“War makes monsters of men.”
— Reflecting on the brutal conflict and moral compromises in New Prentisstown.
Archivist's Choice
The Ask and the Answer
Patrick Ness (2009)
Genre
Fantasy / Science Fiction / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
921 min
Key Themes
See below
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Separated and imprisoned by their greatest foe, Todd and Viola must navigate a city under siege, where the lines between oppressor and liberator blur amidst a brewing rebellion and the constant threat of explosive secrets.
Synopsis
Todd Hewitt and Viola Eade arrive in Haven, only to be immediately separated by Mayor Prentiss, who has renamed himself President Prentiss and established a tyrannical regime. Todd is imprisoned and forced into service, working with the 'Ask,' Prentiss's brainwashed army. He sees the brutal suppression of the local Spackle population. He struggles with his forced complicity and the moral compromises he must make to survive, constantly searching for Viola while being manipulated by Prentiss, who claims to protect him. Meanwhile, Viola is recovering under the care of the 'Answer,' a group of Spackle who oppose Prentiss's rule and seek to reclaim their land. She learns about the Spackle's history and their peaceful intentions, becoming an emissary between them and the human resistance. As the conflict escalates, Todd and Viola are briefly reunited amidst the chaos of bombings and skirmishes, but their loyalties are pulled in opposite directions. Todd discovers Prentiss's true intentions regarding the Spackle and the extent of his cruelty, while Viola works to prevent all-out war. The novel culminates in a desperate siege as the Spackle army attacks Prentiss's city, revealing the devastating truths about the planet's history and the manipulative nature of Prentiss's power. In the end, the arrival of a new, unexpected ship from Earth throws the already volatile situation into further disarray, leaving the future of New World, and Todd and Viola's relationship, uncertain.
Reading time
921 min
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Variable
Mood
Dark, Intense, Suspenseful, Thought-provoking, Desperate
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy morally complex young adult science fiction with high stakes, a strong focus on political conflict, and characters grappling with impossible choices. Perfect for those who loved 'The Knife of Never Letting Go' and want to see the story's darker, more intense continuation.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer lighter, more straightforward narratives or are looking for a standalone story. This book is the second in a trilogy and ends on a significant cliffhanger, with much darker themes than the first.
Plot Summary
Capture and Separation in Haven
After fleeing from a relentless army, Todd carries a critically wounded Viola into Haven. They are captured by Mayor Prentiss and his forces. Todd is immediately separated from Viola, who is taken away for medical attention by the Mayor's son, Davy Prentiss. Todd is imprisoned and subjected to the Mayor's new order, a regime that enforces absolute control over its citizens and the native Spackle population. He works in the Mayor's mansion, where he sees the rigid hierarchy and the suppression of the Spackle, who are used as forced labor. Todd's primary concern is Viola's well-being, but he is given no information about her condition or whereabouts, leaving him in a state of agonizing uncertainty and fear for her life.
Todd's Imprisonment and Forced Service
Todd is forced to serve Mayor Prentiss, becoming his 'dog' and personal attendant. He sees Prentiss's ruthless tactics and the cruel treatment of the Spackle, who are confined to a 'cage' and systematically exploited. The Mayor, now 'President Prentiss,' has transformed Haven into New Prentisstown, a heavily fortified city built on the suppression of Noise and dissent. Todd's Noise is constantly monitored and controlled by Prentiss, who uses it to manipulate him and demonstrate his power. He participates in the daily routines of the President's household, observing the political dealings and the growing tension between the human settlers and the captive Spackle, all while desperately searching for any sign of Viola.
Viola's Recovery and the Arrival of the Spackle Army
Viola recovers from her injuries under the care of Mistress Coyle, a healer and leader of a hidden resistance movement. She learns that Coyle and her followers, the 'Answer,' have infiltrated New Prentisstown and are working to undermine Prentiss's regime. Viola also discovers the truth: the Spackle, enraged by the humans' actions, are gathering a massive army and preparing for an all-out war against the settlers. She is given a role in the resistance, acting as a messenger and spy, using her ability to move through the city largely unnoticed. Her interactions with Coyle and the resistance members reveal the depth of the conflict and the dire stakes for both species.
The Resistance and the First Bombings
The 'Answer,' under Mistress Coyle's leadership, initiates bombings and acts of sabotage across New Prentisstown. These attacks are designed to destabilize Prentiss's rule and incite rebellion, but they also cause civilian casualties and increase fear among the populace. Todd, still trapped in Prentiss's service, sees the aftermath of these bombings and feels the city's growing panic. He is torn between his forced loyalty to Prentiss and his understanding of the resistance's motives, especially knowing Viola is involved. The bombings escalate the conflict, turning the city into a war zone and hardening the lines between the factions, making escape or peaceful resolution seem impossible.
Todd's Dilemma and Prentiss's Manipulation
President Prentiss, a manipulator, uses Todd's love for Viola against him. He promises Todd that Viola is safe and will be returned to him if Todd cooperates fully and helps him uncover the 'Answer.' Prentiss uses his control over Noise to constantly remind Todd of his power, forcing him to see the torture of Spackle and the execution of dissenters. Todd is caught in an impossible bind: betraying Prentiss could mean Viola's death, but assisting him means becoming complicit in atrocities. He tries to subtly gather information, hoping to find a way to help Viola and the resistance without directly betraying his forced master, all while his own Noise is a constant battleground of fear and anger.
Viola's Missions and the Spackle Perspective
Viola undertakes dangerous missions for the 'Answer,' smuggling messages and gathering intelligence. She often finds herself near the captive Spackle, witnessing their suffering and the brutal conditions they endure. Through these interactions, and particularly through her encounters with a Spackle named 1017, she begins to understand their perspective and the immense pain and anger driving their impending war. She learns that the Spackle are not just 'aliens' but a sentient species with their own culture and history, deeply wronged by the human settlers. This growing empathy complicates her mission, as she grapples with the morality of the resistance's actions and the potential for a peaceful resolution.
The First Encounter: Todd and Viola Reunited
Todd and Viola finally encounter each other during a chaotic skirmish in New Prentisstown. Their reunion is bittersweet, overshadowed by the war and their conflicting positions. Todd is still under Prentiss's thumb, while Viola is a key member of the 'Answer.' They exchange vital information, but their conversation is tense. It reveals the emotional toll of their separation and the ideological chasm that has opened between them. Viola explains the resistance's goals and the Spackle's plight, urging Todd to see the truth of Prentiss's tyranny. Todd, however, is still bound by Prentiss's threats against Viola, leading to a profound sense of helplessness and frustration for both of them.
The Spackle Offensive and the City Under Siege
The Spackle army, led by the Elder, launches a full-scale offensive on New Prentisstown. The city is in chaos as the Spackle, driven by a thirst for vengeance, overwhelm Prentiss's defenses. Bombs explode, buildings crumble, and the streets become a battlefield. Todd, caught in the conflict, sees horrific violence from both sides. Prentiss, despite the overwhelming odds, refuses to surrender, further entrenching the humans' position. Viola, working with the 'Answer,' tries to mitigate the damage and protect innocent lives, but the scale of the attack is immense. It threatens to annihilate the human settlement entirely and fulfill the Spackle's prophecy of cleansing the land.
The Truth About the Spackle and the Elder's Demands
During the intense fighting, the Elder, the leader of the Spackle, communicates with the humans. He reveals the true history of their species and the atrocities committed against them by the first human settlers. The Elder's Noise is a powerful, ancient force that exposes the humans' past actions, including the biological weapon that nearly wiped out the Spackle. The Elder demands unconditional surrender from the humans, offering them a choice: leave the planet or face total annihilation. This revelation impacts Todd and Viola, forcing them to confront the injustices that fuel the Spackle's rage and the moral complexities of the war.
Prentiss's Last Stand and the Final Confrontation
President Prentiss, refusing to yield, makes a desperate last stand in the heart of New Prentisstown. He unleashes his remaining forces, including manipulated Noise and a willingness to sacrifice his own people, in a futile attempt to repel the Spackle. Todd is directly in the path of this final confrontation, forced to make impossible choices. Viola, working with the 'Answer,' tries to find a way to end the bloodshed and achieve a ceasefire, but Prentiss's stubbornness makes negotiations impossible. The conflict reaches its climax, with both human and Spackle lives hanging in the balance, and the future of the planet resting on the outcome of this devastating war.
The Arrival of the New Ship and the Unforeseen Intervention
As the war rages and New Prentisstown faces imminent destruction, a new starship from Earth unexpectedly arrives in orbit. Its sudden appearance halts the battle, creating a momentary truce born of confusion and surprise. The ship's arrival brings with it a new faction of humans, led by a character named Bradley, who represent a different approach to colonization and interspecies relations. This unforeseen intervention completely changes the dynamics of the conflict, introducing new variables and potential outcomes. Todd and Viola, along with President Prentiss and the Spackle Elder, are forced to confront this new development and consider its implications for their shattered world and the ongoing war.
Principal Figures
Todd Hewitt
The Protagonist
Todd evolves from a desperate survivor into a morally conflicted individual forced to navigate a complex war, ultimately striving to protect those he loves and find a better path.
Viola Eade
The Protagonist
Viola transforms from a lost survivor into a determined leader and advocate for justice, seeking understanding and a peaceful resolution amidst the war.
President Prentiss (formerly Mayor Prentiss)
The Antagonist
Prentiss entrenches himself further into his tyrannical ideology, revealing the depths of his ruthlessness and his unwavering belief in his own power.
Mistress Coyle
The Supporting
Coyle maintains her unwavering resolve as a resistance leader, demonstrating her capacity for both compassion and ruthlessness in the fight against tyranny.
Davy Prentiss
The Supporting
Davy's internal conflict intensifies, showing moments of both cruelty and conflicted humanity as he grapples with his father's influence and the unfolding war.
The Elder
The Supporting
The Elder reveals the depth of the Spackle's suffering and their unwavering resolve to fight for their survival and reclaim their land.
1017
The Supporting
1017 serves as a key bridge between the human and Spackle worlds, revealing the Spackle's sentience and suffering to Viola.
Matthew Lyle
The Supporting
Lyle remains a steadfast and active member of the resistance, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to their cause.
Bradley
The Mentioned
Bradley's arrival represents an external, unforeseen force that disrupts the established conflict, introducing new possibilities and challenges.
Themes & Insights
The Nature of War and Vengeance
'The Ask and the Answer' shows the cycles of war and vengeance. The Spackle, driven by centuries of injustice and near-annihilation by the first human settlers, seek retribution. This is mirrored by President Prentiss's ruthless suppression of the Spackle and the 'Answer's' violent resistance. Both sides believe their methods are justified. The bombings in New Prentisstown and the Spackle offensive show how violence creates more violence, trapping all parties in a destructive cycle. The book explores the moral ambiguities of fighting for survival, where both sides commit atrocities in the name of their cause, as seen when Viola questions the 'Answer's' bombings and the Elder's demand for total human expulsion.
“War ain't fair, kid. Never is. But it's always fought by someone who thinks they're right.”
Identity and Moral Compromise
Todd's journey explores identity under extreme duress. Stripped of his freedom and forced to serve President Prentiss, Todd struggles to maintain his sense of self and his moral integrity. He is forced into complicity with Prentiss's atrocities, leading to internal conflict and guilt. Similarly, Viola's involvement with the 'Answer' forces her to make morally compromising decisions, such as participating in acts of sabotage that harm innocent civilians. The book questions how much one can compromise their values for survival or a greater cause before losing who they are. Both protagonists grapple with the choices they are forced to make in a world without easy answers.
“I was his dog. I was his pet. He owned me.”
Prejudice and Interspecies Understanding
The novel explores prejudice and the struggle for interspecies understanding. The humans' fear and contempt for the Spackle, fueled by historical conflicts and Prentiss's propaganda, prevent meaningful dialogue. The Spackle, in turn, view humans as destructive invaders. The narrative challenges these prejudices through Viola's interactions with 1017 and the Elder's revelations. These expose the Spackle's sentience, their history, and the injustices they have suffered. It highlights the difficulty of overcoming biases and the necessity of empathy and communication to bridge divides. It suggests that true peace requires understanding the 'other's' perspective.
“They ain't just monsters, Todd. They're people.”
Power, Control, and Freedom
President Prentiss's regime examines power and control. He seeks absolute dominion over his people, the Spackle, and even the Noise of his citizens. His transformation of Haven into a totalitarian state, where dissent is brutally suppressed and individual freedoms are nonexistent, shows the insidious nature of unchecked authority. The 'Answer' resistance, in contrast, fights for freedom, but their methods raise questions about whether their pursuit of liberation justifies their own acts of control and violence. The novel explores the balance between order and freedom, and the corrupting influence of power on those who wield it.
“Control is everything, Todd. Control is peace.”
The Burden of History and Memory
The past weighs heavily on all characters and factions in 'The Ask and the Answer.' The Spackle's collective memory of the human-instigated plague fuels their current war, driving their desire for vengeance. For the humans, the history of the Noise germ and the 'men' of Prentisstown shapes their fears and actions. The Elder's powerful Noise reveals the atrocities committed by the first settlers, forcing both Todd and Viola to confront a difficult, uncomfortable truth about humanity's past. The novel argues that understanding and acknowledging historical injustices, however painful, is crucial for breaking cycles of conflict and moving towards a different future.
“The past ain't never past, Todd. It's always here. Always waiting.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Noise
The telepathic projection of thoughts and emotions.
Noise is a unique telepathic phenomenon in the New World, making men's thoughts and emotions audible to everyone around them. In 'The Ask and the Answer,' Noise becomes a tool of both control and resistance. President Prentiss manipulates Noise to broadcast his authority, monitor citizens, and torture the Spackle, using it as a weapon. Conversely, the Spackle Elder's ancient and powerful Noise is used to communicate their history and grievances, acting as a form of collective memory and a weapon of psychological warfare. Todd's own raw Noise is a constant internal struggle, reflecting his moral dilemmas and providing insight into his innermost turmoil, making it a powerful vehicle for character development and plot progression.
Dual Perspective Narrative
Alternating chapters between Todd and Viola's points of view.
The novel employs a dual perspective narrative, alternating between Todd's first-person account (written as his internal Noise) and Viola's third-person perspective. This device is crucial for presenting a comprehensive view of the war and the moral complexities involved. Todd's perspective highlights his forced servitude, the horrors of Prentiss's regime, and his internal struggle, while Viola's chapters reveal the inner workings of the 'Answer,' the Spackle's suffering, and the broader political landscape. This allows the reader to experience both sides of the conflict, fostering empathy for multiple characters and demonstrating the subjective nature of truth in wartime, making the moral ambiguities more poignant.
The 'Ask' and the 'Answer'
Symbolic terms for the warring factions and their ideologies.
The 'Ask' and the 'Answer' are not just names for the human factions but symbolic representations of their core ideologies. The 'Ask' refers to President Prentiss's regime, which demands unquestioning obedience and control, essentially 'asking' for total submission. The 'Answer' refers to Mistress Coyle's resistance, which seeks to 'answer' Prentiss's tyranny with defiance and violence, albeit with its own moral compromises. These terms frame the central conflict of the book as a battle of wills and ideologies, where each side believes it has the definitive 'answer' to the New World's problems, often through destructive means. It highlights the clash of opposing philosophies in the face of survival.
Spackle 'Cage' and Forced Labor
A physical and symbolic representation of human oppression.
The 'cage' where President Prentiss holds the captive Spackle is a powerful symbol of human oppression and dehumanization. Physically, it is a brutal enclosure where the Spackle are subjected to forced labor, torture, and degradation. Symbolically, it represents the human settlers' attempt to contain and control the 'other,' stripping them of their freedom and dignity. This device highlights the profound injustice at the heart of the conflict and serves as a constant reminder of the atrocities committed by the humans, fueling the Spackle's desire for vengeance and emphasizing the moral depravity of Prentiss's regime.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“The answer is always no if you don't ask the question.”
— A theme about taking initiative and seeking truth in oppressive circumstances.
“We are the choices we make.”
— Todd and Viola discussing personal responsibility and identity.
“Sometimes you have to do the wrong thing to do the right thing.”
— Moral dilemma faced by characters in the resistance.
“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.”
— A reference to Emily Dickinson, used to describe resilience.
“Power is a strange and terrible thing.”
— Observation on Mayor Prentiss's authoritarian rule.
“Love is not a weakness. It's a strength.”
— Todd and Viola affirming their bond amidst chaos.
“The noise of men is the first thing you must learn to silence.”
— Advice on navigating the overwhelming thoughts of others.
“In war, truth is the first casualty.”
— Commentary on propaganda and deception in the conflict.
“We are all just stories in the end.”
— Reflection on legacy and the narratives that define us.
“Fear is a prison, but courage is the key.”
— Encouragement to overcome oppression and take action.
“The world doesn't end with a bang, but with a whisper.”
— Describing the subtle, creeping nature of tyranny.
“To heal, you must first acknowledge the wound.”
— A lesson on facing trauma and moving forward.
“In the silence, we find our true selves.”
— Moment of introspection amidst the chaos of war.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
The book follows Todd Hewitt and Viola Eade after they've been captured by Mayor Prentiss in New Prentisstown. Todd is forced to work with the Mayor's oppressive regime while Viola is held in a healing house, and both become involved with opposing resistance groups - Todd with the Mayor's Ask and Viola with the rebel Answer - as tensions escalate toward violent conflict.
About the author
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