Mister Pip

Popeye

"Everyone called him Popeye." Thus begins Mister Pip, an eloquently written story about how profoundly literature can influence lives. As Popeye evolves into Mr. Pip, the personalities and character traits of the islanders also emerge. Mother and daughter, war and resistance, husband and wife, civilization and nature, life and death, black and white, nurturance and abandonment - these are dichotomies around which this novel plays out. Mister Pip is narrated by a young woman looking back upon her teen years on a remote Pacific island, who begins to come of age under the tutelage of the substitute school master. His true name is Mr. Watts, and he is the only white person on the island, having married one of its inhabitants. Every day, he reads part of Great Expectations to his mixed-age pupils, and the world opens up to each of them in a different way.

Dramatic, evocative, and filled with hope, sorrow, and a touch of mystery, Mister Pip has deservedly won numerous literary prizes. This is an important book with a timeless, unforgettable message.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Beautifully written story

"This book was shortlisted for the 2007 Man Booker Prize. Excellent novel, beautifully written. The story is narrated through the eyes of a 13-year-old girl, Matilda. After a war breaks out, driving away the real teachers on island, Mr. Watts, the only white resident left, begins classes for the children by reading from the Dicken's novel, Great Expectations. Matilda's telling of her story of living through the violence of the war brings out the culture of the island and the special stories of its people. There's humor and there's deep sadness. I couldn't put the book down once I got halfway through it, and I highly recommend it. "

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I felt as if i were there!

Mister pip was a very interesting story. Lloyd Jones did a great job of going into detail about the killings of the people. I felt as if i were there seeing it happen. Some parts of the story really got my attention and some parts didnt interest me at all. But overall the story was a touching and yet gruesome story.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Tyler Morton

Lloyd Jone brought a spectacular relm of suspense throughout the book. It was a book about passion, reality and a fight for survival to keep what is most important in life. While I read the book, each paragraph took back to a person, place or thing in my life. It made appreiciate what I had, and for that I am tankful. Mr.Pip is a truly a book of reality fiction that will give someone a different perspective on life.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

Mister Pip is a deceptively simple tale which celebrates the power of storytelling - the book is heartbreaking and beautiful because of its insights into human nature and the human spirit. I heard the author read an excerpt from 'Mister Pip' at a literary festival in Jamaica 'Calabash' and although 'Great Expectations' was never a favourite of mine (blasphemy I know), I was intigued by the author's use of it in what appeared to be a charming, if improbable, story. The book stayed with me and I was prompted to buy it after circling it for a month at my local bookstore - I wasn't dissapointed. Operating primarily as allegory, the story also suceeds as a uniquley personal tale. Jones invites readers into a very intimate world and has the patience to let his story unfold in such away as to make the incredible story of his characters and their forgotton island accessible and real to his readers. 'Mister Pip' is not a fairy tale. It doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of war, or the general vagaries of life. But Jone's treatment of these issues, however, is deft and refreshing - lacking in either cyncism or sensationalism, which just adds to the books credibility and makes it all the more enjoyable. To put it simply, I loved it!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Not really a 'feel good' book, but educational about the world

I am glad I read this book because it talks about New Guinea, a country I knew almost next to nothing about, but since it is about war and poverty there, it's not exactly 'fun' to read. The teacher is a great character, and it is just about life.
I would recommend to someone who is interested in broadening their world view, Don't pick it up if you want to laugh or be lightly entertained.

The wonderful new novel- Mr. Pip

This is one of the most unusual and brilliant novels I have ever read.
I was engaged from the first page when the young narrator talks
about Popeye. The characters are so unique and we care so much about
all the island people.
The writing style is beautiful and really draws you in as if you
are there on the island.
I love the idea of the great,important impact that literature
has on our lives and the impact it had on our young narrator.
I recommend this novel to everyone I know.

A good read!

Interesting story line. Worth reading!

I felt like I was there watching

I enjoyed Lloyd Jones writing style. I felt like I was on that island though I've never been in that part of the world. The events felt real. The characters felt real. I liked how it was tied in with Great Expectation. I never read the book though I know the title of course. I learned much about the book and comparison througout this book.

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