'Aksai Black Pied, American Yorkshire, Angeln Saddleback...'
Pigs are Valentina's safe place. When she's feeling overwhelmed, she lists the breeds until her mind becomes quiet again.
Vale struggles to live life without order. Every morning, she reads the note that her flatmate Clara has pinned on the fridge telling her what to wear and what to eat, before leaving for her job at a bookshop.
Sometimes Vale's colleagues invite her to drinks, but she never goes. She knows that Clara wouldn't be happy if Vale socialised with others. As Clara's told her plenty of times - who else would put up with her weird pig facts?
But a chance encounter at the bookshop leads to an exciting opportunity. As Vale steps into the world of other people, Clara tightens her grip: she isn't yet ready to let go of her favourite prey.
Pig is one of those books that's very difficult to review. Not because the book isn't brilliant; it is. And not because it's a difficult read; it is, in spots, but that's because it's so well done that the subject matter becomes uncomfortable. The subject matter - an abusive relationship - is so well drawn that I had to keep putting the book down and coming back to it. But I did keep coming back; I badly wanted to know what would happen to Vale in the end.
Domestic abuse is a tricky subject and sensitive for many, but Vale is never treated like a victim. Clara's gradual abuse is shown for exactly what it is, and Vale's friends are clearly doing their best to help. I'm finding it very difficult to say much about this as I don't want to give away the twists!
This isn't an easy read, and I did have to put it down and come back to it a few times, but it's really worth it. Give it a try.
Book Recommendation: If you were drawn to Vale’s quiet strength and the slow, careful journey toward reclaiming her life, you might enjoy Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. Eleanor’s story also explores the challenges of living with past trauma and finding unexpected hope in human connection.
TV/Movie Recommendation: For a more intense but thematically resonant watch, Room (2015) directed by Lenny Abrahamson captures the psychological toll of captivity and control, and the fierce determination it takes to survive and begin again.
Pig publishes on the 1st of May, 2025. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
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