Who Would Like This Book:
Mister Pip is a beautifully written coming-of-age story set against the harrowing backdrop of the Bougainville civil war. Through the eyes of young Matilda, the novel explores the transformative power of storytelling, as a tattered copy of Great Expectations offers hope and escape. It's a poignant mix of history, culture, and the magic of literature, perfect for anyone who loves books-about-books, nuanced explorations of resilience, and tales that blend tragedy with human connection. Dickens fans, bookworms, and readers curious about underrepresented corners of history will be especially captivated.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Though many are swept up by its charm and lyricism, Mister Pip isn't for everyone. Some readers felt the novel teetered into 'white savior' territory or found the narrative voice unconvincing. Others were jarred by the sudden turn from a gentle, dreamy tone to graphic violence or felt the ending was rushed or disconnected. Those seeking a straightforward plot or who dislike novels with heavy literary references may not find it satisfying.
About:
Set during a civil war on a remote island in the Pacific, 'Mister Pip' follows the story of Matilda, a young girl who finds solace and escape in the pages of Charles Dickens' 'Great Expectations'. The novel explores the impact of literature, particularly the character of Pip, on Matilda and her community as they navigate the horrors of war and the complexities of life on the island. Through the eyes of Matilda, the book delves into themes of education, imagination, and the power of storytelling in the face of adversity.
Lloyd Jones' writing style in 'Mister Pip' captures the innocence and perspective of a child amidst challenging circumstances, transitioning between the simplistic viewpoint of Matilda and the broader reflections of an adult looking back on the events. The narrative weaves together elements of hope, tragedy, and coming-of-age, offering a poignant portrayal of resilience and the transformative nature of literature in a war-torn setting.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book contains themes of violence, war atrocities, and emotional trauma which may be triggering for some readers.
From The Publisher:
In a novel that is at once intense, beautiful, and fablelike, Lloyd Jones weaves a transcendent story that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the power of narrative to transform our lives.
On a copper-rich tropical island shattered by war, where the teachers have fled with most everyone else, only one white man chooses to stay behind: the eccentric Mr. Watts, object of much curiosity and scorn, who sweeps out the ruined schoolhouse and begins to read to the children each day from Charles Dickens's classic Great Expectations.
So begins this rare, original story about the abiding strength that imagination, once ignited, can provide. As artillery echoes in the mountains, thirteen-year-old Matilda and her peers are riveted by the adventures of a young orphan named Pip in a city called London, a city whose contours soon become more real than their own blighted landscape. As Mr. Watts says, "A person entranced by a book simply forgets to breathe." Soon come the rest of the villagers, initially threatened, finally inspired to share tales of their own that bring alive the rich mythology of their past. But in a ravaged place where even children are forced to live by their wits and daily survival is the only objective, imagination can be a dangerous thing.
Ratings (3)
Loved It (1) | |
It Was OK (2) |
Reader Stats (4):
Read It (2) | |
Want To Read (1) | |
Did Not Finish (1) |
What can you read after
Mister Pip?
About the Author:
Lloyd Jones was born in New Zealand in 1955. His previous novels and collections of stories include the award-winning The Book of Fame, Biografi, a New York Times Notable Book, Choo Woo, Here at the End of the World We…
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