Katherine Marsh’s novel, The Night Tourist, is an interesting addition to the vast collection of middle grade novels inspired by Greek Mythology. Marsh updates the Orpheus myth through the story of modern day Jack Perdu, a shy boy who enjoys reading and translating myths from Greek. While walking across the Yale University campus where his father works, Jack has a tragic accident, one that should have killed him. Sent to New York City to see a doctor to ensure he is okay, Jack encounters the ghosts of New York City and sets off on an adventure to discover what happened to his dead mother and whether the dead can be brought back to life.
The Night Tourist will satisfy readers who love mythology but not bore them with the same old talk of gods and goddesses that seem to be overplayed in YA literature. The Orpheus myth is a classic and one that many young readers may not have been introduced to yet. This reinterpretation seems fresh and new with the inclusion of more modern history of New Haven and New York City. As Jack experiences the local attractions of New York, the reader experiences them as well with the benefit of Marsh’s detailed descriptions. At first, the descriptions of New York locals seem exciting, especially for readers who dream of visiting the Big Apple. However, by the end of the novel, its starts to feel as if Marsh really wished to write a New York City attractions guide for children. For those readers who love history and love New York, The Night Tourist will be a pleasant read.
The novel also deals with some hard hitting themes. The loss of a parent is central to the story as Jack takes advantage of his journey to the Underworld to try to find out what happened to his mother. As readers continue through the book, they will find out some shocking secrets about Jack’s parentage. When Jack finally meets his mother, the reader expects an emotional meeting. But the whole scene is rushed making the scene feel unrealistic and leaving the reader feeling frustrated. Nor does the brief reunion connect back to the theme of the book. It is lucky that the author has spent much time crafting the character of Euri, Jack’s ghost guide/friend, to carry along the theme and the plot of the book to its final resolution. Without the ending scene in this book, the story would feel unfulfilled. Ultimately, it is the author’s descriptions of the main characters and New York sights that make this book an enticing read.
Does it have a Young Adult Label?: No.
Recommended if you like: Ghosts, Greek Mythology, History, Trips to New York, Flying, Secret pasts, Books in a series
Rating:
The Night Tourist will satisfy readers who love mythology but not bore them with the same old talk of gods and goddesses that seem to be overplayed in YA literature. The Orpheus myth is a classic and one that many young readers may not have been introduced to yet. This reinterpretation seems fresh and new with the inclusion of more modern history of New Haven and New York City. As Jack experiences the local attractions of New York, the reader experiences them as well with the benefit of Marsh’s detailed descriptions. At first, the descriptions of New York locals seem exciting, especially for readers who dream of visiting the Big Apple. However, by the end of the novel, its starts to feel as if Marsh really wished to write a New York City attractions guide for children. For those readers who love history and love New York, The Night Tourist will be a pleasant read.
The novel also deals with some hard hitting themes. The loss of a parent is central to the story as Jack takes advantage of his journey to the Underworld to try to find out what happened to his mother. As readers continue through the book, they will find out some shocking secrets about Jack’s parentage. When Jack finally meets his mother, the reader expects an emotional meeting. But the whole scene is rushed making the scene feel unrealistic and leaving the reader feeling frustrated. Nor does the brief reunion connect back to the theme of the book. It is lucky that the author has spent much time crafting the character of Euri, Jack’s ghost guide/friend, to carry along the theme and the plot of the book to its final resolution. Without the ending scene in this book, the story would feel unfulfilled. Ultimately, it is the author’s descriptions of the main characters and New York sights that make this book an enticing read.
Does it have a Young Adult Label?: No.
Recommended if you like: Ghosts, Greek Mythology, History, Trips to New York, Flying, Secret pasts, Books in a series
Rating: