Scan barcode
A review by claudiaslibrarycard
Pet by Catherine Chidgey
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Pet by Catherine Chidgey blew me away. This strange little novel is set in New Zealand in 1984 and 2014. Justine is 12 years old in 1984 and like almost every kid in her class, she's fixated on their new, beautiful teacher Mrs. Price. All of the students vie to be the teacher's pet, both for the attention and the benefits that go with it. But the plot begins when things start to go missing and it becomes clear there is a thief in the class.
This story focuses on themes of young friendship, trust, obsession, and alludes to the power of the patriarchy, Catholicism, and race in New Zealand some forty years ago. Chidgey's writing is absolutely dexterous as she writes from the perspective of a twelve year old and presents an entirely adult novel that gripped me from beginning to end.
Throughout reading, I kept thinking Pet was giving me everything I wanted but didn't get from The Van Apfel Girls are Gone. Truly this is weird, unsettling book and if you like a genre bender, put it at the top of your list!
This story focuses on themes of young friendship, trust, obsession, and alludes to the power of the patriarchy, Catholicism, and race in New Zealand some forty years ago. Chidgey's writing is absolutely dexterous as she writes from the perspective of a twelve year old and presents an entirely adult novel that gripped me from beginning to end.
Throughout reading, I kept thinking Pet was giving me everything I wanted but didn't get from The Van Apfel Girls are Gone. Truly this is weird, unsettling book and if you like a genre bender, put it at the top of your list!