Overview

What are your thoughts worth to you? Thawtless is a peaceful society where everyone is equal and the residents are content to follow the only law that matters: Thinking is not allowed. During a school lunch break, Idere hears a voice whispering in his own head. He couldn't turn it off. Now, he's in danger of being banished from the only place he has ever known. Under a deceptive government of self-elected officials, Idere must find an answer to the new question plaguing him: Is this what you want? In this coming-of-age story, Idere must find a way to fit in, or make an unthinkable sacrifice.

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9781764217705

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Reviews

This is a dystopian allegory set in the authoritarian world of Thawtless, a society where ""thinking is against the law."" Through the eyes of Idere, a boy born into this thoughtless utopia, Michael Matteo crafts a chilling and incisive exploration of conformity, censorship, and the moral cost of obedience. The narrative follows Idere's journey from a fearful child to a quiet revolutionary, guided by the mysterious ""voice"" in his mind (the last vestige of free thought in a world that punishes individuality). Stylistically, Matteo's prose is accessible yet deliberate, blending the parable-like simplicity of Lois Lowry's The Giver with the political warning of George Orwell's 1984. The bureaucratic absurdities of Thawtless - its ""Conformity Schools"", ""White List"", and AI-assigned names - mirror real-world anxieties about surveillance, groupthink, and ideological suppression. The story's emotional core lies in Idere's relationships: with his fearful parents, with his compassionate friend Itry, and with the inner voice urging him toward consciousness... It Began with a Whisper isn't merely dystopian fiction. it's a moral fable about courage and the sacredness of thought. Matteo reminds readers that totalitarian control begins not with violence but with the silencing of curiosity. This quietly powerful novel will resonate with anyone concerned about intellectual freedom in an age of algorithmic conformity and social obedience. -David MaywaldI sat all day, glued to my chair, to finish this book in one sitting and I feel in my heart and soul this book will be counted among the classics in literature. The powerful social commentary can be likened to the greats - Animal Farm, Lords of the Flies, 1984, The City of Embers, the Giver. I don't want to give anything away or spoil your experience, so I will just say that it's a must read for every student, teacher, parent, and citizen - an opportunity to see beyond the illusion, to cause you to think, and to weigh the consequences of your choices while journeying with the main character of this story. This book has the potential to change the world! -Laura Muchmore

Author Information

Michael A. Matteo, is an international author, educator and lifelong animal advocate. Along with his wife, he has rescued over 30 animals, including Coco. When he's not in a classroom, he is inspiring readers with characters who reflect courage, empathy, and curiosity. Today, he writes to leave a lasting mark with themes of justice threaded through each work. Read more about Matteo at abc.mikematteo.com

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