84 pages • 2 hours read
Patrick NessThe Knife of Never Letting Go
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2008A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness, Todd Hewitt, the youngest boy in the settlement of Prentisstown on New World, lives in a society where men's thoughts are audible. When Todd encounters a mysterious silence in the swamp and meets a girl named Viola, he uncovers dark truths about his community, leading him on a dangerous journey pursued by Prentisstown's malevolent forces. The novel contains depictions of violence and themes of trauma.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Patrick Ness's The Knife of Never Letting Go captivates readers with its intense action, unique prose, and thought-provoking themes. Critics praise the novel's gripping narrative and emotional depth. However, some note that its unconventional language can be challenging and certain plot points feel rushed. Overall, it’s a compelling read with a fresh voice in young adult fiction.
Who Should Read The Knife of Never Letting Go?
A reader who would enjoy The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness is typically a young adult who relishes dystopian novels with intense action and complex, morally ambiguous characters. They likely enjoy books like The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and The Maze Runner by James Dashner.
RecommendedReading Age
14-18yearsLexile Level
860LBook Details
Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction
Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction
Fantasy
Trauma / Abuse / Violence
Social Justice
Diversity
Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Society: Colonialism
Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos