Jumper

By: Steven Gould

Narrated by: Ted Barker

Length: 6 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's Summary

Griffin has a secret. It's a secret that he's sworn to his parents to keep and never tell. Griffin is a Jumper: a person who can teleport to any place he has ever been. The first time was when he was four, and his parents crossed an ocean to protect the secret. The most important time was when he was nine. That was the day that the men came to his house and murdered his parents. Griffin knows that the men were looking for him, and he must never let them find him.

Griffin grows up with only two goals: to survive, and to kill the people who want him dead. And a jumper bent on revenge is not going to let anything stand in his way.

Jumper is a major motion picture released by 20th Century Fox in February 2008.

©2007 Steven C. Gould (P)2008 Macmillan Audio

Critic Reviews

"This is a book that you won't want to miss. It reminded me of why I first came to love science fiction, and yet I didn't have to be 12 again to have a great time reading it." (Orson Scott Card)

Definitely NOT for kids

This title is apparently part of the "Audible Childrens Library." Whoever decided to put it there made a huge mistake. This book is full of explicit language, sex, and violence. If books were rated like movies, it would definitely get an "R."

It also is not the same story as the movie. I understand (from reading at Wikipedia) that the movie was very loosely based on an earlier book.

Those things being said, this was a very enjoyable story to listen to. It is one of the better books I've heard in a while. Just don't share it with your kids.

12 of 13 people found this review helpful

Does not follow the jumper universe.

Where does Jumper rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Griffin's story is great as a stand-alone book. I first read Jumper in paperback about 20 years ago, but listened to it on Audible after it came out. I picked up Griffin's Story when the movie came out and was surprised by the abandonment of the Jumper Universe. If there's a flaw in Griffin Story, it's in Steven's adapting his Jumper universe to match the movie (Jumper). This novel is not consistant in many details with the universe that appeared in Jumper and Reflex, both excellent books.

Would you recommend Jumper to your friends? Why or why not?

I recommend this book as a stand-alone novel to anyone who hasn't read Jumper.

What about Ted Barker’s performance did you like?

Good delivery, good voice, no complaints.

Any additional comments?

Definitely worth a credit.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Gr8 Story,But what MORON put this in Audible Kids

This is not a kids story. With Parents and others having their throats slashed in front of their children, blood pooling over the floor and down drains, this book was not something that anyone under latter teenage years needs to read. Certainly not under 14 or 15.

The classification of "Audible Kids" should mean that it is suitable for "kids" not older teen readers.

This is definitely a reminder to us as parents to not just take some company's classification of something before handing off to our kids.

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

Jump On This One!

I've downloaded numerous books since joining audible.com, but I don't think I've enjoyed another book as well as I've enjoyed this one. I almost exclusively listen to audiobooks in my car (as a criminal defense attorney practicing in multiple counties, I spend a lot of time on the road). I was repeatedly tempted to take this one into the house or office with me. I found myself looking for ways to get stuck in traffic; if a traffic signal looked like it MIGHT turn yellow, I slowed down.

On rare occasions, I did find myself thinking, "Okay...on with it, already" where I felt the story occasionally bogged down. This was rare.

One disappointment is that I really wanted to have more of my "why" and "how" questions answered.

For those who have seen the movie, it is my understanding that the movie and book are different. I haven't seen the movie, but asked someone how it handled his childhood (because it was my understanding the movie has him as an adult). I was told the movie dispensed with his youth in the first 15 minutes or so. The book, on the other hand, ends when he's around 16 years old, as I recall.

And I will say the ending left me somewhat dissatisfied, but I won't say why, so as not to spoil the story for anyone. I still give the book 5 stars and probably will listen to it again sometime soon.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

It's NOT the movie

I thought this was a wonderful book. The story of a child forced to grow up too fast because of his special ability. Don't get this audiobook if you are looking for a re-telling of the story from the movie. It doesn't even parallel the movie. It is its own story, standing alone, but equally riveting.

14 of 17 people found this review helpful

More! More!

The movie appears to be based on an earlier book in the same series-- I am looking forward to some of those books popping up on Audible.

The reader is flawless-- every voice is unique, and every sentence is rendered like it was felt.

The story is equally excellent. The characters are believable, the story is compelling, and the suspension of belief is effortless.

Eagerly awaiting the other books, to the point that I might get them in print, which I never have time for anymore.

Normally "Five Stars" means "they didn't have 4 1/2." This time it's really five stars.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Don't Let Movie Fool You

I was disappointed in character development in the movie and was prepared for mild disappointment here. Not so. You'll feel the child's pain and the anger as he ages. You'll be wanting more when it's over - the best way to end a good book.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Much to short

Seems like Gould just stopped writing the story just ceased. I needed some idea of why all that happened.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A prequel worth it's weight

It's nice to visit the jumper world again. I love the depth this story brings. It really brings a more roundness to the storyline. The narration is also great for the story. A good overall experience if you like the jumpers.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Not for kids

If you have seen the movie, you will want to read (listen to) Griffin's Story which begins to answer questions raised by the film. This prequil describes very enjoyably how Griffin became a loner, a hunter. It is full of emotional moments as Griff learns to use caution and his "gift". This story is, however, inappropriate for kids. Audible has it as 8th grade or higher. I would suggest age 16 or higher. The book contains language and subject matter out side that which should be considered by those of a lesser age.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful