 First edition cover | |
| Author | Patrick Ness |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Series | Chaos Walking #1 |
| Genre | Young-adult, science fiction |
| Publisher | Walker Books |
Publication date | 5 May 2008 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Pages | 496 |
| ISBN | 978-1-4063-1025-2 |
| OCLC | 233261939 |
| Followed by | The Ask and the Answer |
The Knife of Never Letting Go is a young adult science fiction novel written by British American author Patrick Ness. It was published by Walker Books on 5 May 2008. It is the first book in the Chaos Walking series, followed by The Ask and the Answer and Monsters of Men. The story follows Todd Hewitt, a 12-year-old boy who runs away from Prentisstown, a town where everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts, after learning of a secret about its past.
The novel was celebrated by critics and won annual awards including the Booktrust Teenage Prize, the Guardian Award, and the James Tiptree, Jr. Award. The Knife was Ness's first work for teens and young adults. According to The Guardian coverage of its award, "He turned to children's fiction after he had the idea for a world where it is impossible to escape information overload, and knew it was right for teenagers."[1][2]
A film adaptation of the novel, simply titled Chaos Walking, was released on 5 March 2021.