This book tells some stories of the author's experiences while keeping 2 pigs. Intermeshed with this is his discussion with a scientist researching the behaviour of pigs and details of his visit to a smallholder who is keeping a large number of free-range pigs and her experiences with them. He relates some of the scientific research findings to his own experiences. The book is a quick and easy read and quite funny in places. It appears to be a follow-on of sorts to his previous book(s) about pig-keeping.

Part biography, part natural history title, wholly charming and informative.  Like so many others, Matt Whyman and his family fell for the micro-pig craze when it was at its height a few years ago.  Unlike so many others, and fortunately for the two acquired piglets, the Whyman family were able to continue to care for them long after they’d grown into near unmanageable maxi-pigs.

Whyman relating to his own experiences, and with the help of a few experts, looks at the history of pig domestication, their clever and cunning natures, as well as how they live day to day within groups.  The book is peppered with humorous and oddly touching anecdotes, dispelling many myths about the often-misunderstood species along the way.

Overall, I really enjoyed the conversational style of the book and found it unexpectedly thought-provoking in many places.   While it did feel a tiny bit repetitive in some places, there was more than enough in the book to keep my attention.

Recommended.

This was an ARC in exchange for an honest review.  With thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins.

3.5 stars rounded to four. Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read this.

There was a fashion, some years back, for keeping mini-pigs as household pets. The author’s experience was that his so-called minis grew into enormous maxis. In this book he looks at the history of pig domestication and, with a pig breeder and a professor who is researching them, increases his own and our insight. It’s all enlivened with anecdotes about his two pigs, or those of Wendy, the breeder.

I found it a little rambling – like the pigs – and repetitive in places. It read like a series of magazine articles linked up to make a book. If you already have a fondness for pigs this will delight you. If you haven’t, it’ll surprise you and you could find yourself unexpectedly admiring them.

Although the pig is an integral part of British agriculture and is one of the oldest forms of livestock, being domesticated earlier than cows there are several untruths and misconceptions surrounding them including that they are lazy, dirty and spend all day wallowing in mud. After completing this delightfully entertaining book by Matt Whyman the reader will I'm sure see pigs in a new totally new light for the book demonstrates how pigs are both intelligent and sociable animals with a penchant for cleanliness.  

The book revolves around how Whyman purchased what he mistakenly believed were two mini pigs that could easily be fitted in a handbag as pets that would be housed along with his chickens at his countryside home in West Sussex. Not only would they assist in deterring the foxes from attacking the chickens but would make excellent pets for his young children. Unfortunately it would soon become clear that Butch and Roxi where far from being mini pigs and would grow to become "minibeasts", of course the seller would no longer be in business when contacted regarding this fact. 

The book recounts the many capers that Butch and Roxi get up to including escaping and damaging  a local protected bluebell woodland, getting drunk on rotting apples and their passion for acorns. Also through the assistance of Wendy Scudamore a pig breeder and Professor Michael Mendl a veterinary professor we learn more about the pig's evolution, behaviour patterns and social structure. The end of the book is quite moving as it becomes inevitable that Butch and Roxi have literally outgrown their environment and need to be moved to new pastures. The conclusion is one should be very wary indeed if considering a pig as a pet.    

There are some wonderfully evocative drawings in the book but I would have also liked to have seen a few photographs of the two pigs and their environs. Its not a long book and can be read easily in one or two sittings and for this reader at least I found it a most enjoyable read.