The Perks Of Being A Book Addict discussion

Our Themed BOTM for April is The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. Please discuss here and remember to use spoiler tags as needed, as everyone may start at different times and reads at different speeds.



Summary
Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts in an overwhelming, never-ending stream of Noise. Just a month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd and his dog, Manchee -- whose thoughts Todd can hear too, whether he wants to or not -- stumble upon an area of complete silence. They find that in a town where privacy is impossible, something terrible has been hidden -- a secret so awful that Todd and Manchee must run for their lives.

But how do you escape when your pursuers can hear your every thought?

I look forward to seeing what everyone thinks of this book. I listened to the audio and it did not work for me. I felt the main character was really whiny and the repetitive whining / shouting thoughts through audio really bothered me. I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed the book more, if I had read a physical copy instead of listening to it, but by the end, I simply didn't care. I hope everyone enjoys it more than I did. I know plenty of people that did.

my review

I have this book sitting on my desk and finished the first chapter. Here are some of my first impressions:

It was painful reading through the words and grammar and sentences. I am a Grammar Nazi by nature (even though I don't like to use that phrase) and so my brain kept on automatically correcting every little flaw and mistake, making me not concentrate on the story itself."Automatically editing" is the term that I would use. Hopefully I'll try to set that aside and move forward with focusing in on the story.

I read this book and the rest of the series a few months ago and absolutely loved it. I had a physical copy of the book and I think it does make a difference. The e book is probably ok but I can't imagine how they would do the audio. Todd is a little annoying at the start but I think he does grow on you.

What I loved most though was being able to hear the thoughts of the animals. I can totally believe what was going through their heads.

If you have any issue with dodgy grammar and spelling you might get on with the writing. It takes a bit to get used to but I thought it fit really well with the story.

Alison - end spoiler (view spoiler)[ I loved the dog! I was so sad that he was killed. I don't think I've gotten over it! That scene was so horrible. (hide spoiler)]

I agree that the physical copy may have turned out better for me. The audio may have been my downfall.

This is one of my favorite books! I am excited to see what everyone thinks of it.

I do think that this dodgy grammar and spelling fits within the story,(so you're right Alison) after all the author is dealing with portraying a twelve year old boy--who obviously can't have the perfect grammar expectations that I do.--

It's slowly growing on me, this writing style. And although I can't say that I'm yet hooked, or that I love this book, I can at least appreciate that tactic that is being explored.

I loved this book. I guess in an audio book Todd could sound whiny, but I never thought of him in that way, maybe angry or frustrated. And the way they talked! It bothered me a little, but just at the beginning.

I wish I had a talking dog! :) Wonderful Manchee!

Kristie wrote: "Alison - end spoiler [spoilers removed]

I agree that the physical copy may have turned out better for me. The audio may have been my downfall."

Totally agree about (end spoiler) (view spoiler)[Manchee I was absolutely devastated when he died. I think the relationship between Todd and Manchee was one of my favourite things. Manchee was just completely devoted to Todd and would have done anything for him. It broke my heart when Todd had to leave him. I actually want to cry just thinking about it (hide spoiler)]

I always find audio books a bit hit or miss. It all comes down to the narrator and whether you like them or not. I think with Patrick Ness his books are very visual (although the only other book of his I've read is a Monster Calls). I love the way he depicts the noise with big giant words in a different font. There are whole pages of noise in the books so I have to admit to being curious how it works in the audio.

Todd does start quite immature and a bit whiny but I think he grows up through the story and he is actually quite young at the start, 12 or 13 from memory.

It's a fascinating idea, the noise thing. I think I would hate knowing what everyone was thinking and I'd hate them knowing every thought I had even more. You can definitely understand why people spread out and try to get as far away from everyone else as possible.

It took me a while to get into this book but when I did, it was great. Patrick Ness is a great writer and is truly imaginative. As mentioned above, it was interesting to "hear the noises" and to have to read the book the way they spoke. I had to get used to it but once I did it really puts you right where you need to be; in the right mind frame.

After having finished this book I can't wait to read the second one!

I just finished this book, and ohmygoodness!
(view spoiler)[I actually was in bed and literally cried so hard when Manchee died. Todd has lost his most beloved companion and his best friend, and not only did he lose him, but also the readers lost that contact with Manchee. For me personally, that was probably the most devastating moment of the whole books, it came crashing down so unexpectedly. Also, I think that the relationship between Viola and Todd is so unique and strong, at least in the first book before they got separated. (hide spoiler)]

I'm planning on reading and getting the next book. Has anyone read that book and can recommend it or tell me about it in some way?(though in my experience, first books of a series are ALWAYS the best-because the relationships are usually stronger)

I agree with the grammar/spelling issues. It's difficult to read and it just doesn't make a lot of logical sense. The fact that Todd is lacking in education comes across clearly in his grammar and sentence structure; misspellings really aren't necessary and make the book much harder to read.

And I'll also agree with those who think Todd is whiny. I understand that he's young, scared, and confused, but sweet bippity, he has a tendency of working against his own best interests. And then whining about things aren't working out. Hopefully he shows some growth as things progress.

Marcelina I've read all 3 and would definitely recommend you keep going. The story moves on a lot and there's more character development.

I just finished reading and I'm so torn on my rating.

On the one hand, I really liked the overall plot. I loved the world that Ness built and I loved where he took it.(view spoiler)[I also loved the doom and gloom ending. (hide spoiler)]

On the other hand, I was bored by the characters. I didn't think they had much personality. However, I didn't think Todd was whiny as much as overly innocent and naive.

Alison wrote: "Marcelina I've read all 3 and would definitely recommend you keep going. The story moves on a lot and there's more character development."

Alright, the rest of the books are there in my library, and I think that I'm too invested in the characters, and rooting and shipping them so hard (especially Viola) that it will be necessary to keep on reading throughout the whole series. Thanks for the encouragement!

About Todd being whiny, I do see @Esse's point in that, and I think that it's valid at the beginning of the book, but if you power through it, he'll get way less whiny because there are more serious problems that are literally on the horizon.

Hmm @Chase, but since he's also 12 (or 13), isn't it normal for a person that age to be both innocent and naive? (view spoiler)[ Also, he did kill that primal creature- (I forgot the name), and was 100% ready to kill Aaron for the sake and protection of Viola. I think that by the end of the book he lost some of his innocence, and with the help of Viola shed some of his naiveness. I can't decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing. :/ (hide spoiler)]

Finished this while having a lovely lunch with my husband. Waitress thought it was great we were both reading real books. I am pondering what to say...the second books is on its way, so there is that. I want to know more. Todd seemed very determined to cling to what he'd been told, although it was patently clear that everything he believed was false. Author had him stubbornly clinging to all that long past its being at all believable, & that annoyed me. But I liked the book overall, & hope the characters evolve.

Now that I'm finished with, I can definitely say the book disappointed me. The plot didn't seem to hold together really well for a few reasons:(view spoiler)[
1. The author never addressed the inherent issue in the Prentisstown men killing each other off and having no women for reproduction.

2. The men in town didn't seem crazy or goal-directed enough to be part of a doomsday cult or invading army.

3. Aaron on his own didn't seem crazy enough to rally the whole town behind him. And the way he kept showing up felt like lazy writing.

4. It made no sense that some of the men in town would spend so much time hunting Todd down as a pretty meaningless symbol. (hide spoiler)]

Overall, this book just didn't work for me. Usually when I read the first of a series and aren't interested enough to read the sequels, I'll at least check Wikipedia to see how it all shakes out. Here, I didn't care enough. And I had such high hopes for this book! The plot made an awesome first impression, but I just didn't find the writer strong or clear enough to carry it through.

Hmm, I do agree that there may have been a couple of gaping plot holes: In reply to Esse's spoiler:
(view spoiler)[I agree, the whole motive thing of the Prentisstown men. The whole book I was baffled and I guess that I just didn't understand why they bothered with one Todd the most, since they had whole new world. It just felt pointless, like they were chasing Todd just for the sake of the chase. :/

I felt like Aaron was pursuing them since the very beginning, probably secretly since the moment when Todd was born, and it was known that he was the last boy to become a men. While his appearances might have been pretty convenient to develop the plot, I don't think it's necessarily lazy writing. This is just a big presence(kind of like ghost shadow that's very much real) that linger throughout the whole book. (hide spoiler)]

I only liked Manshee.

I read this book last month. So many people recommended it to me and I was really looking forward to it but I was disappointed.

Well-worn clichés and cheap delaying tricks used to ramp up the tension soon became annoying and I agree with Kim that (view spoiler)[it was stretching credibility to have Todd stubbornly clinging to his version of reality. Ben's re-occurrence seemed to be backed by no other logic except that he was required for exposition which would have been unnecessary if Todd's understanding had been allowed to develop naturally. (hide spoiler)]

I also agree with Esse that (view spoiler)[ it made no sense that some of the men in town would spend so much time hunting Todd down and Aaron's re-occurrence seemed like lazy writing. Worse, both were an excuse to keep running instead of having the protagonists interact with their surroundings.
And if Aaron was smart enough to think of using a boat to travel down the river why weren't Todd and Viola ? They passed several settlements with docks and boats. (hide spoiler)]

Finally (view spoiler)[the ending seemed too convenient.
The world had banished the Prentisstown men and seemed to have an idea of the town's population (it could hardly have increased without women, could it)
In both towns where Todd and Viola stopped the residents were armed and antagonistic to the Prentisstown army but then they suddenly capitulated without a whimper. Where are the partisans, the resistance?

When Manchee died I very nearly stopped reading and (hide spoiler)] if I hadn't been reading on public transport the ending would have caused me to throw the book against the wall. I doubt I will be continuing the series.

Yusuke - Me too!

Esther - I can't read your spoilers at the moment due to traveling and using the app, but I definitely agree with your final statements.

yusuke wrote: "I only liked Manshee."

That was definitevly my favorite character, because I think that they really portrayed the saying: " A dog is a man's best friend."
I'll just leave it at that for now. ^^

Well, I'm not digging too deeply into any group member's reviews, since I just started reading this today. I finished the first chapter, and, while the strange spellings do take a bit of getting used to, I found myself very interested in the history behind those buildings in the swamp. I'm hoping to learn more about them as I read on.

Apart from the plot holes,\ and the really annoying spelling, it was worth the read. Although I'm not reading the rest of the series.

Marcelina☮ wrote: "yusuke wrote: "I only liked Manshee."

That was definitevly my favorite character, because I think that they really portrayed the saying: " A dog is a man's best friend."
I'll just leave it at that..."

Kristie wrote: "Yusuke - Me too!

Esther - I can't read your spoilers at the moment due to traveling and using the app, but I definitely agree with your final statements."

I really liked Manchee, too. :) Simple, basic and true to his little doggie self, while also being his boy's best friend.

I don't get the whole "spoiler" thing just yet, so I won't say anything that might be one. ;)

This was a fun read. I am very curious about what happens next.