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253rd out of 2,443 books
—
5,778 voters
The Night Tourist (Jack Perdu #1)
by
Katherine Marsh (Goodreads Author)
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 eigh...more
Hardcover, First Edition, 230 pages
Published
September 18th 2007
by Disney-Hyperion
(first published April 9th 2007)
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The Night Tourist was a highly simplistic read that I started one night and finished the next afternoon. The writing is very to the point and not overly embellished though I think that I would have liked to see more added into it, especially in the more surreal parts of the novel. It was a very creative and fun journey though it seemed rushed and bland at points because of the bland writing.
I loved the ideas presented throughout The Night Tourist and the underworld that it created for the ghosts...more
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 bey...more
Aug 12, 2009
Christina Rumbaugh
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
period-era,
supernatural-or-horror
Alright. This is a children's book. I admit it. The target audience is 10+, haha. But I met the author at a Barnes & Noble last week, and after talking to her and hearing her talk about fantasy writing, and the premise of her book, I was definitely intrigued.
The story follows a 14-year-old boy named Jack Perdu. He's a book worm, wise beyond his years. He doesn't have many friends, instead choosing to spend his time translating Metamorphoses from Latin to English with the head of the Classic...more
The story follows a 14-year-old boy named Jack Perdu. He's a book worm, wise beyond his years. He doesn't have many friends, instead choosing to spend his time translating Metamorphoses from Latin to English with the head of the Classic...more
Jack Perdu, 14, is a brilliant, yet lonely teenager in New Haven where his father is a professor at Yale. His mother is dead and he misses her terribly. Jack is so absorbed in his translation of Ovid's Metamotphoses, that he doesn't even see the car that hits him as he is walking across the street. He's rushed to the hospital, and the doctors all say it is a miracle that he was not seriously hurt...that's when all sorts of strange, mysterious paranormal sightings suddenly appear before Jack. He...more
Jack, a young intelligent boy, suffers a near fatal accident in the very beginning of the book. Jack has a few peculiar set of experiences following the accident just before his father sends him to New York to see a Dr. Lyon. After a very unusual visit to dr Lyon where jack steals a golden coin by mistake, jack sets off for for grand central station where he follows a tour around the building before his train is set to arrive. Just before the tour concludes- for jack at least- they stop in "the...more
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 afte...more
The Night Tourist by Katherine Marsh, is a tale about a boy named Jack. He is a high school boy who also helps his dad at a university. When Jack wanders into a street and gets hit by a car, he is put into a hospital. After he is discharged he meets a doctor who wants to tell him something but doesn't until later. Jack then goes and does a little sight seeing in New York and meets her. He meets Euri, a girl with some huge secrets. Soon enough he realizes that she is a ghost. He asks her to help...more
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 w...more
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 w...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
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 pro...more
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 pro...more
2 likes · like · see review
I have mixed feelings for this book.
The plot is interesting. Jack suddenly can see ghosts after an accident. He went to see a doctor in New York City and met Euri, a ghost girl who led him to the Underworld. While exploring that world, Jack found out more about his dead mother and intended to bring her and his new friend back with him...if he could escape from Cerberos and the Clubber.
The Underworld details are interesting enough, even fun when some famous characters showed up. But I found it d...more
The plot is interesting. Jack suddenly can see ghosts after an accident. He went to see a doctor in New York City and met Euri, a ghost girl who led him to the Underworld. While exploring that world, Jack found out more about his dead mother and intended to bring her and his new friend back with him...if he could escape from Cerberos and the Clubber.
The Underworld details are interesting enough, even fun when some famous characters showed up. But I found it d...more
Synopsis-Jack Perdu is a 14 year old student that is in the 9th grade and one day he suffers a terrible accident that causes him to go to new york city,to see a mysterious doctor that saw his mother died 8 years ago. when he is in the city he meets a girl named Euri and takes Jack to the underground world where he or we never knew existed.
Classification-
Audience: Aimed towards ages 10+
Purpose: Mostly telling about how to live and never make a mistake
Medium: Graphic Novel
Genre-setting-Fiction
Gen...more
Classification-
Audience: Aimed towards ages 10+
Purpose: Mostly telling about how to live and never make a mistake
Medium: Graphic Novel
Genre-setting-Fiction
Gen...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
After being hit by a car, Jack discovers he can see people, people other people can’t see. The question is, who is real, and who is a ghost? While in New York City, Jack meets Euri, an adventurous, fun girl that is excited to show him the city’s sites. Jack soon discovers that Euri is a ghost who agrees to show him the sites of New York’s Underworld, the haunts and ghosts of those people who have died in New York.
Jack’s mother died in New York.
The possibility of seeing her again fuels Jack’s des...more
Jack’s mother died in New York.
The possibility of seeing her again fuels Jack’s des...more
Meh.
I suppose it was a good try. Not very successful though. Or maybe that's just how it is for someone who's already familiar with Greek mythology.
I was expecting something more like Mieville's Un Lun Dun or Gaiman's Neverwhere. You know, with a bit of innovation, quirkyness and originality? Instead I got "Hey, the old man sitting here wants a coin...ah...he's Chiron...yep, confirmed..." or "I hear barking, must be Cerberus...ah...yes...it's coming to get us..." Maybe it'll be a good book for...more
I suppose it was a good try. Not very successful though. Or maybe that's just how it is for someone who's already familiar with Greek mythology.
I was expecting something more like Mieville's Un Lun Dun or Gaiman's Neverwhere. You know, with a bit of innovation, quirkyness and originality? Instead I got "Hey, the old man sitting here wants a coin...ah...he's Chiron...yep, confirmed..." or "I hear barking, must be Cerberus...ah...yes...it's coming to get us..." Maybe it'll be a good book for...more
Mar 23, 2010
Elizabeth K.
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Elizabeth by:
VSC Discussion Book
Shelves:
2010-new-reads
It was our VSC book for March. I felt there was a lot of agreement at the meeting.
In general, the concept was terrific. New York story, underworld, what's not to like. Most of the NYC city things were terrific, but there were a few that felt more like they were shoehorned in for the sole purpose of tacking on another secret New York venue. In contrast, see perfect NYC kidlit books where every locale serves to move the plot forward appropriately: From the Mixed Up Files ..., Cricket in Times Squa...more
In general, the concept was terrific. New York story, underworld, what's not to like. Most of the NYC city things were terrific, but there were a few that felt more like they were shoehorned in for the sole purpose of tacking on another secret New York venue. In contrast, see perfect NYC kidlit books where every locale serves to move the plot forward appropriately: From the Mixed Up Files ..., Cricket in Times Squa...more
The Night Tourist has a lot of great elements: for example, it's a double retelling of the Orpheus myth, it refers to the Latin of Ovid's Metamorphoses at a number of points, it shows a real affection for New York City, the ghost of Dylan Thomas is a character, and the deceased Tennessee Williams writes a bad play in the underworld. Marsh even gives the Eurydice characters more agency than in other renditions of the myth. But the way in which Marsh has given the Eurydice characters agency become...more
The Night Tourist is a book that I have been eyeing at my library for a while but never picked it up because I always had other books to read. I grabbed it impulsively and started reading it during my lunch break. It was so interesting that I had to take it home and find out what happened to Jack and Euri.
Jack is a smart kid that always feels a little different than his fellow students and when he is hit by a car his perception of the world changes. He is able to see ghosts and is lead into the...more
Jack is a smart kid that always feels a little different than his fellow students and when he is hit by a car his perception of the world changes. He is able to see ghosts and is lead into the...more
Well, this wasn't a book that I would have picked up, but my son read it and insisted that I read it. I'm glad I did. It was a great story and I am looking forward to reading the sequel.
The Night Tourist tells the story of Jack, a boy who has no friends, a sad relationship with his dad since his mother's death. After being hit by a car, Jack is sent to see a NY doctor. After his visit he meets Euri at the train station and his adventure begins. The ultimate goal? To find his mother in the under...more
The Night Tourist tells the story of Jack, a boy who has no friends, a sad relationship with his dad since his mother's death. After being hit by a car, Jack is sent to see a NY doctor. After his visit he meets Euri at the train station and his adventure begins. The ultimate goal? To find his mother in the under...more
Mar 16, 2010
Rebecca
added it
The Night Tourist was an interesting book. I have to say that it's more for a younger age than young adult but it is still a very enjoyable book.
I think that if you like mythology of the greek and roman sort then you'll definitely like this book. There were so many underlying references to several of the myths that I enjoyed it so much.
The story itself was really cool and I just loved the whole idea of it.
I just didn't think the characters were so great.
The whole time the book was hinting at thi...more
I think that if you like mythology of the greek and roman sort then you'll definitely like this book. There were so many underlying references to several of the myths that I enjoyed it so much.
The story itself was really cool and I just loved the whole idea of it.
I just didn't think the characters were so great.
The whole time the book was hinting at thi...more
I don't know how I felt about this. Jack lives in New Haven with his dad, where they moved after his mother's death. One day, he gets hit by a car. His father sends him to a specialist in New York and then, before he can make it back home, he encounters a young girl named Euri - and there's something a little off about her. I didn't really love this. It was an interesting concept but I didn't love how it was pulled off. Usually I love retelling of classic stories and myths, but this was a bit to...more
This is the first book in the series featuring fourteen-year-old Jack Perdu. Jack's father is a professor of archeology at Yale, and he is studying the classics. When he has a close call after being hit by a car, his father sends him to New York City to meet a doctor there. The doctor visit is a bit odd, and while waiting for his train home, Jack meets a girl his age who takes him on a tour of New York that he will never forget. He finds himself in New York's ghost world, and tries to learn the...more
Jun 06, 2009
Claire
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
supernatural, mystery, alternate New York
Shelves:
a-7th-and-8th-grade-middle-school-t
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 quest...more
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 quest...more
This book, again like everything I have read in December, this is a re-try for me. I got this book YEAARRS ago and never really picked it up after I read the first chapter. So it was time for a re-try.
This book is about 14 year old Jack Purdue, who has no friends, and basically no life. His mother died mysteriously 8 years ago and his Dad still cries every night. One day while Jack is reading a book, he crosses the street and gets hit by a car. He wakes up[ in the hospital seeing a nurse and a p...more
This book is about 14 year old Jack Purdue, who has no friends, and basically no life. His mother died mysteriously 8 years ago and his Dad still cries every night. One day while Jack is reading a book, he crosses the street and gets hit by a car. He wakes up[ in the hospital seeing a nurse and a p...more
I really would give this 3.5 stars because it is well-worded and an interesting take on the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Jack is a well developed character, but I think the weakness lies with Euri. Although she is a likable character, she feels a little weak. The weakness comes from Marsh's efforts to make the story mysterious. Marsh gives Euri's history a bit at a time to keep her readers in suspense. However, this makes the storyline a little hard to follow. It also makes Euri's character inc...more
At first I had a hard time suspending my disbelief-- things were just working out a little too well. But the author explains most of the discrepancies, however awkward it may be. The story between Euri and Jack is a moving one, and I enjoyed how that relationship develops. I was reacquainted with some mythology I had forgotten, and as an ex-New Yorker I also appreciated the "inside jokes" as well.
Although it was written for young adults, it was a quick, yet solid, read for this "regular" adult....more
Although it was written for young adults, it was a quick, yet solid, read for this "regular" adult....more
Jul 29, 2011
Nancy
added it
At first when I discovered this was a young persons book I was tempted to set it aside and listen to something else but it was definitely worth the time. Jack is a young (14) classics prodigy who live with his father on the Yale campus. One evening walking home he's hit by a car and things are different for him. His father sends him to New York to see a special Dr. On his way back to New Haven he encounters the ghost of Euri. Jack spends the next three days touring the New York underworld.
An int...more
An int...more
I'd never really thought of the Orpheus story as being one about loss and grief - why, I've no clue because it is rather obvious. This is a retelling of the classic tale in the spirit of Percy Jackson - at least part of the underworld has moved to New York City, and the NYC dead roam the streets and skies, frequent the library, Central Park, theaters and various watering holes. At least until they resolve their 'problems' and head off to Elysium. The story is a lot about forgiveness, which is ne...more
What an unusual mystery! I chose it in the hopes that I could recommend it to 5th graders. Based on the Orpheus and Eurydice myth, a boy who can see ghosts visits the underworld in search of his mother who may or may not have committed suicide. His escort in the underworld is a teenage girl who did commit suicide. Soo, not for elementary school. Also its emphasis on Latin and Ovid's Metamorphosis makes it not kid friendly. I loved the story with it myth variant and its main characters and their...more
Although this lovely retelling of the Orpheus-Eurydice myth was written for a young crowd, it appealed to both myself and my 11 year old daughter. The issue of death is faced very poetically. Sometimes the character Jack, a 14 year old boy, seemed a little younger in his reactions, by the end he was feeling older to me in his feelings for girls.
Jack becomes a night tourist of the New York underground, where all of New York's dead reside during daylight hours. The bits of mythology were fantastic...more
Jack becomes a night tourist of the New York underground, where all of New York's dead reside during daylight hours. The bits of mythology were fantastic...more
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Nov 19, 2012 06:32am