WORLD BOOK NIGHT : THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO.

Book 3 read for the What's In A Name 6  reading challenge (Something To Be found In The Kitchen Category) ......

A giver of this exceptional novel at tonight's World Book Night, as I explained in yesterdays post as part of the event I'll also be giving a talk on my experiences as a book blogger. Please be sure to keep your fingers crossed for me as not a natural public speaker I feel quite sick with dread.

THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO (Chaos Walking #1) by PATRICK NESS.

Todd Hewitt is the last boy in Prentisstown.

But Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts in a constant, overwhelming, never-ending Noise. There is no privacy. There are no secrets.

Or are there?

Just one month from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd unexpectedly stumbles upon a spot of complete silence.

Which is impossible.

Prentisstown has been lying to him.

And now he's going to have to run.
...... Outer back cover.

FIRST SENTENCE (Part 1, Chapter 1): The first thing

you find out when yer dog learns to talk is that dogs don't got nothing much to say.

MEMORABLE MOMENT (Page 392): "War is a monster," he says, almost to himself. "War is the devil. It starts and it consumes and it grows and grows and grows." He's looking at me now. "And otherwise normal men become monsters, too."

MY THOUGHTS: Not a book that grabbed my attention from the beginning, it was only when I noticed the time, that it was now the wee small hours of the morning that I realised just how engrossed I'd actually become.

Essentially a coming of age story but one so cleverly written that not only will it appeal to both sexes but also to those of all ages from I'd say early teens upwards.

Yes, I know it says Guardian Children's Fiction Prize on the top right cover * but (the issue of whether or not it is too violent aside) because of the somewhat complex issues that arise I think less mature readers may well find this a difficult story to fully understand. Though yet again, a book that can be read and understood on so many different levels perhaps the younger reader might appreciate it merely as an exciting read with a talking dog rather than an exciting read with some pretty profound messages.

Told from the point of view of Todd who at twelve years and twelve months of age will become a man in one months time The Knife Of Never Letting Go largely follows his, Manchee (the afore mentioned talking dog) and Viola (the first girl Todd has ever encountered) on their flight towards Haven. 

Like or loathe the fact that some of Todd's speech is misspelled (not having  much of a formal educayshun he is illiterate), that his thought processes can be disjointed, the 'Noise' distracting this is without a doubt a unique story. Perhaps a tad too long and arguably full of too much running, it ended on a cliffhanger that if you are anything like me will leave you longing to read the next book (The Ask And The Answer) and who knows even the one after that.

KEEP IT OR NOT?: Though I was a 'giver' of this on World Book Night, I purchased this, my own personal copy, from Amazon. Without a doubt it has a place on our shelves.

* The bottom right cover was especially commissioned for the World Book Night edition of the book.

Disclaimer #1 :Removal of any part of this post without my express consent is considered copyright infringement. This post was created by and for Petty Witter @ Pen and Paper. If you are reading this post on any other site please contact the original blog owner/reviewer.