Book of the Week

Pig Heart Boy by Malorie Blackman
Ben Chuah
I read this book about two years ago, and I really enjoyed the balance of suspense, emotion and hope that makes the story riveting.

The novel presents itself as children’s/young adult fiction, with the use of simple language and a child’s point of view, but contains powerful underlying messages that symbolize the world’s prejudice against and ostracism of people who are perceived to be ‘different’ and the difference in treatment they experience when they are looked down upon or not seen as ‘human’ or ‘the same’ as the majority.
The novel also explores themes of fear, anxiety, death and the dehumanization of an innocent boy, giving insight into the cruelty of mob mentality and the warped sense of exclusivity that mankind has adopted throughout history towards things as well as people who do not comply or fit with everything else. It's a book which could be read by anyone who was interested in giving it a go because of the mature themes and messages it presents while making it possible for younger people to relate to the main character.

 

The story is written in the first person and follows a young boy named Cam who has suffered from a heart disease for the several years that has rendered him unable to do things that other boys his age can do, such as swimming, which causes built up resentment and distress about his health. As the reader we find out that the heart condition is very serious and that without a transplant Cam only has so long to live. Without a human donor in the near future, Cam spirals into darker thoughts and hopelessness until an eccentric doctor approaches him to be one of the first candidates for a revolutionary program that could save his life, but with a catch, because the surgery will not involve a human donor but a pig and its heart as a hybrid transplant.

Without spoiling what happens next, I would really just like to talk about what and why I liked the book. I really liked the dynamics between Cam and his parents because they felt so realistic and genuine. His parents are not just background figures or emotionally wrecked characters because of their son’s ordeal, but were concerned about the well-being of their son while cautious and practical about the consequences that the operation would entail, taking into account the media’s probable perception of Cam as well as his peers' and their parents’ opinions once or if they found out. This creates very real tension between the nuclear family members but also highlights the real love between them and the loyalty that they show for one another, being ready to stand by one another through difficult times.

The first person narrative skilfully lets the reader get inside Cam’s head and see how and what he thinks about everything, which brings a further level of empathy from us for his uniquely tough situation. We're able to consider these questions and thoughts because Blackman has planted the seed through Cam’s views and thinking such as ‘Will this work?’ ‘What are the consequences?’ ‘How well can I [Cam] function?’ ‘Does this violate animal rights?” ‘Is this a trustworthy procedure?’ ‘Will I be different?” and ‘Will others still see me as a person?’ All these questions and thoughts strengthen the already strong plot and make us as the reader feel more empathy towards Cam but at the same time more hope, conviction and determination in rooting for his survival.

I cannot really think of any criticisms for this novel, and I overall thoroughly enjoyed reading it for the suspense, emotion and heart it has throughout the story, where Cam shows incredible bravery in facing others and fighting for his own life and his own heart, as well as accepting himself and coming to the realization that he is a person who matters and who can make it through greatly challenging issues.