A book for anyone with a soul…

This “children’s book” written by the late, great Russell Hoban is a must read for any adult. Hoban, who is a master at attributing human behavior to things/animals, created this masterpiece for anyone who has ever loved or needs to be loved. The book centers around the life of a marzipan pig and the journey through his short-lived  life. It involves a mouse, an owl and a hibiscus flower who learn to experience love and loss in very peculiar and funny ways. Again, I cannot recommend this book enough (since I obviously took the time to blog about it!). It is no longer in print so that means one must order it through either Ebay or Amazon. I ordered mine through Amazon and it took many weeks to arrive but it was well worth the wait! If you do manage to find it in a rare bookstore or library, BUY IT-– you will not regret it. Every time I read this book there is some touching and deeply symbolic detail that was surprisingly missed from the last time I read it. Very few books can have that type of effect but when it does that’s how you know you are holding a true masterpiece. Anytime I am feeling low, misunderstood or utterly flattened by the  pain and rejection (not that it happens often but when it does it does) I sometimes feel in life, I turn to this book. Second to my Bible it has been the most comforting book I’ve ever read. Yes, all this from  a children’s book. LOL. It is my belief that Hoban actually never intended this to be a true-blue children’s book. Like  Seuss (who began drawing political cartoons during WWII), Hoban uses animals and inanimate objects to narrate very adult, bittersweet themes. This slipping in and out of metaphors, in and out of make-believe just somehow makes this story work. For now I will continue to read and keep my copy of The Marzipan Pig close to my heart and my nightstand. My favorite part of the book {Spoiler Alert!} is close to the end when the second marzipan pig is eaten.  SMH….just brilliant storytelling right there I tell you and such a metaphor for life! R.I.P Mr. Hoban. 🙂