Mister Pip

Beautiful, poetic and thoughtful

I had a hard time deciding whether to give this three or four stars. I decided four because ultimately the book had my complete attention for its 250 pages. That doesn't happen as often as I'd like. I also think the writing is well above average. Jones's writing has some great lines and overall it flows very well. I also really liked the play with Great Expectations. The story itself is touching and shed some light on Bougainville's atrocious early 1990s. It's a great look at barbarism that feels more like it belongs in the preindustrial era but that actually took place right under our noses. However, though the book had my attention and my heart at times, I don't think it said as much as it seemed to say. All the play with story telling and the power of the imagination and the talk about identity don't really amount to much in the end, even though it is fun and interesting to read. I think Jones overused his literary device. There were so many connections being drawn between characters' true histories, their stories, and Great Expectations that it began to feel contrived. In the end, I had to conclude that it was. Fortunately, that doesn't bring the book down too much. It's still a touching, well written, and even important story.

What do you do when a book bursts into your life at precisely the right moment; when it comes to save you from yourself? What do you say when you find characters who shift your perspective on the world and teach you who you are? How do you cope with the tought of never again finding a story quite like this? I reckon, all you can do to show your gratitude, despite knowing it'll never be heard by the ones it's intended towards, is murmur a heartfelt 'thank you', and hope it will suffice