The Knife of Never Letting Go

Chaos Walking, Book 1

By: Patrick Ness

Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Now a major motion picture, the first novel in the riveting Chaos Walking trilogy by two-time Carnegie Medalist Patrick Ness.

“Narrated with crack dramatic and comic timing.... The cliffhanger ending is as effective as a shot to the gut.” --Booklist (starred review)

Todd Hewitt is the only boy in a town of men. Ever since the settlers were infected with the Noise germ, Todd can hear everything the men think, and they hear everything he thinks. Todd is just a month away from becoming a man, but in the midst of the cacophony, he knows that the town is hiding something from him - something so awful Todd is forced to flee with only his dog, whose simple, loyal voice he hears too. With hostile men from the town in pursuit, the two stumble upon a strange and eerily silent creature: a girl. Who is she? Why wasn't she killed by the germ like all the females on New World? Propelled by Todd's gritty narration, readers are in for a white-knuckle journey in which a boy on the cusp of manhood must unlearn everything he knows in order to figure out who he truly is.

©2008 Patrick Ness (P)2010 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Furiously paced, terrifying, exhilarating, and heartbreaking, The Knife of Never Letting Go is a book that haunts your imagination." ( Sunday Telegraph, UK)

"A penetrating look at...what it takes to be a man in a society gone horribly wrong." ( Booklist)

"A series opener as promising as it is provocative." ( The Horn Book)

"Here's the truth... oh look, an interruption!"

Excellent narrator. Unfortunately the author artificially blocks every reveal. Painfully obvious plot holes. I really wanted to like it, but I can't.

I loved this book! "Todd, poo Todd!!!"

All I'm going to say is this book is well worth the credit, its an amazing story, written very well and Nick Podehl brings the characters to life in a way that no one else could. Go, spend your credit and buy this book, you won't regret it!!!!!

Started slow, unappealing diction

The book started slow and very boring. However, a few chapters in, it really picked up.

The farmer boy diction wasn't very appealing. It fit in with the theme, but hearing that doesn't make it much more acceptable. Hearing the word ain't so many times started making me cringe later on in the book when it really picked up and made me binge listen.

Other than these few negative remarks, the book was quite impressive. It really drags you in and is exciting.

dying inside

I only changed my answer from 5 stars to 4 stars for "story" because this book ripped my heart out, threw it on the ground, stomped on it and set it on fire in a single page.

Makes more sense than the movie

I got curious as the movie presented an interesting story, but too many holes. So I read the entire series. The story is ok, but falls into the teen angst a little too much for me. The rest of the series doesn’t do that much more.

Not something I would have picked

In learning how to use the app, so.ehow this book showed up in my library. I figured I would give it a try and now I can't wait to listen to the next book in the series!

Love love love

I loved this book. I read it back in high school but I've read so many books and it's been so long since I read it that I forgot just about all of it. I wasn't sure about the accent even though I know that's how it was written. but it was amazing. just a wonderful experience. I couldn't wait until the next time I could sit down and listen to it.

Hopeless and so repetitive

I really wanted to like this book but most of the time I was just frustrated and annoyed by the endless descriptions and constant repetition. Also, the main character cannot catch a break. Ever. Depressing and hopeless.

Spectacular Story and Endearing Narration

The story itself engaged me such that I couldn't stop listening. The narration brought the story even more to life.

Didn't expect this...

Okay, of all the 100+ audio books I've I've listened to this is the first for a review.

This book starts out completely silly. I'm listening and laughing and before I know it I'm so hooked I can't put it down. Allowing myself to suspend all disbelief, I'm running through the swamp, looking for my dog and imagining strange birds and yackish creatures. I'm holding my breath, pressing for Todd & Viola to find safety. I quietly swell then weep when a boy finds and says goodbye to father - and when he meets his mother for the first time I sob. I warm as he begins to understand he's become a man - and feels the first vibrations of love. A book that has left me feeling satiated and wanting more...downloading book 2 now.