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A review by jola_g
The Peppermint Pig by Nina Bawden
2.0
Could you possibly have guessed that this book with such a hyper-cute cover has the most inexplicably cruel ending I've ever seen in children's literature?
If 'The Peppermint Pig' (1975) by Nina Bawden was a book for adults, I would have rated it much higher. I am impressed by its nostalgic beauty and the way it evokes memories from the summers spent in the countryside, which I was fortunate enough to experience myself as a little girl. Friendships with farm animals included. I loved the way Nina Bawden captures the magic moments of everyday family life. I highly enjoyed her writing style also. 'The Peppermint Pig' is definitely a children’s book, though. That's why I can see a few complications here.
Please, note that the problem might lie mostly within me, not within the book, as Nina Bawden touches – punches would be a more appropriate word here, actually - exactly the areas I am oversensitive about. One of the reviewers called this novel comforting so I might be exaggerating. It's up to you to decide.
John Singer Sargent, 'Village Children', 1890. [Image source]
When I read the first sentence of the novel : 'Old granny Greengrass had her finger chopped off in the butcher’s when she was buying half a leg of lamb.' – by the way, one of the most astonishing openings ever – a little red light in my mind started beeping shyly, but I ignored it, thinking that I’m aggrandizing it and that it’s just the author’s harsh sense of humour. Besides, my own grandmother almost chopped off her finger herself once - everything ended well, fortunately - so I really could relate to this story. The anecdote is repeated a few times throughout the novel.
If I’m overreacting, please correct me, but given the fact, that the ideal audience of 'The Peppermint Pig' are - I would estimate - 9-12 year olds, I found the following excerpts pretty disturbing:
'Poll said, ‘What do you mean about biting off puppies’ tails?’
‘That’s what the groom at the Manor House used to do. My mother was cook there, you know. I’ve seen that groom pick up a new litter one after the other, bite off the tail at the joint and spit it out, quick as a flash. The kindest way, he always said, no fuss and tarradiddle, and barely a squeak from the pup.’
'She hit him in the stomach, he grunted and fell and she fell on top of him. He tried to get up but she grabbed his hair with both hands and thumped his head up and down.
She couldn’t move but Noah’s laughing face was above her so she spat into it as hard as she could and said, ‘Damn you, you rotten bug, damn and blast you to hell…’
'She made a best friend called Annie Dowsett who was older than she was and who told her how babies were born. ‘The butcher comes and cuts you up the stomach with his carving knife,’ Annie said.'
'Theo was wild with rage and that gave him the advantage. He broke loose and punched Noah in the throat, a murderous blow that made Noah gurgle and gasp. Theo hit him again, in the stomach, and Noah doubled over and fell. Theo kicked him as he lay crumpled against one of the tombstones. Poll saw Theo’s face, pale and exultant and terrible, and shouted, ‘Stop, oh stop, Theo,’ but although he turned his head briefly towards her he took no notice of her anguished cry. He flung himself on top of Noah and fastened his hands round his neck…'
Pierre Auguste Renoir, 'Jean and Genevieve Caillebotte', 1895. [Image source]
Well, I know it’s almost nothing compared to the computer games some kids play every day but these scenes made me feel uneasy, especially when I realized the age of the readers this book was intended for. I’m fully aware of the fact that children do fight and that both Pol and Theo had the right to feel angry, having been bullied by nasty Noah, but in this novel aggression seems to be an instinctive and effective way to solve conflicts.
In my opinion there is quite a mess as far as the idea behind the text is concerned. I think children at the age of 9-12 definitely need a more clear distinction between good and bad, right and wrong, than the one provided by Nina Bawden. The author’s message is not clear to me at all, so I wonder what children would make of it.
I assume one of Bawden’s intentions was to discourage children from telling lies and hiding the truth. As aunt Sarah used to say 'what a tangled web we weave when once we practise to deceive…' Apparently, I think the author got tangled in this sticky web herself: both parents in this novel deceived in a way too. Speaking of parents, the explanation of father’s decision, which changed the lives of the whole family and affected their economic status dramatically, sounds a bit absurd to me.
I’m really trying hard to understand why the author decided to end the story in such a cruel way. Maybe the novel was based on real memories, which is quite possible as the book was dedicated to her grandmother, and she wanted to be accurate at all costs?
The ending of 'The Peppermint Pig' felt as if the author slapped me in the face. Literally.
I don't expect good endings at any price but the awfulness of Nina Bawden’s version lies not only in what happened but also in the hidden message behind it: basically, you can’t really trust the adults you love. In my opinion nothing can excuse mother and aunts' decision, albeit the author tries hard, emphasizing its financial aspect.
Ferdinand Puigaudeau, 'Chinese Shadows, The Rabbit', 1895. [Image source]
I did my best to figure out what this ending is supposed to teach children and the only answer I have is 'don’t trust the people you love as they might do something traumatic to you, behind your back'. Would you like to learn something like that at the age of ten?
I felt astounded when I found out that 'The Peppermint Pig' was written in 1975. I thought it was a book from the beginning of the twentieth century. The lack of author’s empathy would be easier to swallow then. I understand that ‘The Peppermint Pig’ portrays the past, the end of 19th century to be exact, when the model of parenting, the role of children in family and mentality were quite different but do you think it’s rational to expect a historiosophical distance from a ten year old?
The thing, that shocked me most, was the lack of respect for child’s feelings, demonstrated especially by one of the aunts who was a teacher (!), a headmistress to be exact. The thing she does to explain the reason of the tragedy to Pol is horrifying and no wonder the girl faints as a result.
I really don’t want my musings on ‘The Peppermint Pig’ to sound like a gloomy and definite verdict discouraging you from reading this novel. As I’ve already said, there were things masterly done in it. For example the wistful atmosphere, the bitterish sense of humour and psychological portrayals of the family, especially the kids.
I wonder what my reaction to this novel would be if I read it as a child. I was notorious at our school library for having read all books about animals available there, so I would have probably got hold of it sooner or later, but it hadn't been translated into Polish. Frankly speaking, I don't regret it. Brothers Grimm's version of 'Cinderella' with cut toes, bleeding afterwards, made me slightly sick, so granny's finger might have been the final straw.
I wholeheartedly agree with those who believe that you must write for children the same way you write for adults, only better. To my mind, beside of literary high quality, though, empathy and respect for young reader’s emotions and sensitivity are essential.
Hans Thoma, 'Kinderreigen', 1872. [Image source]
If 'The Peppermint Pig' (1975) by Nina Bawden was a book for adults, I would have rated it much higher. I am impressed by its nostalgic beauty and the way it evokes memories from the summers spent in the countryside, which I was fortunate enough to experience myself as a little girl. Friendships with farm animals included. I loved the way Nina Bawden captures the magic moments of everyday family life. I highly enjoyed her writing style also. 'The Peppermint Pig' is definitely a children’s book, though. That's why I can see a few complications here.
Please, note that the problem might lie mostly within me, not within the book, as Nina Bawden touches – punches would be a more appropriate word here, actually - exactly the areas I am oversensitive about. One of the reviewers called this novel comforting so I might be exaggerating. It's up to you to decide.
John Singer Sargent, 'Village Children', 1890. [Image source]
When I read the first sentence of the novel : 'Old granny Greengrass had her finger chopped off in the butcher’s when she was buying half a leg of lamb.' – by the way, one of the most astonishing openings ever – a little red light in my mind started beeping shyly, but I ignored it, thinking that I’m aggrandizing it and that it’s just the author’s harsh sense of humour. Besides, my own grandmother almost chopped off her finger herself once - everything ended well, fortunately - so I really could relate to this story. The anecdote is repeated a few times throughout the novel.
If I’m overreacting, please correct me, but given the fact, that the ideal audience of 'The Peppermint Pig' are - I would estimate - 9-12 year olds, I found the following excerpts pretty disturbing:
'Poll said, ‘What do you mean about biting off puppies’ tails?’
‘That’s what the groom at the Manor House used to do. My mother was cook there, you know. I’ve seen that groom pick up a new litter one after the other, bite off the tail at the joint and spit it out, quick as a flash. The kindest way, he always said, no fuss and tarradiddle, and barely a squeak from the pup.’
'She hit him in the stomach, he grunted and fell and she fell on top of him. He tried to get up but she grabbed his hair with both hands and thumped his head up and down.
She couldn’t move but Noah’s laughing face was above her so she spat into it as hard as she could and said, ‘Damn you, you rotten bug, damn and blast you to hell…’
'She made a best friend called Annie Dowsett who was older than she was and who told her how babies were born. ‘The butcher comes and cuts you up the stomach with his carving knife,’ Annie said.'
'Theo was wild with rage and that gave him the advantage. He broke loose and punched Noah in the throat, a murderous blow that made Noah gurgle and gasp. Theo hit him again, in the stomach, and Noah doubled over and fell. Theo kicked him as he lay crumpled against one of the tombstones. Poll saw Theo’s face, pale and exultant and terrible, and shouted, ‘Stop, oh stop, Theo,’ but although he turned his head briefly towards her he took no notice of her anguished cry. He flung himself on top of Noah and fastened his hands round his neck…'
Pierre Auguste Renoir, 'Jean and Genevieve Caillebotte', 1895. [Image source]
Well, I know it’s almost nothing compared to the computer games some kids play every day but these scenes made me feel uneasy, especially when I realized the age of the readers this book was intended for. I’m fully aware of the fact that children do fight and that both Pol and Theo had the right to feel angry, having been bullied by nasty Noah, but in this novel aggression seems to be an instinctive and effective way to solve conflicts.
In my opinion there is quite a mess as far as the idea behind the text is concerned. I think children at the age of 9-12 definitely need a more clear distinction between good and bad, right and wrong, than the one provided by Nina Bawden. The author’s message is not clear to me at all, so I wonder what children would make of it.
I assume one of Bawden’s intentions was to discourage children from telling lies and hiding the truth. As aunt Sarah used to say 'what a tangled web we weave when once we practise to deceive…' Apparently, I think the author got tangled in this sticky web herself: both parents in this novel deceived in a way too. Speaking of parents, the explanation of father’s decision, which changed the lives of the whole family and affected their economic status dramatically, sounds a bit absurd to me.
I’m really trying hard to understand why the author decided to end the story in such a cruel way. Maybe the novel was based on real memories, which is quite possible as the book was dedicated to her grandmother, and she wanted to be accurate at all costs?
The ending of 'The Peppermint Pig' felt as if the author slapped me in the face. Literally.
I don't expect good endings at any price but the awfulness of Nina Bawden’s version lies not only in what happened but also in the hidden message behind it: basically, you can’t really trust the adults you love. In my opinion nothing can excuse mother and aunts' decision, albeit the author tries hard, emphasizing its financial aspect.
Ferdinand Puigaudeau, 'Chinese Shadows, The Rabbit', 1895. [Image source]
![[Image source]](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Puigaudeau,_Ferdinand_du_-_Chinese_Schadows,_the_Rabbit.jpeg){kind=link}
I did my best to figure out what this ending is supposed to teach children and the only answer I have is 'don’t trust the people you love as they might do something traumatic to you, behind your back'. Would you like to learn something like that at the age of ten?
I felt astounded when I found out that 'The Peppermint Pig' was written in 1975. I thought it was a book from the beginning of the twentieth century. The lack of author’s empathy would be easier to swallow then. I understand that ‘The Peppermint Pig’ portrays the past, the end of 19th century to be exact, when the model of parenting, the role of children in family and mentality were quite different but do you think it’s rational to expect a historiosophical distance from a ten year old?
The thing, that shocked me most, was the lack of respect for child’s feelings, demonstrated especially by one of the aunts who was a teacher (!), a headmistress to be exact. The thing she does to explain the reason of the tragedy to Pol is horrifying and no wonder the girl faints as a result.
I really don’t want my musings on ‘The Peppermint Pig’ to sound like a gloomy and definite verdict discouraging you from reading this novel. As I’ve already said, there were things masterly done in it. For example the wistful atmosphere, the bitterish sense of humour and psychological portrayals of the family, especially the kids.
I wonder what my reaction to this novel would be if I read it as a child. I was notorious at our school library for having read all books about animals available there, so I would have probably got hold of it sooner or later, but it hadn't been translated into Polish. Frankly speaking, I don't regret it. Brothers Grimm's version of 'Cinderella' with cut toes, bleeding afterwards, made me slightly sick, so granny's finger might have been the final straw.
I wholeheartedly agree with those who believe that you must write for children the same way you write for adults, only better. To my mind, beside of literary high quality, though, empathy and respect for young reader’s emotions and sensitivity are essential.
Hans Thoma, 'Kinderreigen', 1872. [Image source]
![[Image source]](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hans_Thoma_-_Kinderreigen_(1872).jpg){kind=link}