Swine Not?: A Novel by Jimmy Buffett Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Swine Not?: A Novel
Book Review: Fun Read!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have a love and hate relationship with Swine Not! I love it and hate that I read it in one sitting! It's a clever read... one that deserves your attention.
As a Parrot Head from the early days I naturally bought the book because I was curious to see what Mr. Buffett was going to do with the story. He hasn't disappointed me yet... well sans Cheeseburger in Paradise... better known to concert goers as the "potty break song"! Like with his attempt at the movie HOOT from a few years ago I knew not to expect the next Pulitzer Prize winner... Jimmy Buffett and the brand he has created are about Fun and Escapism. Margaritaville is not serious subject matter. Do we really want it to be?
However I must admit I was really surprised that I not only enjoyed Swine Not I couldn't put it down! I NEEDED to know "what happened" to that pig!!!
A "phan" will recognize real life dribbles of familiarities from Mr. Buffett's real life interwoven into the characters of the story. Very nice touch!
Was it far fetched? Yes. Was is just plain fun? Yes. The beauty of a storyteller is that he or she can actually tell a story... based on fact, fiction or both. As is the case with Swine Not. Thanks once again Jimmy.... For all the years! It's been a lovely cruise!
Book Review: Pig's inner life...talking animals are for kids...you silly Buffett!
Summary: 2 Stars
Well, not at all what I hoped it would be -- sadly. The book is based on the illustrator's real-life experiences trying to keep a pig hidden in a NY Hotel for four years.
The general synopsis is a southern woman with twins, a pig and cat move to a fancy NY hotel near Central Park to be the new pastry chef and the differing viewpoints regarding the trouble one must go through to hide a pig in the Big Apple.
Each chapter is told in either the pig's voice (surprise) or the twin boy's voice. You'll enjoy the inner life of the pig and all the shenanigans that ensue...disguises...speaking with other animals...the pigeon patrol (yeah, they talk too)...searching for a long-lost twin pig brother -- oh, and did I mention the pig is a mean soccer goalie? Of course there is an "evil" chef who wants to catch the hidden pig -- pork chops anyone?
The main downfall is that this could be restructured into a prize-winning children's book (or a whole series of books)-- it is NOT an adult book; and frankly you will be ticked-off that you weren't told and paid the price. Ugh.
"Charlotte's Web," Wilbur the talking pig and the other barnyard animals are much better (anyone remember "Babe") - for more of a Pig-edge, read "Animal Farm."
Book Review: Swine Not? Swine--Yes! A fun, fun pig tale for all ages
Summary: 5 Stars
Heart-warming, witty and hilarious, Jimmy Buffett's tale will appeal to animal lovers and anyone wanting to see a little bit of fun and unabashed innocent joy in their reading. When divorce uproots the McBride family from Vertigo, Tennessee to an upscale hotel in Manhattan with a ban on exotic pets, there is no way this family can leave their pot-bellied pig Rumpy, not their beloved soccer-playing pig! In their new fish tank city home, everyone joins in to hide Rumpy from the hotel staff, especially the chef determined to ferret out the strange happenings surrounding his new pastry chef and her family. One escapade upon another ensues as the family adjusts to their new life in New York City and Barton Academy. Soccer-loving Barley adjusts to his new team while his twin sister Maple sets about her Karen Wu designer dreams with a new fervor. Even Syrup the cat seems to adapt to city life. Rumpy has one mission, to find her twin brother Lukie but when it comes to pig sense, Rumpy has completely different tools, obstacles and sources than a private detective to track down a missing family member! Can Rumpy achieve her goal without exposing herself and her family to a heap of trouble?
Inspired by the true life pig tales from illustrator Helen Bransford, Jimmy Buffett's fictional imagination creates a pig tale that will appeal to all ages. Told through the alternating voices of the son Barley and Rumpy, the reader feels the affection and love between the McBride Family and their pet pig Rumpy. Through Barley, the reader hears the voice of a son who seeks to play a protective role over his family and yet a voice that has not lost its wonder and delight in the world before him. Rumpy's story endears the reader with a humorous voice that transforms the familiar and mundane aspects of life into a pig's eye view. With a voice that is cute, sweet, enthusiastic, eclectic and even wise, Rumpy's narrates her odyssey in a manner that brings a bit of magic to the reader's heart. One riotous escapade after another will have readers laughing at the sheer craziness of these pig adventures, cheering on Rumpy and her entourage. Just as quickly, a word of pig wisdom or a glimpse into emotion will touch a tender place in the heart.
Helen Bransford's photo-illustrations complement this book perfectly! The imagery inspires the imagination, allowing the reader to visualize Rumpy's personality in all its shades: soccer goalie, listlessness, poetic musing, humor and generosity, mischief-maker, adventuress extraordinaire to feminine sow-like beauty. With humorous, playful images, she helps the reader enter the world Jimmy Buffett creates in words. Mixing realistic photographic details with drawings, the reader sees Rumpy and his animal friends and adventures from a viewpoint that never just slavishly mirrors the narrative in a staged scene but rather captures the spirit itself of Jimmy Buffett's narrative.
Jimmy Buffett's SWINE NOT? is a fun, fun book for adults as well as all ages. I read this book aloud to my husband. I just could not resist! The humor and gentle yet insightful vision of this book captivates. Swine Not is a book to be shared, with family, friends and anyone who wants to see the fun and goodness in a world seen through a pig's eye and the boy who loves her. SWINE NOT? just brings cheer to a reader, making this book a perfect gift. If you know anyone in the hospital, forget the flowers and give them this book --- or better yet, read it to them. SWINE NOT? is a book that brings inner smiles, laughter and a quiet joy to readers.
Book Review: Stupid Book
Summary: 1 Stars
Read "A Pirate Looks At Fifty" and "A Salty Piece of Land" and liked them both. That said, I can't believe Jimmy Buffet put his name on a stupid book like this.Book Review: Fun, for young and all alike
Summary: 5 Stars
I could not put it down. Very fun book and as I discovered, a great book for children to read.
I love Buffett and his music but I did not think this book was going to be so fun.
I encourage all to read it because it tells a tale about a pig in a very different way than I had expected.
Way to go Jimmy!!!!