Customer Reviews

The White Mercedes

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Enough with Romeo and Juliet, enough with 'near-pornography'! The fact that this is a tragedy reminiscent of Shakespeare is used as a contrast of R&J, not a retelling.

Its flaws are of logical plot turns and character, not a misplacement in the young adult genre. It IS a young adult novel, written about a boy and girl more realistic, perhaps, than parents would like their children to read about, but it is far from pornographic (look in your school libraries for Tropic of Cancer and Ulysses if you want something to get angry about). Much is said here about Chapter 6, but what of Chapter 13? Is sex so much worse than an innocent's death? Young people read more graphic things in Cosmo and the Bible.

This novel is about powerlessness and self-doubt in the face of Fate, and in that it succeeds better than most.

Philip Pullman has done it again in this captivating novel about trust, betrayal and love. While His Dark Materials was delightful in an innocent, fantastical sort of way, this book seemed a bit darker, more honest, and truer to our life. None of those things are bad or good; they're just different; and if you're expecting another THE GOLDEN COMPASS, change your expectations or you may be startled. This is an older children's book, more for fans of Chris Crutcher than C.S. Lewis. The characters are like people you meet on the street, not "destiny children" like Lyra and Will. They have dark pasts and modern-day troubles. You will love them and understand them as normal contemporary people.

Pullman's descriptions bring the print of the book to real life. Without ever boring you, he lets you feel Chris's emotions, and Jenny's, and their feelings about their pasts and each other. It's a tragedy book with plentiful references to child abuse, sex and troubled families, which means I wouldn't give it to a ten-year-old who adored HIS DARK MATERIALS, but read it yourself and give it to him in a few years' time, and he'll love it for what it is: a compelling modern masterpiece.

I loved this book! I've never read a book by this author before but now i'm hooked... This book kept me on the edge of my seat, i didn't want to put it down. Anyways , i recommend this book to anyone who loves a good book.

although i must admit this book didn't have quite as much depth as the sally lockart series and his dark materials series, it was still fantastic. this is a very sad book but i really enjoyed it. i read it in one day. i absoulutly love all of philip pullman's books. this book didn't dissapoint me, i highly recommend it to you, i'm sure it won't dissapoint you either.
when chris sees jenny, it is love instantly, although it takes a little for him to get through to her. however jenny is involved in horrible buisness, someone doesn't like her. and he relizes he is a part of it too, but doesn't mind because he is so head of heels in love. but what would you do if you accidently, but positivly betrayed the one you loved? this a fantastic you must read!

It's a good book to read at night in front of a fire. The sex scenes are very detailed. Pullman wrote this differently than his other hits, but that makes it all the more interesting. Romantics would especially like this book. (Warning:Keep out of hands of children!!)

I discovered this book after reading the Golden Compass and its companion. I loved it. It's so sad at the end, though! I was furious with the way it ended but not furious at the book, if you know what I mean. I'm once again impressed at how Philip Pullman can change his style, tone, and genre without sacrificing any of his delicious writing skill. Everything is so believable when he tells it. I didn't put all five stars mostly because it just wasn't my favorite book, but it was well written in all aspects. The only part I didn't understand was the last page, about Jenny's father. I've read it over and over again, and I can't tell if it's sarcasm or not. Enlighten me, someone. My last words? Read this book. It's good.

"The White Mercedes" was a tricky read. I found certain parts wholly realistic and understandable, raised my eyebrows in surprise at others, enjoyed some, and shivered with fear at the end.

Why? Because this is an unpredictable book. Not in terms of plot (though this mystery will keep you guessing until the last pages), but in terms of atmosphere and mood. "The White Mercedes" has so many parts. It has a tale of growing up, a frightening glimpse at the world of gangsters, and at the core, a semi-typical, semi-obsessive love affair between two teens.

The love story is suited for older teens, as many will be able to relate. One slightly graphic scene will discourage younger teens (who will perhaps be less capable of understanding and appreciating many aspects of the book), but older ones will find it pretty much accurate to seventeen year olds.

"His Dark Material" fans be warned: "The White Mercedes" is nothing like Pullman's spectacular trilogy. The settings are completely different, as are the characters and the plot. A very different sort of novel.

On the whole, the story is intriguing, though not amazing. It has some odd holes, but is still a quick, intense read. This is a mystery, a love story, a tragedy, and a thriller all at once. Short, but powerful, it's a good book for a rainy afternoon.

Not the best book ever written, but an interesting read nonetheless.

Fans of Pullman's trilogy should receive a fair warning before moving any further. This is not Lyra's Oxford, this is our Oxford so expect thugs, sex, crime but also love, trust and friendship.
Pullman retells the story of Romeo and Juliet with extreme adroitness. He manages to keep the lyrical beauty and truth of the play and avoids desperate attempts of retaining any elements that would seem dated and out of place in a modern novel.
This is a novel for younger adults but if you feel that your 13+ year olds have never heard about sex, you may need to read it first yourself. The danger is you may get hooked on Pullman seriously.

You should also know that this very moving YA novel is also known by the title: The Butterfly Tattoo. Perhaps it's a British thing, but that's also the title of the forthcoming movie (Pullman's excited about it).

Yes, it's dark. Tragic. But, honestly, as with all the tragedies we've ever read, don't get caught in the plot - get caught in the characters and then see what you think. See if it doesn't help you think twice about your assumptions, your judgments in life. The tragedy is we don't examine our pre-judgments... We're often driven more by events and our rushing to keep up with our biases. An unexamined life is also tragic. We could use a good book like this to spur some worthy self-examination.

This book is spell-binding. I picked it up and finished before bedtime, but now I have trouble sleeping. It teaches young people and adults alike about the real world. I kept hoping for a Hollywood ending, kepting thinking the remaining pages were too few to wrap up those mini-plots. The real thing could not have been any better; more importantly, it could not have been more "true".