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Jack Perdu #1
The Night Tourist
Jack Perdu, a shy, ninth grade classics prodigy lives with father on the Yale University campus. Smart and introverted, Jack spends most of his time alone, his nose buried in a book. But when Jack suffers a near fatal accident, his life is forever changed.
His father sends him to a mysterious doctor in New York City--a place Jack hasn't been since his mother died there eight years ago. While in the city, Jack meets Euri, a young girl who offers to show him the secrets of Grand Central Station. Here, Jack discovers New York's Underworld, a place where those who died in the city reside until they are ready to move on. This, Jack believes, is a chance to see his mother again. But as secrets about Euri's past are revealed, so are the true reasons for Jack's visit to the Underworld. Masterfully told, The Night Tourist weaves together New York City's secret history and its modern-day landscape to create a highly vivid ghost world, full of magical adventure and page-turning action.
256 pages, Paperback
First published September 18, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 349 reviews
September 23, 2011
Katherine Marsh does a very clever revisiting of the Orpheus-Eurydice myth while making us re-visit the Big Apple --a mythical town of sorts. It's a wintery visit, though --an important detail here. While the stylish, humorous language flows like an elegant spirit, this novel for adolescents (this adult didn't mind reading it, either) addresses the most serious of topics: death. A fourteen-year old boy, Jack, does not accept the passing of his mother and wants to meet her in the beyond. This beyond is introduced to him by a girl-ghost called Euri, who committed suicide. At some point, Jack is tempted to stay in the kingdom of the dead and thus embodies the mix of fright and fascination many teenagers feel toward death. The novel also asks the question: What is life? What is death? Are they so different?
Through Jack and Euri's adventures and misadventures, Marsh gives a definite answer to that. The combo of beautiful writing, entertainment and pedagogy make this book a must-read for adolescents, teachers and parents. And a why-the-hell-not read for the rest of us.
Through Jack and Euri's adventures and misadventures, Marsh gives a definite answer to that. The combo of beautiful writing, entertainment and pedagogy make this book a must-read for adolescents, teachers and parents. And a why-the-hell-not read for the rest of us.
August 27, 2009
I thought this sounded interesting as a modern take on the Orpheus / Eurydice myth, and when I saw this book's cover in real life (as opposed to little pictures online) I was like WOW. It's so iridescent and pretty.
Jack, a classics prodigy translating Ovid's Metamorphoses (read that in college), when he gets hit by a bus. He lives, but suddenly he can see ghosts. His father sends him to a doctor in New York City, and before Jack knows it, he is off on a journey to the New York City underworld with a ghost girl named Euri he meets at the train station. Jack becomes convinced that he can bring his mother back from the underworld like Orpheus tried to.
This was a fairly literal retelling of the Orpheus tale, with underworld rivers and ferries and even a Cerberus, but there were amusing points, such as when Jack and Euri sit in on a "Now That You're Dead" orientation session at the library, or find themselves at a psychiatrist's office that offers post-mortem support groups. They bump into all manner of famous ghosts, too. All in all a fun, quick read.
Jack, a classics prodigy translating Ovid's Metamorphoses (read that in college), when he gets hit by a bus. He lives, but suddenly he can see ghosts. His father sends him to a doctor in New York City, and before Jack knows it, he is off on a journey to the New York City underworld with a ghost girl named Euri he meets at the train station. Jack becomes convinced that he can bring his mother back from the underworld like Orpheus tried to.
This was a fairly literal retelling of the Orpheus tale, with underworld rivers and ferries and even a Cerberus, but there were amusing points, such as when Jack and Euri sit in on a "Now That You're Dead" orientation session at the library, or find themselves at a psychiatrist's office that offers post-mortem support groups. They bump into all manner of famous ghosts, too. All in all a fun, quick read.
April 25, 2012
I picked this one up off the bargain rack around New Years 2011, but I was only recently compelled to go ahead and get into it.I'm really glad it finally called to me, I found it to be quite a good little story. A pleasant surprise if you will, a good first book of the new year. The main character Jack Perdu was easy to like and feel for, being a misfit and all. He's also very smart, and excellent in Latin, a language I've always wanted to learn but never have. His mother died when he was young, and her loss is felt badly in the Perdu house. After Jack is hit by a car, his father sends him to New York to see a special doctor, and while there, Jack picks up a golden subway token. When he goes back to Grand Central Station to get on the train home, he meets a strange girl, Euri. She gives him a "secret tour", and they wind up 9 floors below. Jack gives his token to a bum they see down there, and then he and Euri cross an underground canal. Soon Jack figures out he's in the Underworld, and realizes he must find his mom. So he and Euri begin the dangerous search, meeting all sorts of interesting characters along the way. The danger comes from the Underworld guards who are trying to catch Jack. In his search, Jack learns that his father had come down 16 years ago, and like the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, brought Jack's mother back from death. Jack is shocked to learn his mother had been dead before, but wants to find out how they had done it so that he can bring Euri back, as the two have become incredibly close in Jack's time below. Through trials and troubles they finally find Jack's mom, and Jack gets to ask her how she did it, and tells her how her loss has hurt him. After speaking to Jack, his mother can finally move on and be at peace. With only an hour left to get out of the Underworld before he joins the ranks of the dead himself, he and Euri flee to the only way out if he wants to bring her back. They get sooo close, but like Orpheus, Jack looks back and Euri disappears. Depressed, he returns to life, and his father, and tells him what transpired. They decide to move to New York, and Jack starts at a new school, with the possibility of a new friend. That evening, in the park his mom frequented, Jack spies Euri, and the story ends on a hopeful note. If there are other books in the series (which I know see there are), I would love to get them and read them. I enjoyed this book very much. Though it was geared toward a younger audience, I found it to be well-written and engaging. I especially liked the feel for NYC I got, the descriptions were basic but good, and I could imagine I was sightseeing with Jack and Euri very nicely. I'd like to read more by this author for sure.
June 20, 2011
hello guys, ive just finished reading this book by Katherin. I thought this book was pretty good. one thing I dont like was the ending, i dont know, maybe i was used of having most of my book a happy ending. It's not that bad ending i just felt bad for Euri. Anyway, Jack Perdu, a shy but smart school boy had a near fatal accident and his life changed forever. After the accident, weird things has been happening to him. then his father sent him in New York -its been years since hed been there after his mother died, to see a Doctor. on the way home to the trainstation, he met a school girl Euri. from there the story begins and the truth unfolds, of how and why did Jack's mother died. Jack will explore the Underworld. and then.. he'll try to do the undoable, that only one man had ever succeed in doing it. I think I will have to stop now :) I love the plot I love the narration. Its a childrens book this one so its easy to read but i found it unputdownable and intriguing. Loved it! enjoy!
July 8, 2013
One of the best pieces of contemporary young adult fiction I have read in a long time. Wonderful, poetic language makes it a great read aloud book. The characters are beautifully drawn and the allusions to classical mythology sometimes resonate in profound ways. Yet, the book is not only serious and poignant, it is playful and funny too, in part through the allusions to the lives, poetry, plays and other works of many great New Yorkers past. Katherine Marsh gives real New York spaces and places fantastic layers and hidden nooks and crannies that will invite tourists and natives of NYC alike to experience these locations in new ways. Overall, a great pleasure to read for those willing to engage with a story that is at times bittersweet and tinged with melancholy.
January 5, 2009
A lonely young boy accidentally enters the world of the dead beneath NYC. There he searches for his dead mother.
July 9, 2010
Many thanks to Susann for telling me about this book and then sending it to me!
So, here is the Latin professor's pedantry:
I liked this book a lot--good characters, generally good writing except for some clunky descriptions of place. It was an original variation on Orpheus (I also like that Tennessee Williams appears), and I find the idea of the Underworld entrance in Grand Central much more compelling than Olympus in the Empire State Building.
But why do novels featuring Classics students and professors always have to make them so precocious? (cf. Night Train to Lisbon, The Secret History, etc.) (A) This is just annoying and (B) then I get mad when there are, shall we say, infelicities. This whole 'occidit' ambiguity which supports the plot is actually a little more nuanced than the usual examples of classics brilliance (like in Erich Segal's The Class when Sara forgets the digamma and Ted misses a reference to Lampros--oh please), so props to Marsh on that, but at the same time if the kid really knew his Latin he would know better. I'd rather just read about an ordinary clever kid (he doesn't need to be helping a Yale professor) who has questions but doesn't know all the answers (so in this area, Percy Jackson wins).
Shoot, I just realized I am criticizing Erich Segal for making his classicists too stupid and everyone else for trying unsuccessfully to make them too smart and having it backfire awfully. Someone should write a book about a classicist who txts during faculty meetings and who comes home and watches 'Miami Ink' marathons.
Ok, rant over. I actually liked this book, but it just reminded me of things that bother me in others.
The sequel preview does not seem that interesting except for this line: "His note said that he had a faculty meeting and would be working late." Yep. But if these get more people interested in Ovid in the original, that's great! His myths are so different from the traditional versions.
So, here is the Latin professor's pedantry:
I liked this book a lot--good characters, generally good writing except for some clunky descriptions of place. It was an original variation on Orpheus (I also like that Tennessee Williams appears), and I find the idea of the Underworld entrance in Grand Central much more compelling than Olympus in the Empire State Building.
But why do novels featuring Classics students and professors always have to make them so precocious? (cf. Night Train to Lisbon, The Secret History, etc.) (A) This is just annoying and (B) then I get mad when there are, shall we say, infelicities. This whole 'occidit' ambiguity which supports the plot is actually a little more nuanced than the usual examples of classics brilliance (like in Erich Segal's The Class when Sara forgets the digamma and Ted misses a reference to Lampros--oh please), so props to Marsh on that, but at the same time if the kid really knew his Latin he would know better. I'd rather just read about an ordinary clever kid (he doesn't need to be helping a Yale professor) who has questions but doesn't know all the answers (so in this area, Percy Jackson wins).
Shoot, I just realized I am criticizing Erich Segal for making his classicists too stupid and everyone else for trying unsuccessfully to make them too smart and having it backfire awfully. Someone should write a book about a classicist who txts during faculty meetings and who comes home and watches 'Miami Ink' marathons.
Ok, rant over. I actually liked this book, but it just reminded me of things that bother me in others.
The sequel preview does not seem that interesting except for this line: "His note said that he had a faculty meeting and would be working late." Yep. But if these get more people interested in Ovid in the original, that's great! His myths are so different from the traditional versions.
November 3, 2020
Maybe a 3.5 if I was being objective but whatever.... I loved this book when I was younger and couldn't remember the name for the life of me for such a long time, so I was really exited to read it again. Big advocate for re-reading books that were important to you when you were young! It was everything I remembered!
February 29, 2008
Jack Perdu is an intelligent, lonely thirteen-year-old living on the Yale campus with his professor father. His mother died six years ago when she was hit on the head by falling scaffolding in New York City, and his father never talks about her, and never lets Jack return to New York, the city of her death.
But when Jack is in an accident, his father sends him to New York to be checked out by their old family doctor. And in Grand Central Station, Jack meets Euri, a mysterious girl who takes him on a tour of Grand Central--the parts that most people never see.
But Euri has a secret--she's dead. And the living are never supposed to enter the Underworld. As Jack travels with Euri, he begins to realize that there are mysteries about his own past that he can finally find answers to, if only he can figure out where to look.
This book isn't what I was expecting it to be. From the first page, I was expecting something more predictable, something sillier. Instead, it was thoughtful and engaging and interesting, and I quite enjoyed it.
It was a New York book, too, one of those books in which the City is a character in itself. Interestingly as well, even though the main character is in ninth grade, which usually means teen/YA to me, the book feels very middle grade.
It doesn't break any major new ground, but it is quite an enjoyable story, and I really did not guess at some of the twists in it.
But when Jack is in an accident, his father sends him to New York to be checked out by their old family doctor. And in Grand Central Station, Jack meets Euri, a mysterious girl who takes him on a tour of Grand Central--the parts that most people never see.
But Euri has a secret--she's dead. And the living are never supposed to enter the Underworld. As Jack travels with Euri, he begins to realize that there are mysteries about his own past that he can finally find answers to, if only he can figure out where to look.
This book isn't what I was expecting it to be. From the first page, I was expecting something more predictable, something sillier. Instead, it was thoughtful and engaging and interesting, and I quite enjoyed it.
It was a New York book, too, one of those books in which the City is a character in itself. Interestingly as well, even though the main character is in ninth grade, which usually means teen/YA to me, the book feels very middle grade.
It doesn't break any major new ground, but it is quite an enjoyable story, and I really did not guess at some of the twists in it.
October 23, 2008
Jack Perdu is a 15 year old fascinated by all things latin. One day, while reading a text, he gets hit by a car. Luckily, it's nothing bad but he's been seeing weird things since. His father sends him to a doctor in NY. On the way back, he meets Euri at the train station. She's been dead for a while and she takes him on a journey through the NY of the dead. All the while, he's searching for his mom who died in NY 8 years ago.
Good book, very easily read. I love the author's vision of death : all those dead "haunting" places, going to the theater or a cafe. It is quite a fun view. Katherine Marsh reinterperts the myth of Orpheus in fun way.
Good book, very easily read. I love the author's vision of death : all those dead "haunting" places, going to the theater or a cafe. It is quite a fun view. Katherine Marsh reinterperts the myth of Orpheus in fun way.
June 6, 2009
Winner of 2008 Edgar Award followed by the excellent book, The Twilight Prisoner.
Jack lives with his dad at Yale, his mother died years ago- his dad won't talk about her.
He has his nose in a book - he is a Latin prodigy- translating Metamorphoses- and walks in front of a car, literally knocking the life out of him. When he comes to and comes home, he finds he can see ghosts- those who have died and not yet got to Elysium Fields. He realizes this is an opportunity to find his mother and get questions that his dad won't talk about answered.
This is the story of jack's travels with the ghosts in search of his mother and his struggle to make it home to his dad.
Jack lives with his dad at Yale, his mother died years ago- his dad won't talk about her.
He has his nose in a book - he is a Latin prodigy- translating Metamorphoses- and walks in front of a car, literally knocking the life out of him. When he comes to and comes home, he finds he can see ghosts- those who have died and not yet got to Elysium Fields. He realizes this is an opportunity to find his mother and get questions that his dad won't talk about answered.
This is the story of jack's travels with the ghosts in search of his mother and his struggle to make it home to his dad.
June 29, 2022
A moderately fun ride into the underworld of New York City. My main gripe with this book was the ending. I normally don't mind bittersweet endings, but this one just didn't sit well with me. I also feel that the book could have expanded more on the mysterious doctor Jack sees in this book, and I would liked to see a bit more of Euri's story.
All in all, a 4/5 that could have been a 5/5. While I do like this book, I'm not particularly interested in reading the sequel, thus I won't.
All in all, a 4/5 that could have been a 5/5. While I do like this book, I'm not particularly interested in reading the sequel, thus I won't.
February 7, 2008
I enjoy reading modern interpretations of classic myths -- and I especially enjoy books that I can recommend to my middle school mythology geeks, but as much as I liked the ideas behind this book, the plot seemed a little too basic and straightforward.
August 15, 2008
Jack lost his mother eight years ago and has just suffered a recent accident. After the accident, he is seeing some strange things and a girl ends up leading him to the afterworld under New York. It had a nice twist of mythology in the urban setting and was a quick and enjoyable read.
December 18, 2012
Loved this story - the characters, subterrain New York, ghosts, secret passages, character stories and personalities, resolution - everything. It is a wonderfully imaginative tale and I'm so glad I found it.
I could not have asked for a better audio to spend time with!
I could not have asked for a better audio to spend time with!
April 13, 2013
Such a great young adult read. This book would definitely be a book to read to a young adult who has lost a parent or even one questioning what happens after someone passes. Even though, I know that the story is make believe I feel as though it would help some with the loss of a loved one.
April 4, 2012
The modern type of Orpheus and Eurydice's story in mythology.
November 2, 2017
I think it was an okay story, but I will not be reading the next book.
September 29, 2009
A ghost story with an interesting twist, it was pretty good.
March 23, 2020
My 11 year old read this as part of English class and really wanted me to read it too. He really liked it a lot, and really enjoyed the discussion at school, though he is a sensitive kid and told me it had some disturbing things in it that were upsetting about death.
Halfway through I said to him I liked it, but I thought it wasn't that well written and sometimes I didn't get the motivations of the characters and why Jack would so willingly follow Euri, who was so clearly hiding information and maybe not making choices that were good for Jack. He explained that I needed to think of it from Jack's perspective, that Jack had suffered losses and was therefore more likely to make those decisions. Vulnerable? I said, and he replied, yeah, that's the word I was looking for.
So, bottom line, my kid liked it and got the characters and the meaning. I, on the other hand, now compare all middle grade books to Rick Riordan. Riordan fills his books with details and jokes and lots of action and they are very long and intricately plotted. At the same time, the dialogue, motivations, and characters are relatively clear, though I suppose you could argue that his characterizations, because of the jokey, light tone, aren't actually that deep. What Riordan can do is write well. I struggled in the beginning with this over some fo the word choices and dialogue - it just didn't flow, felt more like someone hd re-written for a younger audience, swapping out words, but hadn't picked good words to use. I also felt like introducing suicide requires some level of follow up, though the character clearly regretted it, so at least there was that. But her characterization was too thin.
11 year old already read the sequel but I think he didn't enjoy it as much, so I'll pick that up this week.
Halfway through I said to him I liked it, but I thought it wasn't that well written and sometimes I didn't get the motivations of the characters and why Jack would so willingly follow Euri, who was so clearly hiding information and maybe not making choices that were good for Jack. He explained that I needed to think of it from Jack's perspective, that Jack had suffered losses and was therefore more likely to make those decisions. Vulnerable? I said, and he replied, yeah, that's the word I was looking for.
So, bottom line, my kid liked it and got the characters and the meaning. I, on the other hand, now compare all middle grade books to Rick Riordan. Riordan fills his books with details and jokes and lots of action and they are very long and intricately plotted. At the same time, the dialogue, motivations, and characters are relatively clear, though I suppose you could argue that his characterizations, because of the jokey, light tone, aren't actually that deep. What Riordan can do is write well. I struggled in the beginning with this over some fo the word choices and dialogue - it just didn't flow, felt more like someone hd re-written for a younger audience, swapping out words, but hadn't picked good words to use. I also felt like introducing suicide requires some level of follow up, though the character clearly regretted it, so at least there was that. But her characterization was too thin.
11 year old already read the sequel but I think he didn't enjoy it as much, so I'll pick that up this week.
December 15, 2017
Since I was little I’ve always been fascinated by Greek mythology, I only read books based on that topic and one day I was looking for books similar to Percy Jackson because I wanted to read just a simple book and luckily I found The Night Tourist, a novel that surprisingly, later will become one of my favorites. I’ve never read any of Marsh’s books but this one got my attention. The genre of the book is fantasy with a lot of mystery that is clearly shown throughout the novel.
The journey that Jack Perdu, a brave and intellectual young boy embarks on with Euri, his peculiar friend to the underworld is quite an interesting one; as they unravel secrets and escape from the people chasing them, the two main characters discover their mission and do everything in their power to accomplish it; although the end is a bit predictable it leaves the reader with a certain intrigue at the end of every chapter that will “force” the person to continue on reading until the end of the book. Even though it's not the most mind- bending book I do certainly recommend it if the reader likes mythology and is in the mood for something simple and enjoyable.
The journey that Jack Perdu, a brave and intellectual young boy embarks on with Euri, his peculiar friend to the underworld is quite an interesting one; as they unravel secrets and escape from the people chasing them, the two main characters discover their mission and do everything in their power to accomplish it; although the end is a bit predictable it leaves the reader with a certain intrigue at the end of every chapter that will “force” the person to continue on reading until the end of the book. Even though it's not the most mind- bending book I do certainly recommend it if the reader likes mythology and is in the mood for something simple and enjoyable.
June 3, 2022
Jack Perdu is a longer who prefers spending his time with books. His mother died eight years ago, so he lives with his father, the chair of the Archaeology department at Yale.
After Jack was hit by a car, his father wanted him to see Dr. Lyons in New York for a second check-up. Jack would go by train from Union Station to Grand Central and back home. At 14 his father felt Jack could go along.
When Jack meets a girl named Euri in Grand Central Terminal, his journey takes a detour. Euri takes him on a tour of the terminal and shows him places the average traveller never sees. When he arrives eight floors below the station, he finds another world besides tracks and stairways. He is in New York’s ghostly underworld. Here he hopes to learn more about his mother, but he also learns more about himself.
This is well written with interesting characters and story lines, description of characters, situations and locations that take you to the action. It deals with loss of loved ones and the coming to terms with it; also with bravery in dealing with life situations.
A good read for kids and adults.
After Jack was hit by a car, his father wanted him to see Dr. Lyons in New York for a second check-up. Jack would go by train from Union Station to Grand Central and back home. At 14 his father felt Jack could go along.
When Jack meets a girl named Euri in Grand Central Terminal, his journey takes a detour. Euri takes him on a tour of the terminal and shows him places the average traveller never sees. When he arrives eight floors below the station, he finds another world besides tracks and stairways. He is in New York’s ghostly underworld. Here he hopes to learn more about his mother, but he also learns more about himself.
This is well written with interesting characters and story lines, description of characters, situations and locations that take you to the action. It deals with loss of loved ones and the coming to terms with it; also with bravery in dealing with life situations.
A good read for kids and adults.
Read
May 9, 2022Honestly bought this book just for the cover without a care in the world for what was inside of it…
This kid, Jack, stumbles into a world of ghosts in the New York sewer system, but is reluctant to leave, as he desperately wants to find the ghost of his mother. However, he only has three days before he becomes a ghost and has to stay forever. Dun dun dun!
With the help of a new ghost friend, Euri, Jack explores New York as a ghost, searching for his mother, but before all is said in done, there are a lot of secrets to be revealed…
This book is definitely written for a middle grade audience and reminds me of Percy Jackson if he became a ghost to try and find his mother while in the underworld. The story is filled with references to the classics and Greek mythology and is really a fun new take on a kid wandering into the ghostly realm.
I would fully recommend this book to anyone who loves Greek myths, the trope of a normal kid stumbling into a supernatural world, and friends to maybe lovers one day. I can’t wait to read the second book, The Twilight Prisoner!
This kid, Jack, stumbles into a world of ghosts in the New York sewer system, but is reluctant to leave, as he desperately wants to find the ghost of his mother. However, he only has three days before he becomes a ghost and has to stay forever. Dun dun dun!
With the help of a new ghost friend, Euri, Jack explores New York as a ghost, searching for his mother, but before all is said in done, there are a lot of secrets to be revealed…
This book is definitely written for a middle grade audience and reminds me of Percy Jackson if he became a ghost to try and find his mother while in the underworld. The story is filled with references to the classics and Greek mythology and is really a fun new take on a kid wandering into the ghostly realm.
I would fully recommend this book to anyone who loves Greek myths, the trope of a normal kid stumbling into a supernatural world, and friends to maybe lovers one day. I can’t wait to read the second book, The Twilight Prisoner!
May 27, 2018
3.5 stars
I'm looking for a summer reading title for rising 9th graders. It needs to be related to Ancient Greece; I liked this one because it was a modern retelling of Eurydice and Orpheus.
Why I would have enjoyed assigning the book:
1. Greek references
2. Literary references (Dante's Inferno , Dylan Thomas, Tennessee Williams, etc.)
3. Assignments such as reading maps, history of famous NYC buildings
4. It's an easy, fun read, perfect for assigned summer reading.
I could see SO MANY opportunities with this book!
Why I am not going to assign the book (SPOILER ALERT):
1. The book is set in the Underworld, so there are many ghosts/ spirits. I don't know if parents will feel this is "too dark."
2. Parents may not appreciate the pages with the Ouija board (brief scene).
3. Euni's death was a suicide. She regrets it. However, I don't know if this is a sensitive subject for the students.
The book had only two minor profanities.
I'm looking for a summer reading title for rising 9th graders. It needs to be related to Ancient Greece; I liked this one because it was a modern retelling of Eurydice and Orpheus.
Why I would have enjoyed assigning the book:
1. Greek references
2. Literary references (Dante's Inferno , Dylan Thomas, Tennessee Williams, etc.)
3. Assignments such as reading maps, history of famous NYC buildings
4. It's an easy, fun read, perfect for assigned summer reading.
I could see SO MANY opportunities with this book!
Why I am not going to assign the book (SPOILER ALERT):
1. The book is set in the Underworld, so there are many ghosts/ spirits. I don't know if parents will feel this is "too dark."
2. Parents may not appreciate the pages with the Ouija board (brief scene).
3. Euni's death was a suicide. She regrets it. However, I don't know if this is a sensitive subject for the students.
The book had only two minor profanities.
January 19, 2020
This is a strange story. It's supposed to be a kid's book but I think it would depend on the age and sophistication of the child. Jack, reading a book while he's walking and determinedly ignoring overtures by a school friend, is struck by a car and knocked out. He wakens and it is decided by his father that Jack should take the train from Princeton to NYC to visit Dr.Lyons. Dr.Lyons was a friend of Jack's late mother. He takes a picture of Jack and, with a lifted antique subway token in his pocket, Jack heads for Grand Central Station. He catches the tail end of a tour of GCS, and in the whispering gallery he meets...Euri. A ghost. And he follows her into the grounds of the Dead of New York. This book is filled with charming images - the pouring out of the ghosts into the night air at any fountain in NYC, ghosts in the public library,for example. Jack is on a search for his late mother....read the book. It's worth it
May 16, 2017
What if you learned there was an entrance to the afterlife under New York. What if you had a map? What if your mom died when you were little? Would you use the map? Enter the afterlife? Find your Mom?
Jack Perdu learns there is an entrance, finds a map, and even goes to find his Mom...There he meets a girl, who wants to return to Life...can it be done? Just as Jack starts to find answers, he is recognized as a living being and the chase is on.
Great read, lots of fun, and a few surprises.
Jack Perdu learns there is an entrance, finds a map, and even goes to find his Mom...There he meets a girl, who wants to return to Life...can it be done? Just as Jack starts to find answers, he is recognized as a living being and the chase is on.
Great read, lots of fun, and a few surprises.
January 28, 2019
Główny bohater schodzi do świata podziemnego, by zobaczyć się z matką. Zmarła gdy był mały. W świecie duchów poznaje młodą dziewczynę. Bohater zaprzyjaźnia się z nią. Z czasem stara się odszukać sposób na jej uratowanie.
Ogromnym atutem tej powieści jest pomysł na fabułę. Książka jest lekka i przyjemna. Szybko się ją czyta. Wciąga do samego końca, choć samo zakończenie niezbyt przypadło mi do gustu. Wydawało się po prostu napisane na szybko.
Styl autorki jest przyjemny,a motyw mitu o Orfeuszu i Eurydyce sprawia, że powieść jest trochę mroczna i tajemnicza.
Ogromnym atutem tej powieści jest pomysł na fabułę. Książka jest lekka i przyjemna. Szybko się ją czyta. Wciąga do samego końca, choć samo zakończenie niezbyt przypadło mi do gustu. Wydawało się po prostu napisane na szybko.
Styl autorki jest przyjemny,a motyw mitu o Orfeuszu i Eurydyce sprawia, że powieść jest trochę mroczna i tajemnicza.
December 26, 2025
My daughter read this book for her 6th grade book club and that prompted me to borrow and read it too. The author stuck very close to the Greek mythology through a modern lens. There are parts of the story that are heart-breaking and she writes beautifully.
I did not care for the ending and would have given this a rating of 3 but for seeing that this is part of a series; and I will hold grace that my perceived wrongs will be corrected in the following book. A quick and engaging read that will lead to a very interesting conversation I am sure!
I did not care for the ending and would have given this a rating of 3 but for seeing that this is part of a series; and I will hold grace that my perceived wrongs will be corrected in the following book. A quick and engaging read that will lead to a very interesting conversation I am sure!
June 26, 2024
The Night Tourist by Katherine Marsh. A. YA/ upper middle grade book about 14-year-old Jack who sees ghosts. In particular he sees Euri who is his guide in the Underworld as he tries to find his mom who died eight years earlier. But Jack’s eyes betray that he living and he chased by Clubber and Cerebus. Euri wants to live so Jack and she go to special place but Jack looks behind him and Euri must stay. This take is based on the Orpheus and Euripes Greek tale. Short but good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2025
Ich liebe dieses Buch, ich habe als Kind 12/13 Jahr alt immer das Hörspiel in der Bibliothek ausgeliehen und es hat mich super fasziniert. Ich musste immer wieder daran denken und habe mich dazu entschlossen das Buch zu kaufen ! Ich liebe die Geschichte ❤️
Das hat irgendwie ein Stückchen Kindheit wieder gegeben aber durch ganz andere Augen, die Geschichte fühlt sich ganz anders an, man liest mit einem anderen Verständnis und das macht die Geschichte so schön !
Das hat irgendwie ein Stückchen Kindheit wieder gegeben aber durch ganz andere Augen, die Geschichte fühlt sich ganz anders an, man liest mit einem anderen Verständnis und das macht die Geschichte so schön !
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