The White Mercedes

by Philip Pullman

Book Overview

A chance meeting with Jenny at an Oxford party leaves seventeen-year-old Chris with hope for a summer romance--and no premonition of trouble. Busy with his job and soon in love with Jenny, whose cheerful surface belies the dark uncertainty of her past, Chris misses all the signs of danger. Before he knows it, he's caught in the sinister web of a criminal whose desire for revenge crushes all those who stand in his way.

"The story line will hook readers and hold them . . . a pageturner that raises some unsettling questions about trust and betrayal and the nature of good and evil."--School Library Journal

"An engrossing, tragic story with rare depth of feeling. . . . Readers won't be able to turn the pages fast enough."--Kirkus Reviews

"Fans of Robert Cormier should appreciate this tense thriller."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679886230
• ISBN13: 9780679886235
• Release Date: July 1997
• Publisher: Random House Children's Books
• Length: 178 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 4.1" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

Another Pullman and Another Oxford but Worth Reading Still

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.

AKA The Butterfly Tattoo

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.

AKA The White Mercedes

You should know that this YA novel is also known by another title: The White Mercedes. Perhaps it's a matter of British marketing. However, a film is being prepared (with Pullman's enthusiasm) under this title. Yes, it's dark. Tragic. As with all the great tragedies we've read: Don't get caught in the plot - get caught in the characters and then see what you think.

so utterly fantastic

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!

UNFORGETTABLE!

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.