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Book Review of The Good Good Pig: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood

The Good Good Pig: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood
LynniePennie avatar reviewed on + 169 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3


If you love true memoirs in this type of animal genre you'll enjoy this book. Sy Montgomery is an excellent & intelligent writer. She writes in a very easy and flowing fashion. In spite of her noticeable intelligence she doesn't write in a haute style. I loved the fact that she used no foul language or cursing in this book. I was quickly drawn into this story and it held my interest right to the end. I found myself identifing with many of the author's experiences.

The author, Sy Montgomery was a somewhat eccentric nature lover who had always thought herself more animal than human. She was estranged from her parents and had few close friends. That was before the sweet Christopher Hogwood came into her life. When Sy and her husband Howard get Christopher they nurse him slowly back to health. He soon is getting into loads of trouble all over town. Thanks to some very understanding neighbors, Christopher Hogwood is soon the most popular member of the neighborhood. Of course when people hear about Christopher they want to meet him. Pretty soon Chris is a celebrity too. In turn, Sy is forced into human relationships. The surprise is that she finds that she's actually enjoying it. Christopher Hogwood ends up touching everyone's life that he comes in contact with, until the day he dies. It was like he was sent into Sy's life to reconcile all her human relationships. Christopher is truely a special pig.

The reason I gave this charming book only 4 stars? At times the author goes into a few personal musings about her extensive travels, beliefs about religions or about people who eat meat. Whether or not, you would agree with her opinions- it doesn't really add to this otherwise awesome story. Also, at times Ms. Montgomery 'name drops' a bit too much for my tastes.

Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes stories on human/animal relationships. I'd read this again. Very well written and touching story.