I am going to tread lightly with plot description here because
it’s obvious the author intended for the novel’s secrets to be gradually
discovered by readers. Todd is a boy just one month away from the birthday that
will make him a man. He lives in a society where everyone can hear everyone
else’s thoughts, creating a continuous stream of Noise. Though Todd is an
orphan, he has had a decent life, brought up by two close family friends who
care for him.
One day, Todd and his dog, Manchee (whose thoughts Todd can
also hear), encounter an odd patch of silence on the edge of town. This strange discovery leads to the uncovering of some
dark secrets that have been kept from Todd, in spite of the Noise. Certain
people in town are so committed to keeping the town’s secrets that they go
after Todd, forcing him and Manchee into life on the run, leaving his little town
for the first time in his life.
This novel is full of action and adventure, as the bad guys
chase after Todd and Manchee and a friend they meet along the way. It’s an
unusual mix of science fiction, post-apocalyptic fiction, and even some
dystopia. And through it all, the Noise adds a unique element. Can you imagine
a world where you know what everyone else is thinking?
I loved this book just as much as my husband and son did.
Todd is a very likeable character, and Manchee provides a touch
of humor, with his doggie thoughts being constantly broadcast to Todd. Although
it is a longish book at almost 500 pages (hence its inclusion in my Big Book Summer plans), it is a fairly quick read, with a fast pace and plenty of
suspense to keep you reading long past bedtime. So far, Book 2: The Ask and
the Answer is just as good.
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