The Knife of Never Letting Go

Ness, P. (2009). The knife of never letting go. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Todd Hewitt is the only young boy in this new world called Prentisstown, where all the men can hear each other’s (and even their pets) thoughts.  This “Noise” was caused by aliens when they released a germ while at war with mankind.  Man won the war, but many died and all the women in Prentisstown died as well.  Todd was the only baby survivor, and without women, no other children have been born.  He lives with his foster parents, Ben and Cillian, who have taken care of him since his parents died.  This suspenseful story begins with Todd and his dog Manchee, walking through the swamp.  Todd discovers a break in the Noise he is always hearing.  He returns home to discuss it with his foster parents.  This news is alarming to them and they explain Todd must leave the town immediately.  Todd and Manchee are given little supplies including a knife and a diary from Todd’s mother that he is unable to read because he was not allowed to be taught.  As Todd is fleeing the town, he stumbles across Aaron, the town’s preacher and is actually after Todd.  Todd manages to get away and continues to run away from this town, not knowing why he is even needing to flee.  Todd discovers the silence in the Noise once again, only this time he finds the source, a girl named Viola, who is silent.  The two of them begin their journey of escape from Prentisstown men, as they chase the two from settlement to settlement.  Todd learns that there are actually women outside his own town.  How did they survive the Noise Germ?  Todd learns a secret his town has kept from him.  The men of Prentisstown are outlaws and responsible for killing the aliens, who he found to not be threatening at all, and the women.  With Aaron as the lead, the Prentisstown army eventually find Todd and Viola, kidnapping her and leaving Todd to die.  Chapter 31 is difficult for readers.  Manchee sacrafices himself to help rescue Todd and Viola, ripping the nose off Aaron and causing several injuries.  Aaron makes Todd chose, and without a choice, Todd is unable to rescue both.  Todd and Viola eventually escape, near death and Viola have just killed Aaron.  The two return to a safe town only to find it empty and with a new threat.  This novel is intense and full of suspense.  I was frustrated with the ending even though I know it is book one of a trilogy.  Readers will enjoy the rest of this trilogy by reading “The Ask and the Answer” and “Monsters of Men” all by Ness.