The
White Mercedes
Review
by : Li
Rapkin
Written
by : Philip
Pullman
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Perception
is reality, and everyone's perceptions are different. Is it
possible to discern the "real" truth by sifting through a
collection of perceptions? Sometimes…sort of. Characters build
their own personal mythologies, both about themselves and
each other. And when the harsh light of day shines through,
it don't expect to see a pretty picture. Unfortunately for
the characters, the most obvious manifestations of objective
truth are the betrayals-- large and small, intentional or
not-- that emerge through the story. If this book were a movie,
the audience would be shouting advice to the characters on
screen.
The
White Mercedes precedes Pullman's better known Dark Materials
series, (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife,
and The Amber Spyglass) but we see many of the same
themes. Pullman enjoys examining the nature of reality in
a completely different way than the most literature geared
to younger readers. We don't have to go to another planet,
time, or dimension to see a different world…we just go to
another character's point of view. The theme of betrayal,
especially unintentional betrayal, appears in a lot of Pullman's
work, but in The White Mercedes, it is the story's
mainstay. Interwoven with the theme of betrayal is the nature
of relationships between children or "young adults" and "actual"
adults. This is a topic that's easily put center stage, or
used for simple shock value. Pullman's puts it in a subtle,
supporting role, where what isn't said is almost worse than
what is.
Like most
of Philip Pullman's work, The White Mercedes is usually
classified as "young adult" literature. Bullshit, I say. I'm
twice the age of the target audience, and the prose didn't
just catch my attention, it held my attention hostage for
the duration. Sure, the book is short, and the language isn't
terribly complex, but that allows the story to some through
loud and clear, as well as making it easy to read the entire
book in one sitting. The message is harsh, and while I've
never been a fan of happy endings, this one is real kick in
the ass, right down to the very last line. If you like O.
Henry's short stories, give this a try…and if you don't know
who O. Henry is, get thee to a library.
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