Mister Pip

I was wondering if anyone has read Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones and if so, what you thought of it.

On a related note, what is the general consensus, if any, about Peter Carey's Jack Maggs. I liked it! What about other Dickens spin-offs? I've got Frederick Busch's The Mutual Friend and Palmer's The Highwayman and Mr. Dickens on the shelf and haven't gotten around to either one. Opinions on those or others?

I read Mister Pip last year. Not my favourite book in the world. Some of the writing was excellent but, for me, the story was let down by the later parts of the plot (I won't spoil it for those who are yet to read the book). There were also some episodes of graphic violence that I didn't enjoy much.

There is a 1922 sequel to Our Mutual Friend entitled The Veneerings by Sir Harry Johnston.

I have The Highwayman and Mr. Dickens too and it would be great to hear from someone who's read it.