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Undertown
In this fast-paced adventure story, Timothy and Jessamyn are towed through the streets of Manhattan riding in Timothy’s family’s sailboat, on their way to the Long Island shore, when the boat comes unhitched from its truck. The teens “sail” backward down a hill in Upper Manhattan, then fall down a huge construction site hole and into the vast sewer system below.
Thrust into an amazing adventure, the kids navigate waterfalls and rapids as they travel through the rain sewers. They meet a graffiti artist their own age, a homeless person named You, and rats the size of large dogs. They fall into the hands of a gangster who claims the sewers as her kingdom and the homeless as her subjects, and acts as a fence for luxury goods! Will she feed Timothy and Jessamyn to the rats?
Praise for Undertown
"Two suburban teens ride a sailboat into Manhattan’s storm drains and meet quirky residents aplenty."
—Kirkus Reviews
"It’s a coming-of-age escapade with a sense of wonder, and Bukiet pays homage to the history and mysteries of NYC with a writing style that’s part sentimental, part poetic, and part tongue-in-cheek.”
—Publishers Weekly
"This classic hero’s journey is set against the detailed backdrop of New York City, both above ground and below."
—Booklist
Thrust into an amazing adventure, the kids navigate waterfalls and rapids as they travel through the rain sewers. They meet a graffiti artist their own age, a homeless person named You, and rats the size of large dogs. They fall into the hands of a gangster who claims the sewers as her kingdom and the homeless as her subjects, and acts as a fence for luxury goods! Will she feed Timothy and Jessamyn to the rats?
Praise for Undertown
"Two suburban teens ride a sailboat into Manhattan’s storm drains and meet quirky residents aplenty."
—Kirkus Reviews
"It’s a coming-of-age escapade with a sense of wonder, and Bukiet pays homage to the history and mysteries of NYC with a writing style that’s part sentimental, part poetic, and part tongue-in-cheek.”
—Publishers Weekly
"This classic hero’s journey is set against the detailed backdrop of New York City, both above ground and below."
—Booklist
304 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 24, 2013
ANGRY RANTING AHEAD. Skip if that does not suit.
I really, really disliked this book. There's an undercurrent of sexism I find really unsettling, especially since I'm pretty sure the author is unaware of it and in fact trying hard to promote feminism--but given parallels repeatedly being drawn between women and objects, the overruse of the word 'female', a girl with a solid point being reduced to 'manipulative' rather than 'right' or 'persuasive' IN HER OWN MIND, and then references to a woman being weak for being emotional, I am just honestly thrown. Like, even if the whole 'Murphy man is too strong to scream like poor hysterical Miranda' thing is actually poking fun at a macho attitude, it's followed by Tom Murphy being the one to actually interact with the police and the civil engineer (all men, please note, with one single hint at there being women on the force), insisting on action and having I GET YOU BRO moments with NYPD Captain Mullane. Presumably while Miranda's being ~female~ in the background. And the bit where Timothy feels responsible about 'the girl he put in harm's way'? I'm sorry, you mean the girl who threw herself headfirst into trouble and danger and dragged you along behind? That girl?
There's just an overwhelming message that girls and boys are different in fundamental ways that go beyond the physical--I mean, hell, the phrases 'male species' and 'female species' are used without irony on more than one occasion. Plus there's a bit of underlying JESSAMYN'S AWESOME BECAUSE SHE'S DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER GIRLS nonsense, which, um, no. Someone is awesome because she's awesome, not because she's inherently better or stranger than the rest of her gender.
And I'm not a huge believer in the MUST SHOW NOT TELL NEVER TELL OH MY GOD ARE YOU TELLING HOW DARE YOU thing, but reading this was like getting slapped repeatedly in the face by the narrative for three hundred pages. Look, there are ways to imply and illustrate that there's a silent conversation taking place. You don't need to pick apart everything the characters are saying or not saying and explain, omniscient narrator style, how REALLY IT ALL MEANS SOMETHING DIFFERENT, going line by freaking line oh lord shoot me now. Give me some action and emotion, talk around it, don't write out an entire passage explaining and dissecting what could have been a genuinely interesting subtlety.
Also, there's just a lot of lazy or plain bizarre writing even outside the tell-not-show standard. Two seconds after one character lies to another, it's observed that NO ONE EVER LIES IN UNDERTOWN. Um, what? No. And the hatred for suburbanite life? Um, I've lived in cities and suburbs both, and I have to say, the city folk aren't really braver or smarter or more interesting than suburbanites. The random, constant philosophical asides do pretty much jackshit to advance the plot or the characters' growth. And just...okay, I'm cutting myself off here, but honestly I barely got through this book. So disappointing on every level. As much as I enjoyed Jessamyn, as much as I sympathized with Timothy, I just...no. Did not like.
I really, really disliked this book. There's an undercurrent of sexism I find really unsettling, especially since I'm pretty sure the author is unaware of it and in fact trying hard to promote feminism--but given parallels repeatedly being drawn between women and objects, the overruse of the word 'female', a girl with a solid point being reduced to 'manipulative' rather than 'right' or 'persuasive' IN HER OWN MIND, and then references to a woman being weak for being emotional, I am just honestly thrown. Like, even if the whole 'Murphy man is too strong to scream like poor hysterical Miranda' thing is actually poking fun at a macho attitude, it's followed by Tom Murphy being the one to actually interact with the police and the civil engineer (all men, please note, with one single hint at there being women on the force), insisting on action and having I GET YOU BRO moments with NYPD Captain Mullane. Presumably while Miranda's being ~female~ in the background. And the bit where Timothy feels responsible about 'the girl he put in harm's way'? I'm sorry, you mean the girl who threw herself headfirst into trouble and danger and dragged you along behind? That girl?
There's just an overwhelming message that girls and boys are different in fundamental ways that go beyond the physical--I mean, hell, the phrases 'male species' and 'female species' are used without irony on more than one occasion. Plus there's a bit of underlying JESSAMYN'S AWESOME BECAUSE SHE'S DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER GIRLS nonsense, which, um, no. Someone is awesome because she's awesome, not because she's inherently better or stranger than the rest of her gender.
And I'm not a huge believer in the MUST SHOW NOT TELL NEVER TELL OH MY GOD ARE YOU TELLING HOW DARE YOU thing, but reading this was like getting slapped repeatedly in the face by the narrative for three hundred pages. Look, there are ways to imply and illustrate that there's a silent conversation taking place. You don't need to pick apart everything the characters are saying or not saying and explain, omniscient narrator style, how REALLY IT ALL MEANS SOMETHING DIFFERENT, going line by freaking line oh lord shoot me now. Give me some action and emotion, talk around it, don't write out an entire passage explaining and dissecting what could have been a genuinely interesting subtlety.
Also, there's just a lot of lazy or plain bizarre writing even outside the tell-not-show standard. Two seconds after one character lies to another, it's observed that NO ONE EVER LIES IN UNDERTOWN. Um, what? No. And the hatred for suburbanite life? Um, I've lived in cities and suburbs both, and I have to say, the city folk aren't really braver or smarter or more interesting than suburbanites. The random, constant philosophical asides do pretty much jackshit to advance the plot or the characters' growth. And just...okay, I'm cutting myself off here, but honestly I barely got through this book. So disappointing on every level. As much as I enjoyed Jessamyn, as much as I sympathized with Timothy, I just...no. Did not like.
January 14, 2015
I read an ARC copy I found at my local bookstore.
I gave it one chapter before I gave up. I didn't particularly care for the tone of this novel at all. It's disconcerting to have a thirteen-year-old leading what initially comes across as an innocent middle-grade adventure novel who actually sounds like he may grow up to be Patrick Bateman from American Pyscho. I gave Undertown a shot, but it just wasn't for me.
I gave it one chapter before I gave up. I didn't particularly care for the tone of this novel at all. It's disconcerting to have a thirteen-year-old leading what initially comes across as an innocent middle-grade adventure novel who actually sounds like he may grow up to be Patrick Bateman from American Pyscho. I gave Undertown a shot, but it just wasn't for me.
June 18, 2013
Undertown by Melvin Jules Bukiet is a young adult novel full of adventure and discovery. Timothy and Jessamyn have each lost a parent, and are thrown together when their parents begin to date. A simple prank to annoy their parents while towing a sailboat through Manhattan on the way to the harbor sends the pair of teens on an unexpected adventure in the underground. Lost in the sewer system of New York City, the pair navigate the narrow tunnels and discover the subculture of those that spend their time in the twisting tunnels. There are the frightened homeless, the street artists, and a criminal element that scares some of the toughest men. I will never look at the storm drains the same again!
Undertown is a fast-paced story of adventure that feels like it could really happen. Timothy and Jessamyn are both smart, and both do not really fit in with their peers, and share the loss of a parent. Despite the similarities prior to being thrown together in their adventure, they do not really like each other, or really even know each other. The combination of shared grief, fear, and necessity forges a solid friendship between the pair. I really enjoyed the dynamics between the pair, and the secondary characters that cross their path. I did find myself less than thrilled with the depiction of girls and women here- with no women on the police force, as members of the press, or officials, or anything else of authority. The only female authority figure is terrifying, but partially because of her overblown femininity and insanity rather than because of her power.
The underground tunnels of the sewer system are vast, and not even completely known to the officials and engineers in charge of their maintenance. There are waterfalls, rapids, as well as water and man-made alterations throughout the tunnels. I would not doubt that a crime ring of thieves and crazy super-sized critters could be thriving there. I think the possibility of the elements found in the story could be true, could really happen on some level, that made the story stick with me the most.
I highly recommend Undertown to tweens, teens, and adults. Although, there are some frightening moments that might make squeamish readers uncomfortable.There is adventure, drama, friendships forged, and emotional understanding forged through the book which can speak to every reader in some way.
Undertown is a fast-paced story of adventure that feels like it could really happen. Timothy and Jessamyn are both smart, and both do not really fit in with their peers, and share the loss of a parent. Despite the similarities prior to being thrown together in their adventure, they do not really like each other, or really even know each other. The combination of shared grief, fear, and necessity forges a solid friendship between the pair. I really enjoyed the dynamics between the pair, and the secondary characters that cross their path. I did find myself less than thrilled with the depiction of girls and women here- with no women on the police force, as members of the press, or officials, or anything else of authority. The only female authority figure is terrifying, but partially because of her overblown femininity and insanity rather than because of her power.
The underground tunnels of the sewer system are vast, and not even completely known to the officials and engineers in charge of their maintenance. There are waterfalls, rapids, as well as water and man-made alterations throughout the tunnels. I would not doubt that a crime ring of thieves and crazy super-sized critters could be thriving there. I think the possibility of the elements found in the story could be true, could really happen on some level, that made the story stick with me the most.
I highly recommend Undertown to tweens, teens, and adults. Although, there are some frightening moments that might make squeamish readers uncomfortable.There is adventure, drama, friendships forged, and emotional understanding forged through the book which can speak to every reader in some way.
July 11, 2013
Odd but enjoyable enough. The dialogue flew densely in places, which I thought was interesting but could be seen just as a "wall of talk". However, the infodispersion of paragraphs about New York City's historic architecture throughout the book was eyebrow-raising to say the least.
I'm a bit disappointed that a lot of the negative reviews of the book consist of just "couldn't read past the first x pages, gave up".
I'm a bit disappointed that a lot of the negative reviews of the book consist of just "couldn't read past the first x pages, gave up".
March 6, 2013
The start reads like a child's version of 'American Psycho'. I gave up after 5 pages, it was that unbearable.
July 23, 2018
When your dad's a widower and he falls in love with a widow, with a daughter your age, things can get hairy. Timothy isn't thrilled. But then he and Jessamyn end up sailing underneath the streets of New York as the police try to rescue them. Frankly, they don't want to get caught, but they meet some interesting things along the way--a graffiti artist, a self-named black market "princess", art thieves, and giant rats being among them. Readers get a lot of information about both upper and lower New York. Clearly the author has done his research. Timothy and Jessamyn, and their parents, bond over the experience. While far-fetched this is an adventure story. However, if you're going below I'd stick with "Gregor the Overlander."
August 23, 2017
The premise of this book is a pair of teens who are riding in a sailboat being towed by the boy's father and girl's mother. The boat ends up entering New York City's sewer system, and the adventure begins as they are sucked into Undertown. The premise is kind of flaky, but the character development is excellent. The story line drags at points, but I really liked the ending. Fun read but not a classic!
July 19, 2018
"Undertown" by Melvin Jules Bukiet is a thrilling book about to kids who get stuck in the sewer on a sailboat. Timothy and Jessamyn face many challenges as they go through the sewers. One challenge that they have to face is fighting the "Queen of Undertown". They also have to sail through the area under Central Park. They also have to travel through the Edgecombe Rapids.
October 16, 2017
It was all right.
September 30, 2020
If you want something borderline racist with a lot of scenes with police abusing power (as well as some really sexist commentary pointed towards kids) then this is the book for you!
April 11, 2022
One of the top-five, stupidest books that I have ever read.
It’s not even worth a review…just do yourself a favor, and don’t read it.
You’re welcome.
It’s not even worth a review…just do yourself a favor, and don’t read it.
You’re welcome.
April 11, 2013
I knew. Going into this book, I scrolled the reviews and saw ones and ones and ones. I probably only read this to write a scathing review and see for myself whether this book is that bad.
Bad News
1. I tried to read the first sentence. My eyes crossed and I put it down.
2. I found the description in between annoying until the end where the real action starts.
3. A little bit too long. First half kinda boring.
4. It was amusing when the author tried to put some life meaning into this book (Pg. 34)
5. I hated how he grouped Timothy and Jessamyn's feelings together. I would love different descriptions of their life a little more.
6. And I hate the cover. Why can't the bottom half be all black with a little bit of light from the holes in the ceiling illuminating parts of the ship and kids? So many different ideas that would have been better.
Good News
1. Once everything got going, about 200 pages in, I couldn't put it down!
2. Description was impeccable.
3. Loved the idea of a part time undertowner/rebel artist, etc.
4. What a interesting plot....
5. Loved the artwork, even though I couldn't see it, and the guy with the map.
.
Review
I enjoyed this book! Really a surprise with all those reviews complaining about little tiny things that I didn't notice 'till I went back and thought about it. Only one part, I'd like to know: What happens after the dramatic rescue at the end? Jake goes back to Timothy and reading? Do they ever realize that it's ok for their parents to remarry? Even though it was an awesome ending, there was a lot left unsaid.
Bad News
1. I tried to read the first sentence. My eyes crossed and I put it down.
2. I found the description in between annoying until the end where the real action starts.
3. A little bit too long. First half kinda boring.
4. It was amusing when the author tried to put some life meaning into this book (Pg. 34)
5. I hated how he grouped Timothy and Jessamyn's feelings together. I would love different descriptions of their life a little more.
6. And I hate the cover. Why can't the bottom half be all black with a little bit of light from the holes in the ceiling illuminating parts of the ship and kids? So many different ideas that would have been better.
Good News
1. Once everything got going, about 200 pages in, I couldn't put it down!
2. Description was impeccable.
3. Loved the idea of a part time undertowner/rebel artist, etc.
4. What a interesting plot....
5. Loved the artwork, even though I couldn't see it, and the guy with the map.
.
Review
I enjoyed this book! Really a surprise with all those reviews complaining about little tiny things that I didn't notice 'till I went back and thought about it. Only one part, I'd like to know: What happens after the dramatic rescue at the end? Jake goes back to Timothy and reading? Do they ever realize that it's ok for their parents to remarry? Even though it was an awesome ending, there was a lot left unsaid.
August 11, 2013
Timothy's dad has just started dating Jessamyn's mom and decides to take them on a sailing trip. Timothy is a little freaked out by the whole thing and isn't sure he wants their sailboat excursions intruded upon. Everything is going okay until the two teens decide to prank their parents and unhook the sailboat from the truck. Unfortunately, they are parked on an incline and the sailboat goes downhill through the streets of NYC and finally into a hole at a construction site. Timothy and Jessamyn find themselves in a subterranean maze of water under the city. Who knew there were so many things under the city - thieves, graffiti artists, and oversized rats. While the police are trying to rescue them Timothy and Jessamyn go on an unexpected adventure.
Hmmm...I think I was expecting something more like Gregor the Overlander. The whole thing was a bit odd. The two didn't really want to get rescued...which I get and then there was the whole midget queen of Undertown and her gang of thieves. The story was slow but then sped up a lot at the end. I felt it was unclear what actually happened to Malomi and some of the others. The book was okay, just not fabulous.
April 30, 2013
I got this book as an ARC from a friend and gobbled it up. It mixes a love for sailing, adventure, and New York City's very complex local and underground history with two teens discovering their capabilities for survival, flexibility, innovation and friendship. All the fun local history facts and trivia mix delightfully with the adventure. Yes, there is danger and peril but our heroes rescue themselves as well as two other people while the police and a smart civil engineer chase after them. Having noted that Bukiet has written other books and essays but this is his first YA novel, I hope he writes more like this soon.
I also note that other reviewers bounced hard off this book. The wordplay, historical and geographical references, the improbability of the adventure made the book sheer fun for me but apparently it turns some people off. I hope that enough agree with me to make this a potential classic.
I also note that other reviewers bounced hard off this book. The wordplay, historical and geographical references, the improbability of the adventure made the book sheer fun for me but apparently it turns some people off. I hope that enough agree with me to make this a potential classic.
June 12, 2025
I don't understand all the negative reviews.
For me, this book is not perfect. It has its flaws, and it feels like the execution could be improved to match the idea. Some things just did not feel right.
However, I did enjoy reading it. The starting chapters really make your hopes high, but the story becomes boring in the middle. But it rises to an absolute crescendo at the end.
One acute thing I like about the author is the enriching vocabulary. Many paragraphs contain a magical pool of words put together by the author.
An underread book
For me, this book is not perfect. It has its flaws, and it feels like the execution could be improved to match the idea. Some things just did not feel right.
However, I did enjoy reading it. The starting chapters really make your hopes high, but the story becomes boring in the middle. But it rises to an absolute crescendo at the end.
One acute thing I like about the author is the enriching vocabulary. Many paragraphs contain a magical pool of words put together by the author.
An underread book
July 2, 2013
Creepy! This reads like an urban fantasy in which two kids end up in the waters of the “sanitary sewer” of NYC. The Undertown is full of extraordinary characters (both human and animal) and the dog-size rats are truly horrific. Bukiet seems to have a little too much fun, at times, with word choice and sentence structure, but the bizarreness of the story alone will appeal to some readers and the imagined underworld is extremely vivid.
November 7, 2012
I like the language use and humor of this author, and will take a look at future books, but this book made it impossible for me to 'suspend my disbelief'.
The plot elements and the decisions the teens make make no sense whatsoever.
The plot elements and the decisions the teens make make no sense whatsoever.
June 5, 2013
I tried. Really. TWICE. I gave up on page 46 before I even got to chapter 3. *sigh* It was too dense, too boring, too unfriendly, too much. Blech.
October 30, 2013
Awesome story which teaches a lesson to respect property that doesn't belong to you.
At the same time tragedy hits and takes you on a journey. Find out by reading this series.
At the same time tragedy hits and takes you on a journey. Find out by reading this series.
July 27, 2014
liked as adventure
May 28, 2013
This book was very adventurous. Just make sure you know what some of the nautical terms mean!
June 15, 2015
Not bad...a little more "realistic" than Gregor.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews