"...everything, here, goodbye to everything on this, the Day of the Pig."

Pukin' good Malerman novel! When Jeff goes to his grandpa (Walt Kopple)'s farm, he inexplicably feels drawn to the pig pen. Once there, he hacks off the head of a pig, then claims that Pearl, one of the other pigs made him want to do this. This story quickly spreads through the small town of Chowder, enticing 2 dopey teens and Susan, their unlikely companion, to the farm to check out this ~magic pig~. The night turns wild SO FAST, with the teens, cops, and other characters fighting for their lives at the hands of...pigs (pig)?

Malerman's writing style is unique and to see it paired with such an insane concept as a pig who is capable of telepathy that makes you do horrific things was truly a treat to experience. The story wastes no time in picking up, immediately drawing me in with the allure of Pearl and his wicked ways. It turns trippy fast with gory imagery and disgusting deaths, all at the hands (well, sort of) of the monster that is Pearl. For me, stories that are over the top like this are polarizing: they can be too fantastical and turn juvenile or they can have a perfect balance of insane/realistic to keep me interesting. Malerman made this work 2 ways: With the characters' past interactions with Pearl (minor and major) and the characters' reactions: most were too stupefied to even consider Pearl playing a hand in the events that took place before it was too late., even after sensing a dark presence about the creature. I don't want to give too much away but, if you enjoy quick, over-the-top, blood n' guts horror you've got to read Pearl!