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carolinamoon's review
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
"How could this have happened to her? She had been so careful to follow the rules, to build her life with Kit so meticulously."
"What a beautiful, fucking mess." A truly satisfying critique of class and the idea of perfect coupledom.
This novel was fully engrossing to me. I had to set a timer if i was reading this on a break, otherwise I'd lose track of time. The physical descriptions of anxiety and discomfort in one's body were relatable. The detail with food was enough to make one salivate. I could tell this writer really loves creating food and the presentation of dishes for family and friends. That mixed with the common bullying people experience during childhood from their family over loving food "too much," hence the protagonist's nickname Piglet, shows up in this novel. If someone had some issues with E.D., I would warn them this book might not be a fun read for them.
"What a beautiful, fucking mess." A truly satisfying critique of class and the idea of perfect coupledom.
This novel was fully engrossing to me. I had to set a timer if i was reading this on a break, otherwise I'd lose track of time. The physical descriptions of anxiety and discomfort in one's body were relatable. The detail with food was enough to make one salivate. I could tell this writer really loves creating food and the presentation of dishes for family and friends. That mixed with the common bullying people experience during childhood from their family over loving food "too much," hence the protagonist's nickname Piglet, shows up in this novel. If someone had some issues with E.D., I would warn them this book might not be a fun read for them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Eating disorder
sailorluna's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Eating disorder
maxenporter's review
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
While parts of Piglet were sweet, I can’t help but notice the bad taste this book left in my mouth. Some parts of the book felt egregiously fatphobic. I disagreed with a lot of the sentiment that equates a binge eating disorder with greed and rightful shame. The titular character Piglet is striped of her agency because no one in the story even uses her given name, save for one brief mention at the tail end of the story. Instead, all the characters call her Piglet, a childhood nickname from her parents and a direct reference to her lifelong disordered eating habits. There were also a few stylistic choices with the writing that I found distracting, like Hazell’s use of mid sentence commas rather than using “and,” but to each their own. It was more distracting than it was a major issue. But my biggest issue with this story, dear reader, is that Piglet suffers from being the victim of an idiot plot. Yes, every person in the book makes the worst choices possible at every possible turn, faces no repercussions for their actions, and continues to make bad choices. Everyone in this book is an idiot, and it was infuriating. By the wedding, I was ready to DNF the book, but stuck around for the last 30 pages which attempted to, and failed at, redeeming any of the characters.
I think Lottie Hazell is a great, technically sophisticated writer and I can’t wait to see what she does in the future. I hope her future works continue to develop in breadth and depth, and that she’s able to approach hard topics with more tact in the future.
I think Lottie Hazell is a great, technically sophisticated writer and I can’t wait to see what she does in the future. I hope her future works continue to develop in breadth and depth, and that she’s able to approach hard topics with more tact in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
vanlaw's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a really hard read for me, but overall I did appreciate the story and what it was saying.
Having struggled with overconsumption and binge eating habits as emotional coping mechanisms, it was difficult to see parts of my experience reflected in Piglet. I didn’t want to see my own self-hatred or shame or judgements reflected in a story, even if I wouldn’t have made the same choices as Piglet.
It was also hard to connect with any of the characters. No one was likeable or sympathetic. I wanted to find compassion for Piglet, but there was so much seething anger in her perspective.
Having struggled with overconsumption and binge eating habits as emotional coping mechanisms, it was difficult to see parts of my experience reflected in Piglet. I didn’t want to see my own self-hatred or shame or judgements reflected in a story, even if I wouldn’t have made the same choices as Piglet.
It was also hard to connect with any of the characters. No one was likeable or sympathetic. I wanted to find compassion for Piglet, but there was so much seething anger in her perspective.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
meganmustachebeard's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
It was boring and the MC had no personality.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder
danilebron's review
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i’m torn between 3.75 and 4 so i’ll just round up lol
interesting read, i’m glad it ended the way it did. the way cooking and food were employed here were good vehicles for the ways in which we think about control, our desires, our relationships, and who we make ourselves out to be. piglet gave so much but also took so much through food which was an interesting balance, esp considering what i imagined going into this book. lowkey loved the chaos at the end especially in the way that it was necessary for piglet. i feel like we often get stories of women reinventing themselves, trying to turn away from their lower class upbringings and fit into some fabricated persona and life, so i think this book approaching that through food was a more unique take that made this something worth reading.
interesting read, i’m glad it ended the way it did. the way cooking and food were employed here were good vehicles for the ways in which we think about control, our desires, our relationships, and who we make ourselves out to be. piglet gave so much but also took so much through food which was an interesting balance, esp considering what i imagined going into this book. lowkey loved the chaos at the end especially in the way that it was necessary for piglet. i feel like we often get stories of women reinventing themselves, trying to turn away from their lower class upbringings and fit into some fabricated persona and life, so i think this book approaching that through food was a more unique take that made this something worth reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
holk's review against another edition
challenging
funny
tense
fast-paced
5.0
An absolutely incredible debut book. The foodie in me was hooked from the very beginning. Loved the pacing and the characters. Will definitely read whatever Lottie writes next.
What a wild ride! Now I’m hungry for pasta.
What a wild ride! Now I’m hungry for pasta.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Infidelity
toreadforpleasure's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
rebeccadiv's review
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I really, really enjoyed this book. I ended up reading it in a little over 24 hours and found myself wanting to come back to it after I'd put it down. I felt the tension and the anxiety as the book continued and definitely think this book deserves higher ratings than it has right now!
Unrelated to the content of the book but still important, I found the hardcover to be the perfect size and weight 😂
Unrelated to the content of the book but still important, I found the hardcover to be the perfect size and weight 😂
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Eating disorder, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
Minor: Sexism
coleeflower's review
sad
tense
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Is it too on the nose to say I devoured this book? It could have something to do with it being the first physical book I got to read in a long time, but I was immersed. There were multiple times when Hazell set the scene so well I could feel the tense emotion in the room. And, having experience losing control around food, I felt like that emotional unstoppable train wreck was depicted very well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder