Thursday 3 January 2019

'Pig Heart Boy' by Malorie Blackman

Happy New Year Readers!

  So I've been busy working on my children's literature module for university and as part of my assessment, was tasked with reading and responding to a text in a completely blank book of my own. I've had so much fun exploring themes and characters within the text and am so proud of the work I've achieved.Today's review is all about that book 'Pig Heart Boy' by Malorie Blackman.

I'll be honest, I was hesitant about reading such an esteemed book. I've read books in the past where the 'hype' has been so large, but I've been left disappointed upon reading the book. Thankfully, this wasn't the case with 'Pig Heart Boy'.

  My summary
The narrative tells the story of Cameron a black boy in desperate need of a heart transplant to survive beyond his fourteenth birthday. With a lack of human donors, Cam’s dad contacts a specialist surgeon offering the first and untested trial of xenotransplantation (i.e. transplanting a genetically modified pig's heart to replace his own). With little other opportunity, Cam accepts. He confides about this very secret procedure with his best friend Marlon. Cam awakes from surgery to find Marlon has leaked his secret to national newspapers and is amassed with journalists trying to uncover more about him. The book also shows the wider response of friends, family and strangers which provides unique perspectives.

  My Thoughts
The story was well told and interesting to read. Whilst the book is targeted at younger readers than myself, I was able to resonate and empathise with Cam's difficult life both pre- and post-surgery. I even felt betrayed by Marlon as a reader!

The layout of the book was something I misjudged on my first read. I assumed the narrative would be linear from the first chapter and read it that way. However, upon re-reading I understood that the book actually starts from almost the end of the story. This illustrated the cause and effect relationship within the narrative allowing the reader to understand how Cameron got to where he was.

  Nonetheless, Malorie shows a real craft in storytelling. This book was published in 1997 (a year before I was born) and yet more than twenty years on the story is still relevant and believable.

  Reading and exploring this book has been thoroughly enjoyable and I'd happily read another of the many wonderful works by Malorie Blackman.

  My next post will be all about my trip to the lovely Stripes YA Blogger Event which I'm so excited for! Until then, Happy Reading!