There are some books which do not need a review. They are just brilliant in itself. Mister God, This is Anna is one such book. A book that will make you laugh, cry and make you think, rather rethink, all that you think! As Vernon Sproxton in the introduction to the book calls it an Ah!Book. As per him Ah!books are those which induce a fundamental change in the reader’s consciousness.
The book is Anna’s story. Anna was only four when Fynn (Sydney Hopkins’ pseudonym), the author, who himself was just 16 years old found her wandering the streets of London’s docklands. Anna who had been neglected and abandoned by her parents readily agrees when Fynn offers to take her to his home. From then starts a journey of friendship, love, life!
The impact of this extraordinary child on Fynn’s family and his neighbourhood friends was to be immense. Nobody who met Anna could remain the same: this intelligent, lively, precocious little chatterbox would completely disarm adult preconceptions with her innocent world view. Her outpourings on life, mathematics, science and her mentor, Mister God will leave you spellbound, making you sit back and wonder at her genius.
Anna proves to be extraordinarily wise at her age. Some pearls of wisdom from the little girl will surely move you. Here are just a few
‘You see, everybody has got a point of view, but Mister God hasn’t. Mister God has only points to view. . .viewing points
‘Mister God can know things and people from the inside, too. We only know them from the outside . . . So you see, Fynn, people can’t talk about Mister God from the outside; you can only talk about Mister God from the inside of him.‘ “
“. . . [P]eople can only love outside and can only kiss outside, but Mister God can love you right inside, and Mister God can kiss you right inside, so it’s different. Mister God ain’t like us; we are a little bit like Mister God, but not much yet.”
This 30th Anniversary edition brings together Mister God, This is Anna and Anna and the Black Knight for the first time. The book has been translated in more than 30 languages! Such is the story of Anna. It is a story which will move you, touch your heart and show you the world as you have never seen before.
A book which should be read by one and all. Rather should be compulsory reading for everyone.
Highly recommended read. If you haven’t read the book already please go grab your copy right away and let Anna take you into a beautiful journey called Life!
This beautiful book really reshaped my identity when I was growing up and inspired me to turn to words as a way of creativity and expression. I still own my original copy, though very creased and tattered, but I love it!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! a gem of a book. Couldn't agree with you more Robin!
ReplyDeleteI read this book in Dutch, because the English slang was too much for me to handle. I'd still want to read it in English some time. This book is just such a marvel.. and the depiction of that girl, that girl that really lived... wow!
ReplyDeleteI'm still waiting for my friend to return this book (first edition) which is hard to find and asking if Mister God would maybe talk to her to give me back the book.....This book and the Little Prince are my top favourite...
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