Jump

by Mike Lupica

When a high-profile basketball star is accused of rape, ex-lawyer and pro sports investigator DiMaggio is called into the case and must sift through a media circus of innuendo and lies in order to discern the truth. Reissue.

Genres: Fiction, Sports, Mystery

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Michael Lupica is an author and American newspaper columnist, best known for his provocative commentary on sports in the New York Daily News and his appearances on ESPN.

Reviews

[Agsilv3r · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleased with the book because it incorporated one of my passions, basketball, and added a twist into the mix: rape. It was very descriptive of many colorful and hilarious characters. There were also multiple sides to the story for the rape happening simultaneously. The beginning is inviting and grabbing, the climax is thrilling, and there are multiple changes in the story so that it always keeps you guessing on whodunnit. The characters are mostly what keep the book alive at some times. When there is not much action, the author is very witty with what some of the characters say.

The author's purpose for writing this book is to give athletes who might not be focused on reading books and doing homework. This book is perfect for your average athlete because it is so life-like that you feel like you are in that same room, just experiencing everything that is happening in their world. The characters Ellis Adair and Richie Collins are accused of rape by Hannah Carey. Then one of the characters gets murdered and the whole plot thickens. Now there are multiple suspects. Maybe someone shouldn't have raped a certain someone?

The theme is do not rape people! Just settle down, you will get your chance. But in all seriousness, the relations you make with people will forever affect your life, so try to make the least amount of enemies as possible. The actions of some of the characters affected their lives super dramatically, and now they are ruined.

This book tells a narrative story. It is easy to tell because it doesn't have any flashbacks, or anything like that. It just goes in order the way the events happen normally in regular life. It starts with Hannah Carey reporting her rape, and ends in a happy ending, with everything happening in sequence. It is very effective because it is easy to follow and if it is written any other way I tend to lose my place or get confused as to what exactly is happening in the story, and i might miss key information. If that happens, I might have to waste time re-reading over and over to just understand what is going on. It is written in third person, but his open thoughts are non-existent.

[Will Gustafson]

"Jump" is a dramatic and riveting story told by Mike Lupica. In this seductively powerful thriller, a beautiful young woman accuses Ellis Adair, the best basketball player in the NBA, of rape. Though he claims innocence, the modern day media still bashes and antagonizes him for being involved in such a predicament. Read for yourself to find out the truth.
The purpose of this novel is not only to entertain, but also to paint the image of the dark side of professional sports today. Though this story is fictional, there have been many cases similar to it that take place in real life. Rape is a sensitive social issue in today's world and this book addresses how it is can be dealt with on a national scale.
The theme of this novel is to stand up for what is true. When Adair is accused, he refuses to merely give in to the false allegations. He knows that he did not commit the crime. He trusts the justice system, ignores all of the negative media, and stands by his story of truth.
The style of writing in which Lupica chose to tell the story was narratively with a third person point of view. This style is effective for the most part. The exposition seems to drag on and interest might be lost if the plot does not intrigue.
In my opinion, this was a very suspenseful novel that could be gripping at times and lulling at others. I love that it was about such a real topic. The fact that it blended with my favorite sport made it more enjoyable for me. If you find the dark side of the NBA (drugs, sex, violence) intriguing, then this is the book for you.

[Bruce Snell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a total departure from Mike Lupica's usual style. For most of his books, it appears Lupica used one outline and simply changed the details and sports, with the flow of the story remaining exactly the same. In this one, however, Lupica gives us a mystery - the tale of a woman who comes forward after a year and reports that two star basketball players raped her. The reader is left in doubt as to who is telling the truth, especially when we learn that the "victim" and both ballplayers are lying about some of the details. Lupica finds a way out of this dilemma of "blame", by providing an ending in which everyone loses. The result leaves is a sense of sadness, and of justice, even if that justice was not provided by the legal system. Well worth the read.

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book could have been really good. Mr. Lupica writes as if he forgets he is writing a novel. The jumps were jagged, foul language was inserted at random places, and the characters were forgetful of their action in the novel. Having said all this, the novel was plotted well and the ending was heartbreaking. I will give this author another chance and hope this book was written early in his career, but given the publication date, I think he gets only once chance.

[Tanner Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book for sure was a page turned, the more pages you read the more you want to just keep reading. People who like suspense books and like mystery books would love this book. The amount of controversy and madness that happens in this book will make it a book you will not forget. So i do recommend this book to be read. 10/10.

[Alan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. I probably wouldn't have finished it if I wasn't stuck on the plane. Story seems to meander.

[Billy Donohoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll read another.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lupica is my fav sports reporter. He wrote a great column the day the RS won the pennant in 2004. I wish I had known enough to save it. Anyway, really liked this book.

[Jacob]

wow

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having taught middle school, I was familiar with Lupica’s middle school books... this book was in the same genre sports... but grittier. I thought the plot was interesting but quite predictable. Very quick read.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. First Mike Lupica book I've read. Look forward to reading his other books. Kept me interested all the way through, wondering how it would all turn out. Great writing.

[Victoria]

No review available.

[Joe O'Connor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good; Woman accuses two basketball players of rape, one gets killed.