Piglet Review
As an avid reader of food-related adventure, fiction and non-fiction, I recently had the pleasure of reading Piglet by Lottie Hazell. It can only be described as a literary adventure, using appetite as the main driver of Piglet's life. Piglet, a cookbook editor in London, seems to live a perfect life, far away from her 'average' family. She seems to have everything anyone could want, with a doting husband and affluent but loving in-laws. Until two weeks before her wedding, when her fiancé tells her about a betrayal that leaves her hungry for a reality that should be authentic to her.
First and foremost, Hazell has a way with food writing. Hazell masters the way she writes about the dishes and cooking process that Piglet is creating and imbibing. Food writing can be quite hard to master, but Hazell seems to have a natural talent, making it easy for her audience to so clearly understand what the food is. She also is a master at using the food to extend Piglet's character and the internal turmoil faced. Hazel has razor-sharp wit and keen observations about modern womanhood and hunger. In Piglet's pursuit of perfection, she loses parts of herself that she is forced to face when her relationship starts to go awry. She is hungry for more, a relationship that isn't built on years of lies, but at the same time, is challenged with admitting defeat to her "perfect" life. Through the food writing and story-telling, Hazell is able to reach a good level of raw honesty and authenticity. Life is messy and unpredictable, and as Piglet's life gets messier, so do her food creations.
"Piglet" is a must-read for any one who enjoys great prose, delicious food-writing and a tension-building story. Fans of Anthony Bourdain and J. Ryan Stradel will love this. I appreciated reading this book and look forward to more from Lottie Hazell, hopefully soon.
We've reviewed a couple other fiction books, particularly focusing on food writing and simple living. Check them out!
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