The Pig Did It by Joseph Caldwell
Narrator: Chris Patton
Read: Review copy from the publisher via LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.
Finished: 6/19/11
Rating: 4 out of 10
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Pages: 195 (print version)
Published: 2007
Synopsis (from Publisher’s Weekly): Unhappy in love, New York creative writing instructor Aaron McCloud arrives in Ireland. Aaron stays with his aunt Kitty, who makes a living rewriting the classics , but Aaron’s wallow in self-pity is interrupted by a lost pig that attaches itself to him. When the pig digs up a human skeleton buried in the backyard…the stage is set for an Irish country comedy of manners in which darts, pints, pigs and burial plots all play a part. Caldwell’s shaggy pig story, the first of a projected trilogy, puts farcical doings into lilting language and provides a payoff that is as unexpected as it is satisfying.
Overall Impression: Oi (oink?). This was not my cup of tea. Others seem to have really liked it, though, so you may too.
By the synopsis, I thought I’d really enjoy it. But not so much. I feel like perhaps it was a bit of a satire/farce of traditional Irish blarney stories, if there are such a thing…I wouldn’t know because I haven’t read any. There were far too many of melodramatic soliloquies and a lot of blaming each other and themselves for the murder of the guy dug up in the yard. No one spoke like a real person. In fact, I didn’t really like any of the characters—they were all so self-absorbed.As for the plot, it kind of felt like a play, more than anything. But not really a play I’d like to see.
There were, however, parts of Caldwell’s writing that were really beautiful. Stunning, even. I wanted them to be inserted into a different story.
Then the ending happened and I was all, “Wha huh? Did that just really happen?” Elements of the absurd, to be sure.
Narration: Chris Patton wasn’t my favorite, but I think it had to do with the story more than anything. His melodramatic narration just enhanced the melodramaticism (yeah, I can make up words with the best of them) that was already driving me a bit mad.
Positives: It’s clear that Caldwell has a talent for writing, especially in beautiful metaphors.
Negatives: Unlikable characters, crazy monologues, a completely unrealistic ending.
Other books I’ve read by Joseph Caldwell: none
Other blogger opinions:
Regular Guy: “The book received many notable reviews from what I have found online, but I found it tedious, rambling and far too reliant on a tired Irish stereotype.”
Dear Author: “It’s a slow, gentle, stately send up of Irish mist and mysticism at a pace which never hurries or rushes along.”
Blogging for a Good Book: “The pleasure of the story doesn’t lie so much in the plot (fun as it is) as in the rich and descriptive language Caldwell’s Irish characters use.”
Legal gobbledygook: I received this book free from LibraryThing as part of their Early Reviewers program. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Enjoyed reading your review, Cori! From the synopsis the book looks really interesting. Sorry to know you didn’t like it much. I loved your comment – “There were, however, parts of Caldwell’s writing that were really beautiful. Stunning, even. I wanted them to be inserted into a different story.” Maybe I will give this book a try.
I thought the title was intriguing. I ditto what Vishy said about your comment. I’ll have to hear an excerpt to see if I’d want to listen to it or not. Thanks for the interesting review.