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A review by savvylit
Pig Tales: A Novel of Lust and Transformation by Marie Darrieussecq
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
1.0
This short novel is an easy read. The whole book is just one 145-page paragraph. Darrieussecq's narrator is straightforward and just self-conscious enough to be believable.
In many ways, this book utilized magical realism to make some poignant conclusions about human nature and politics. However, I couldn't look past all of the incredibly racist and xenophobic asides about Muslims and Africans. These asides were so offhanded that it felt less like the narrator's thoughts and more like the author highlighting & reinforcing stereotypes that she actually believes in herself. For instance, the narrator implies numerous times that an African client is more depraved than her other clients. With this and many other similar implications, Darrieussecq upholds an incredibly colonial and racist worldview.
I stumbled upon this novel because I had heard it was similar to Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder. If you've heard the same thing, I'd pass on this book. You're not missing much.
In many ways, this book utilized magical realism to make some poignant conclusions about human nature and politics. However, I couldn't look past all of the incredibly racist and xenophobic asides about Muslims and Africans. These asides were so offhanded that it felt less like the narrator's thoughts and more like the author highlighting & reinforcing stereotypes that she actually believes in herself. For instance, the narrator implies numerous times that an African client is more depraved than her other clients. With this and many other similar implications, Darrieussecq upholds an incredibly colonial and racist worldview.
I stumbled upon this novel because I had heard it was similar to Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder. If you've heard the same thing, I'd pass on this book. You're not missing much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Classism