The Name of the Star - Maureen Johnson
Synopsis: The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper in the autumn of 1888.
Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police now believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.
Sure, on the surface this book could be classified as paranormal with a protagonist who sees ghosts. But, oh man, it's so much more than that. The narrative is so deliciously layered - it's one of those books you could read over and over and find something different, or a new way to look at it every time. I absolutely love the way Maureen Johnson took one of the first highly publicized murders and brought it into a contemporary time.
I just love the theatricality of the whole thing. There's a commentary on media in this book, as the mimicking of the Jack Ripper murders become highly publicized. The media feeds the fear and hysteria - while the fear and hysteria feed the media. It's a vicious cycle completely fed by the unknown. Something actually terrifying is going on, yet it doesn't feel like it is the main focus. Someone dies, and that should be enough, but it seems people only die because it's a good story. But that's the reason Jack the Ripper is so popular - there was never any explanation as to why he was murdering people - just a lot of theories, which became good stories.
This book held a spell over me - up until the end when things slipped too far into the paranormal and further away from reality - that got to be a little much and it didn't really seem fitting with the beginning of the story. However, I still see a purpose in that, especially if we're looking at the way things can spiral out of control until it becomes something unreal.
And of course - how do you not love a book that not only transports you to England - but to both historical and present day London. I really wished I was there following Rory up and down the streets and through the pubs. Even if it's a dangerous place to be in Maureen Johnson's world, I still wish I could have been there and been a part of it. Although, with the way she brings other random Londoners in, who are experiencing this Rippermania, you do end up feeling like you've been pulled into the chaos.
The Name of the Star is definitely worth reading - and I think it's a great demonstration of the literary merit of the paranormal YA genre. Because not only is it a great, interesting story, but it's so expertly written, and it's a not-always-pleasant reflection of our social norms.
The Name of the Star - Maureen Johnson
Synopsis: The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper in the autumn of 1888.
Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police now believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.
Sure, on the surface this book could be classified as paranormal with a protagonist who sees ghosts. But, oh man, it's so much more than that. The narrative is so deliciously layered - it's one of those books you could read over and over and find something different, or a new way to look at it every time. I absolutely love the way Maureen Johnson took one of the first highly publicized murders and brought it into a contemporary time.
I just love the theatricality of the whole thing. There's a commentary on media in this book, as the mimicking of the Jack Ripper murders become highly publicized. The media feeds the fear and hysteria - while the fear and hysteria feed the media. It's a vicious cycle completely fed by the unknown. Something actually terrifying is going on, yet it doesn't feel like it is the main focus. Someone dies, and that should be enough, but it seems people only die because it's a good story. But that's the reason Jack the Ripper is so popular - there was never any explanation as to why he was murdering people - just a lot of theories, which became good stories.
This book held a spell over me - up until the end when things slipped too far into the paranormal and further away from reality - that got to be a little much and it didn't really seem fitting with the beginning of the story. However, I still see a purpose in that, especially if we're looking at the way things can spiral out of control until it becomes something unreal.
And of course - how do you not love a book that not only transports you to England - but to both historical and present day London. I really wished I was there following Rory up and down the streets and through the pubs. Even if it's a dangerous place to be in Maureen Johnson's world, I still wish I could have been there and been a part of it. Although, with the way she brings other random Londoners in, who are experiencing this Rippermania, you do end up feeling like you've been pulled into the chaos.
The Name of the Star is definitely worth reading - and I think it's a great demonstration of the literary merit of the paranormal YA genre. Because not only is it a great, interesting story, but it's so expertly written, and it's a not-always-pleasant reflection of our social norms.
