PJV Quickie: The first book in the Chaos Walking series was a little hard to get into, especially in Audiobook format, but once it took hold, this book didn’t let me go.
Author: Patrick Ness
Series: Chaos Walking Book 1
Narrated: Nick Podehl
ISBN: 1406310255
Publication:
Purchased audio book from audible.com
Links: Author Web >> Author Twitter >> Purchase Book >> Goodreads
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
Patrick Ness came up with one of the most original science fiction young adult books that I’ve read in a long time. His ideas are bold and fresh and they leap off the page in very compelling and often times heart-wrenching detail. The basis of the book centers around Todd, a boy from a small town called Prentisstown. Located on a settler planet, Prentisstown has been impacted with a disease that allows everyone’s thoughts to be heard out loud. They call it Noise and even the animals give off Noise. Thoughts, the good, the bad and the dreadful are available for Todd to “hear”. But, upon stumbling upon blessed silence, Todd discovers that in a town where everyone’s thoughts are blasted about — there are still a lot of secrets. Secrets that he now has to run from or risk his life. Both compelling and enchanting, the world Ness created was laid out in vivid detail and I definitely want more. Ness carefully crafted his plot and it is evident in every scene and the structure of the story. The whole story played out much like a movie would all leading to a breathless climax, without doing a nasty “series” cliffhanger. It was well done and I can see why it has won so man literary awards.
Yet, as I read, I was faced with one question that kept on arising. The novel is narrated from Todd’s point-of-view, who is practically illiterate. He has a very hard time trying to read the easiest of words. I thought that a narrator with that level of education as a backing would have have had a simpler vocabulary and way of saying things. Ness did work in some slang and the audiobook was done in a twangy accent — but the vocabulary of the narration was pretty educated. That was my only drawback…the big words always stopped me, because frankly, I know literate people that have no clue about half the SAT words I use.
Other than that, a gem and a must read. It has been classified as dystopian in some lists, but while it does have dystopian elements, I always consider “other planet” pieces science fiction. This isn’t a space opera or anything like that, so you don’t have to be a scifi lover to appreciate this book.
The prequel to ‘The Knife of Never Letting Go‘ was a killer and an instant suck into the world, it is called ‘The New World‘ and while not required reading before you partake of The Chaos Walking Books, I would recommend it, it’s also free on Amazon.com.
Recommendations:
Recommended for fans of dystopian or science fiction. If you enjoyed reads like ‘Blood Red Road’ by Moira Young with that more advanced narration and plot formation, you’ll enjoy this one. The book is from the POV of a younger male character and his immaturity might be a turn off from those that are used to the female driven, mature young adult books. I do recommend trying this one out though. Parents have nothing to fear, there is a bit of violence, but nothing over-the-top. Because of more mature political and social issues I would recommend a 13+ readership.
Like This, Like That:
The Maze Runner (Maze Runner Trilogy, Book 1) by James Dashner
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
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This one has been on my to be read list for quite a while! I am glad you liked it.
DT from Dead Trees and Silver Screens
I loved this whole series. I can’t even begin to imagine what that audiobook would be like though – the NOISE came across so loud, even just reading it!
O sounds like one I would love as audio. Great review.
Thanks for pointing out that tidbit about the narrator versus the character.
I have all three of the Chaos Walking books and can’t wait to read them. It’s nice to hear a little about the audiobook – I keep trying to give audiobooks a try.
This series is amazing! I cant imagine what it’d be like in audio form, though I really want to know how Manchee was narrated haha. I hope you like the sequels too, they were intense!
Sounds good to me, one of my most anticipated books of the year is Insurgent, I have become big fan of the genre. I’m definitely giving this one a shot.
Thanks Rachel.
Oh I loved this series and I listened to it all on audio…..I thought the noise was done really good with the echos and underwater feel it had….and I loved the way the narrator did the dog……:D Glad you liked it.
Thanks for the heads up about the free short story ‘New World’ . I didn’t like A Monster Calls so I’ll give this one a go .