Pig Tale

by Verlyn Flieger

Near the village of Little Wicken, a baby girl is found abandoned in a field. Unwanted and unloved, the foundling grows up, existing on the grudging charity of the villagers. It is only when they... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 078680792X
• ISBN13: 9780786807925
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: Hyperion Books
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.5"
• Age Range: 1 year and up
• Grade Range: Preschool and higher

Customer Reviews

Hauntingly Dark and Beautiful

This book was not quite what I was expecting when I found it in the young adults section. It's certainly more graphic than I would have expected, but not inappropriately so. There were a few rather distracting editing mistakes, but Flieger's brilliant weaving of mythology, various concepts from her Tolkien scholarship, and original content more than make up for it. Her story is haunting and leaves a lot to think about. Although this novel is meant for young adult readers, I think it may be more fully appreciated by more mature readers with a full understanding of mythology. Flieger's style of slipping into telling over showing, at times, fits into her over-arching mythological structure and provides the proper balance between Mokie as a loveable character and Mokie as a mythological figure.

An Amazing, Sophisticated Tale

"It's already too late. . . We can't stop it; it's out of our control, as it always has been. Even if we could break the pattern it would re-form, find a new way to fit into the old shape." ~SkimmerBefore she is even born and left naked in the storm in Farrow Field, the pattern has begun. Found and fostered by the vile pig farmer, Grime, she is called Mokie, "pig girl," and is set to herdng the pigs. Reviled by the village folk and taunted by the children, Mokie is treated little better than an animal. She learns to mistrust humans, and funnels all her love to her pet pig, Apple. When Mokie is brutally raped by Grimes' son, she and Apple escape to the forest where the Crystal Folk are said to live. There, she is taken in by a magical trio, who include her in their gypsy tumbling act. It is just as Mokie is learning to trust and love, however, that the pattern reestablishes itself, and she must face the villagers one final time. For it has always been too late; they are part of the pattern, threads in the weave.Verlyn Flieger's first novel skillfully weaves medieval lore, Celtic mythology, and human psychology. It is a complex tapestry lush with imagery, invoking themes of hatred, love, spirituality, death, and rebirth. Beautiful, haunting, and heartbreaking, Pig Tale can be read on many levels. It is a richly satisfying novel, especially for the more mature, sophisticated young adult reader.

a wonderful read

Verlyn Flieger's fiction debut makes for a wonderful and moving read. The character of Mokie, the castoff child who is taken in by a band of mysterious gypsies, is beautifully drawn, and Mokie's story is consistently engaging. Flieger's knowlegde of mythology (the jacket sleeve says she is a professor of comparative mythology) stands her in good stead, particularly when she is dealing with the gypsies themselves, who seem somehow to be both real and not of this world. I would also like to take exception to a previous reviewer's criticism of the book's rape scene. It is the obligation of good fiction to render the world it encompasses as clearly and honestly as possible. What happens to Mokie is terrible, yes, but such things do happen, and Flieger handles the scene with grace and sensitivity, particulary in describing Mokie's reactions during and after the trauma. The episode is in no way gratuitous, but allows the reader even greater insight into the heroine and her world. Again, this is a fine, fine book -- I look forward to seeing what this author does next.

Wonderful Book - More just like it, please

Pig Tale is one of the finest and most enjoyable books I've read for many months. The characters are finely drawn and soon become warm friends; the mythic themes so deftly and unobtrusively woven throughout obviously reflect the author's extensive knowledge in the field; the plotting is deft and holds you like the most gripping of mysteries. But it is the writing that is so superb, so compelling. The writing is lyrical and delightful, mesmerizing, drawing you in so deeply that at the end your impulse is to return to the first page and start again. Pig Tale is a wonderful book for people of all ages. I only hope that there is a sequel forthcoming soon, very soon.

Compelling but heartbreaking.

Powerfully spun tale, both compelling and unflinching in its portrayal of 'scapegoating.' The tale builds around the cruel abuse and treatment of Mokie, a young girl abandoned at birth. While beautifully written, each chapter compounds the injustices served on this likeable protagonist. The reader never enjoys a sense of equality for Mokie -- justice is never served -- hardships are not incurred for those who make her life so miserable. Tightly written with intriguing characterizations in an original voice, this novel is hard to put down, and even harder to forget. Vivid and graphically described assaults make this a book unsuitable for sensitive readers.