed by Manchee's dog noise and the responsibility of it all. I think since Manchee is sent with him to escape that their relationship will become more positive.
2) We have learned that Todd is the only remaining boy in his town, everyone else has moved on to manhood, at 13 years old. There seems to be some secret initiation, secrets that the boys are kept from that are revealed when they become men. Why do you think this might be?
13 is a common age for recognizing manhood and when boys are held accountable for their actions. I have a bad feeling about what Prentisstown does to initiate its boys to men.
3) Aaron was defenitely introduced as an ominous character from the jump. It was strange that he was in the marsh when Todd was and kind of popped up out of nowhere. What do you think Aaron was up to? Do you think he knew about the girl or the absence of noise? Since Aaron shows up later in the swamp with Todd, I think maybe he is following him. Todd even accuses Aaron of sending the sheriff after him and attacks him both times they meet.
4) I was getting a little concerned when Ben and Cillian were trying to get Todd the hell out of dodge and Todd was being so resistant. What were you feelings around this. I kept wanting Ben to explain a little bit of why they were sending him away and why he was in danger, but I think they couldn't because it would be too dangerous in Todd's noise. They probably told him as little as possible about the danger to protect him. Understandably, Todd was very resistant to leave the only home he's ever known and the people who care for him.
5) I was wondering if women/girls don't hear the Noise and if that has something to do with why they are all gone. When Todd finds the absence of Noise he doesn't find a Spackle, (whatever that is?) but he finds a girl. Any speculation about this? Right now I think the girls/women must be the quiet that Todd first discovers in the beginning of the book.
Added note about the misspellings and bad grammar..It doesn't really bother me as much as it did some other readers. I view it as showing the breakdown in society that the men in Prentisstown are experiencing. The books have been burned, and Todd's guardian, Ben, was jailed for attempting to teach Todd to read.
Cynthia wrote: "Day 2 - Chapters 7-12 - DQs1. So the "quiet" was a girl. She's wearing clothes similar to Todd's but newer. So much newer, they look like a uniform. When I first read this part my immediate thoug..."
Just realized I'm supposed to keep the numbers going from the other DQs. -- it's my first time y'all forgive me?! I wrote the questions last week.
Changed them.
DQs for Part I - Chapters 1-61) The Book starts with introducing this concept of the Noise and Todd can hear his dog's thoughts. Todd does not seem to like his dog. How do you think this relationship might develop? Do you think Todd will grow to feel differently about his dog? Do you think the relationship might grow and change?
- As they say, 'Dogs are man's best friend'. I think they will get along better. It seems that Manchee- although a loving character- annoys Todd to no end. But I feel that he's better company rather than having nothing.
2) We have learned that Todd is the only remaining boy in his town, everyone else has moved on to manhood, at 13 years old. There seems to be some secret initiation, secrets that the boys are kept from that are revealed when they become men. Why do you think this might be?
- I feel like they're hiding something. They obviously are. Why keep it a secret unless they're afraid of something getting out.
3) Aaron was defenitely introduced as an ominous character from the jump. It was strange that he was in the marsh when Todd was and kind of popped up out of nowhere. What do you think Aaron was up to? Do you think he knew about the girl or the absence of noise?
- Aaron seemed to know something. I couldn't be sure what, but he seems to have a one tracked mind. I find him creepy.
4) I was getting a little concerned when Ben and Cillian were trying to get Todd the hell out of dodge and Todd was being so resistant. What were you feelings around this.
- At first I felt like Todd was being stupid. I was basically yelling at him in my head; 'Get out! Leave! They're going to get you!' I was hoping that he would see sense. Although, I understand his reluctance. If you lived with people all your life and they were basically your parents, you wouldn't want to leave. To him it seemed like they were kicking him out.
5) I was wondering if women/girls don't hear the Noise and if that has something to do with why they are all gone. When Todd finds the absence of Noise he doesn't find a Spackle, (whatever that is?) but he finds a girl. Any speculation about this?
- At first when Todd said there was a hole in the Noise. I thought that hole could have been a portal and the girl stepped through. I'd too think it would've been a Spackle since they were more likely to be there than a female.
I was a bit late with answering these questions even though I finished the chapters on time. I'm also sick so I fell asleep before I could begin to answer them
Caron wrote: "I was a bit late with answering these questions even though I finished the chapters on time. I'm also sick so I fell asleep before I could begin to answer them "You don't have to answer them on the day they're posted. It's not like homework (thank goodness!) Not everyone can start reading on the same day or get the reading done at the same pace, so you aren't the only one posting 'late'.
Day 2 - Chapters 7-12 - DQs6. So the "quiet" was a girl. She's wearing clothes similar to Todd's but newer. So much newer, they look like a uniform. When I first read this part my immediate thought was that perhaps that was the big secret -- the women/girls hadn't all died, but instead might be sequestered somewhere else like a concentration camp? What were your initial thoughts about the girl & where she might have come from?
- I thought that maybe she was from a place like Todd's except the complete opposite. Where Todd's town and life is filled with Noise, her's is nothing but Silence.
7. How in the world did Aaron survive being drug off by a crocodile? His Noise is louder and crazier than everyone else's. I'm beginning to wonder if there isn't more to Aaron. Any thoughts on where Aaron might fit in? I don't think I believe he is truly dead. What do you think? Will we be seeing more of him in the future?
- Aaron freaks me out. He won't die and I feel like we'll keep seeing him, if not in person then in Todd's thoughts. But seriously though, he was mauled by a crocodile...How could he survive that?
8. Aaron referred to the girl as "The Holy Sacrament", "The Sign from God", and "The Path of the Saint". He also pictured the girl drinking wine and partaking of the host. These all seem to have significant Catholic undertones. What part do you think religion might play as the novel continues?
- Well, Aaron is a preacher. And believes that this is what God wanted. Naturally he'd want to sacrifice something he finds...fascinating? Unusual?
9. Aaron ultimately envisioned the girl being sacrificed. Could that be the big secret? Do you think that is what happened to all the women/girls?
-I found it hard to believe that a virus only killed females. A sacrifice of all women wouldn't be a bad thing to think, given everything that has happened. Maybe he thought none of the women were perfect and he thinks this on girl is.
10. The air ship, and the surrounding greenery, seem to be still smoking making it seem the crash just happened -- or at least not that long ago. They haven't gone that far from the outskirts of Prentisstown. You would think somebody saw or heard something. Could that be why Aaron was spending so much time in the swamp? Do you think the kids are in more danger than just people looking for Todd?
- Aaron is a weird person. He sees things other people don't. I think he's problem is that he believes too much. Todd seems to be the odd one out. He's still a boy compared to the others. They know something that he doesn't, so I don't think anyone's in more danger. The prime focus is Todd, and if not him, then the girl.
11. The girl seems to not react like you would think she would if the dead couple were in fact her parents. Does anyone else think that there is going to be more to the girl's story? Something that's going to be revealed later -- a big prophecy perhaps, or somehow she's the pivotal point in some larger story?
- She's quiet. Literally. She doesn't talk and hardly reacts. I didn't think there was time to mourn. It shows later on that she actually understands what Todd's been saying. She understands the need to hurry. A prophecy sounds applicable, we'd have to find out. So far, I can't read her well and Todd is angry most of the time.
12. The descriptions of the Mayor and his circle in the first chapters were very reminiscent of societies usually portrayed in dystopian novels. Those novels however are usually set many years into that society -- after the society is fully formed, complete control, a supreme ruler -- this seems to be how you would imagine one of those societies would begin: burning books, outlawing school, etc. Do you think their break-off settlement could have been from a larger similar society?
It's possible. Though I do think that if that were the case The Mayor couldn't follow the rules and set out to make his own. It's mention that knowledge is dangerous. The books, videos, school all hold something that could teach the children things that the Mayor would rather let them forget. Maybe he thinks that if they don't know anything, he'd have control over them.
13. There have been slight references to the world they inhabit that mark it as different from ours. Two moons. The cassor (bird like creatures). The Spackle. Have you noticed any other different traits?
-The bridge that Todd couldn't saw. It somehow was covered in something that maid it mostly impenetrable. Also, I was fascinated by the girls box. Seemed to come in handy.
14. Manchee makes me think of Oberon from the Iron Druid Chronicles, although with a bit less vocabulary. While it might, on occasion, be fun to hear what an animal is thinking, I don't think I would want it to be constant influx. The girl at first didn't seem to be able to hear the Noise, she also hasn't spoken. Why do you think she hasn't tried to communicate in any way verbally with Todd?
- Maybe she wanted to know what he was thinking before she revealed that she could hear them. She just met him and he was holding a knife out to her and not to mention Aaron. Naturally she'd have trust issues.
Nothing But Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Shades of Grey (other topics)Crime and Punishment (other topics)
Chaos Walking: A Trilogy (other topics)
The Memory Room (other topics)
The Knife of Never Letting Go (other topics)
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We had volunteers from 10 different teams and 7 days of DQs so the list of volunteers was randomised and the first 7 in that randomised list are our DQ writers. Thes..."
Thanks! I'm excited to write the questions. I can do any of the days, so just fill me in where you need someone.