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Jumper
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Product Description
Review
‘[Gould’s] warm, delightful and compulsively readable novel displays assured storytelling skill.’
Publishers Weekly
Product Description
Written in the 1990s by American author Steven Gould, Jumper tells the story of Davy Rice as he escapes his tortured childhood to explore the world via teleportation and find his long lost mother.
At seventeen the world is at your feet… especially if you can teleport.
David Rice barely remembers his mother. She left his alcoholic father when Davy was very young. She left Davy too, and since then all of William Rice’s abusive anger has been focused on his young teenage son.
One evening, as he is about to receive another brutal beating, Davy shuts his eyes and wishes to be safe. When he opens them again, he finds himself in his small town’s library. Slowly, he realises he is very special, he can teleport.
Armed with his new power, Davy sets out with new purpose: he will leave his abusive home and find his long lost mother. Davy’s confidence grows as his skills do, but they also draw unwanted attention and soon Davy finds that he too is hunted.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I like to have a rule with regards to books that have been made into films: read the book first. This is largely down to the fact that almost always the book is significantly superior to the film, which is certainly the case with Jumper. In fact there are so many differences between the novel and the film that they bare only the slightest resemblance to each other. I hope that this has convinced you to try and read the book.
The novel is based around the life of Davy Rice, a teenager who discovers that he has the ability to teleport or `jump' instantaneously from place to place. This serves as the catalyst to run away from his abusive drunken father and to begin a life of his own, a life that he soon realises is not bound by the limitations that other people might experience.
The novel, though obviously supernatural in its foundations, is very much about growing up. At the beginning of the novel Davy is a shy and nervous adolescent who lives in constant fear of his overbearing father, the novel shows his journey into becoming a mature and responsible adult. What I liked about the story is that it shows very honestly what most people would do with the ability to come and go as they please, anywhere in the world, the novel shows very easily the freedom that he so effortlessly possesses.
This book contains a heart that the film sadly did not possess; the film seemed to paint Davy as a very self-obsessed loner, whereas the book shows his real motivations and that he is in fact an intelligent and emotional young man. As one reviewer has commented this book is listed somewhere as "young adult fiction", which I think can only be down to the fact that the subject matter does involve a good deal of wish fulfillment. A superb piece of writing to be sure, my one and only reason for not giving the book the coveted five star rating is the fact that I thought the ending was a tiny bit abrupt. Otherwise a wonderful piece of science-fiction.
The novel is based around the life of Davy Rice, a teenager who discovers that he has the ability to teleport or `jump' instantaneously from place to place. This serves as the catalyst to run away from his abusive drunken father and to begin a life of his own, a life that he soon realises is not bound by the limitations that other people might experience.
The novel, though obviously supernatural in its foundations, is very much about growing up. At the beginning of the novel Davy is a shy and nervous adolescent who lives in constant fear of his overbearing father, the novel shows his journey into becoming a mature and responsible adult. What I liked about the story is that it shows very honestly what most people would do with the ability to come and go as they please, anywhere in the world, the novel shows very easily the freedom that he so effortlessly possesses.
This book contains a heart that the film sadly did not possess; the film seemed to paint Davy as a very self-obsessed loner, whereas the book shows his real motivations and that he is in fact an intelligent and emotional young man. As one reviewer has commented this book is listed somewhere as "young adult fiction", which I think can only be down to the fact that the subject matter does involve a good deal of wish fulfillment. A superb piece of writing to be sure, my one and only reason for not giving the book the coveted five star rating is the fact that I thought the ending was a tiny bit abrupt. Otherwise a wonderful piece of science-fiction.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
David Rice is a highly intelligent, well read, seventeen year old boy, who has been physically and verbally abused by his father for years. Abandoned by his mother, Mary, when he was twelve, because David's father, her husband, also battered her, David decides that he cannot take any more abuse. In a moment of great personal angst, he discovers that he can teleport himself to a safe place. So, begins a new life for David and a most excellent adventure for the reader.
David, to his own amazement, can teleport, but there there is a method to the madness, which he soon discovers. His new ability, however, enables him to not have to return home. He, instead, starts a new life for himself, one which the reader will enjoy sharing, as his new found ability, which he calls "jumping", leads to many interesting situations. Some of the situations in which he gets involved turn him into an unusual sort of super hero. Inventive and absorbing, this is a very special coming of age story that will keep the reader turning the pages.
The only problem with the book is that many of David's initial problems, while on his own, arise out of his lack of a social security number. This is a highly unlikely case scenario, because David would have needed a social security number for some of the standardized tests a student is required to take, as the social security number would act as the student's identification number. Moreover, his father would have needed David's social security number in order to claim him as a deduction on his income tax return. This is, however, the only false note in this otherwise totally delightful tale of a young man with powers of teleportation and the ways in which he puts his ability to use.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is an excellent book. I bought it because I saw the trailer for the movie and thought: "what a good idea, but I bet they've overdone the special effects at the expense of the story". So I thought I'd read the book first. I didn't realise that this book is not the story of the movie, but I enjoyed this so much that I probably will read 'Jumper: Griffin's Story' as well. I still haven't seen the movie and don't think I'll bother. The beauty of this story is not the imagery of moving instantly from place to place, but the moral dilemas the main character, Davy Rice, faces as a result of his ability. Is it acceptable to rob a bank so long as no one gets hurt? To convince someone they're going insane because they treated you badly in the past? To dispense justice to terrorists just because you can? There are many, many interesting questions and issues raised in this book.
But my word of warning is this: the movie is 12A and this book was (at one point, if not now) listed in a 'Young Adult' category. I would say this book really isn't appropriate for younger readers. There are some very dark themes: physical and mental child abuse, alcoholism, domestic violence, terrorist violence and homelessness to name a few. Admittedly there's no graphic sex or much in the way of swearing, but I would still strongly suggest that any parent thinking of buying this book for their child after seeing the film read it first, because it may not be suitable.
But my word of warning is this: the movie is 12A and this book was (at one point, if not now) listed in a 'Young Adult' category. I would say this book really isn't appropriate for younger readers. There are some very dark themes: physical and mental child abuse, alcoholism, domestic violence, terrorist violence and homelessness to name a few. Admittedly there's no graphic sex or much in the way of swearing, but I would still strongly suggest that any parent thinking of buying this book for their child after seeing the film read it first, because it may not be suitable.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent
Excellent book, quite different from the film version (or the "Jumper Universe" as the author calls it in his notes). Read more
Published 11 months ago by A. MacKlin
Enjoyable but riddled with typos
I could not put this down. Very enjoyable.
However, the kindle version at least is riddled with typos - I counted 34 in total. Read more
However, the kindle version at least is riddled with typos - I counted 34 in total. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Alpha Mike
Much better than the film!
I only just recently watched the film version of Jumper and was very impressed by it, I searched for the book on Amazon and bought it to give it a try as the majority of reviews... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Martin Belcher
Jumper
Watched the film, so wanted to read the book. Entirely different. The only antagonists are governmental. There are no Paladins. Quite brutal in places. Read more
Published on 30 Oct 2009 by Hilary
Pure Wish Fulfillment!!
Though the cover has been updated with the stylish image of Hayden Christensen, this is the original Jumper novel published in 1992. Read more
Published on 12 Aug 2008 by PIM
what a surprise
I grabbed this after my partner had finished it because I didn't have anything else to read. I wouldn't have chosen it for myself in a million years but I may have to read more of... Read more
Published on 6 May 2008 by b.lops
A good, readable story, much better than the film.
This is a well-written story that is easy to read, and gives much more insight into the character of David. Read more
Published on 30 Mar 2008 by Wessie Pang
very good, a very quick read
This is an extremely good book, but absolutely nothing like the film. I enjoyed the film then went home and bought the book, the book is far better. Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2008 by M. P. Wood
Please read the hard back reviews
It saddens me that such a classic story has been ruined by a poor hollywood attempt. Please dont go and see the film until you read this book, take it as it was , or rather is, one... Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2008 by John L. Mccuaig
Personal journey. Not like the film
Quick warning: despite the 2008 cover update, this book provides only the source ideas for the film - if you want the story of the film, see his specially written "Jumper -... Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2008 by Mr. I. M. Davis
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