A claustrophobic and disturbing read, however I found myself constantly annoyed with Vale. While I understand how confusing and overwhelming abusive relationships can be, she was incredibly frustrating to read about. Her internal monologue was a little juvenile and her character was all over the place. I also found the ending rather abrupt, after hundreds of pages of coercive language, Vale suddenly accepts what she’s been told? It was all very confusing and out of the blue. Still, I have to admit it was written very well.

I'm a bit undecided on this one, so rounding up to three stars.
The toxic friendship part was interesting, and seeing the back story was very helpful to understand the relationship.
There were too many times though when it just felt a bit flat for me.
An interesting idea, but I'm not completely sold on the finished story.

Pratesi sketches two very different women; Vale recites lists of pig breeds to herself when she becomes overwhelmed, Clara writes notes to tell Vale both what to eat and wear. ‘Pig’ charts the evolution (or is it stagnation?) of the relationship between these characters.

The bookshop setting was sweet and the supporting characters likeable. There were a few moments in which the characterisation seemed to flounder, while the flashbacks to Vale’s youth could seem a little contrived at times. However, main focus of the novel, the relationship between Vale and Clara was deftly explored. Pratesi does a sterling job of depicting the mental gymnastics involved in coercive control. The first person narration works well to convey Vale’s thought patterns as her sense of self becomes entangled with Clara. She is attuned to her insecurities, constantly trying to pre-empt her moods and going to great lengths to justify her actions.

Through an examination of relationships, identity and, of course, pigs, Pratesi’s novel presents a piercing look at the difficulties of loving someone.

Pig is the definition of an addictive, propulsive read. While the story is deeply uncomfortable, I genuinely could not look away.

This book puts us in the orbit of two very unlikeable characters with a dysfunctionally abusive toxic relationship. An emotional rollercoaster, I felt angry, frustrated, annoyed, hopeful, and hopelessly sad at various points throughout reading. Around 70% of the way through, I just wanted it to stop. Clara was nuts and Vale’s mental gymnastics made me want to scream. Definitely check the content advisories on this one!

The supporting cast was phenomenal. I was particularly drawn to Ollie and Kai. The bookstore was truly a safe haven, for Vale but also for me as a reader! I liked the commentary about sunken costs fallacy in relationships, toxic non-romantic friendships, and abuse in queer relationships.

My only real qualm is the book ends too soon. After the horror and claustrophobic nature of the whole book, I would have found some solace in a more definitive ending. <spoilers removed>

This is a remarkable debut novel.

And, can we just appreciate that stunning cover for a moment? Beautiful. 🐷

ETA: I'm bumping this to 4.5 rounded up because I can't stop thinking about this book!

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review*.

Pig follows Valentina who loves pigs as when she is overwhelmed she lists pig breeds to calm herself down. Vale needs order in her life in order to not get overwhelmed so her friend and flatmate Clara writes notes telling her what to wear and eat on that day. Vale works at a bookshop and ends up getting an exciting opportunity but Vale is worried what Clara will think because Clara wants to keep her safe.

This was okay, I liked what it was doing in terms of abusive/toxic friendship. It was well done in the sense that it was understandable why Vale didn’t realise what Clara was doing to her and the insidious nature of controlling friendships. The writing was a let down for me though because it felt unsophisticated. I would recommend this though and I absolutely love the cover which made me request the arc in the first place.