Russell A. PotterBesprekingen

A cute book. Not much knowledge to be oinked about, but it does place some learned names into their milieu, such as Robert Burns, Dr. Samuel Johnson, Anna Seward, and Sarah Siddons.

Great gift for those who collect inanimate pigs, but might turn off the appetites of those addicted to pork. Perhaps a good book for one's local Congressman?

Pyg, by Russell Potter, promises much and delivers little. For a book that is supposedly the "memoir of a learned pig," a subject which sounds at first inclination to have the potential to be most amusing, the actual narrative is very dry and lacking in much plot development. Essentially, Toby the pig is rescued from the slaughter, learns to spell as part of a performing act, and when it is recognized that he can actually read and understand the words in front of him, he gets the chance to become more educated. Nothing else of interest takes place that is not articulated in the cover description. Pyg is neither a comedy nor is it a social commentary in the style of Animal Farm. It is simply a matter-of-fact narrative that, had its protagonist been human rather than animal, would have no interest to readers whatsoever. As it stands, Pyg might be more interesting to advanced middle grade readers, providing that they have the necessary vocabulary and sufficient patience to wade through this text.

Was there really a pig who could read and write English? Reading this finely-crafted narrative is like watching an expert magician perform. Deep down you know it couldn't be real, yet from the first page onward, there is a nagging feeling that maybe, just maybe, it might have really happened.

The book begins with an Editor's Note (Potter credits himself as the book's Editor, not its author), which in scholarly language states that the present volume is based on Toby the Pig's original published memoir of 1809. There was indeed a "miraculous sapient pig" named Toby, who toured the fairs and performing halls of late 18th Century England and Wales.

As he tells it, Toby begins life on a farm, has a narrow escape from the slaughterhouse, and ends up in the care of a traveling entertainer with his troupe of performing animals. His linguistic skills are developed subtly, from first hints of understanding to training in card tricks and onward to...well, no plot spoilers here. Toby's travels through England and Ireland are depicted with nicely drawn details of places, clothing and transport.

But this is not a cute, archaic "Babe the Pig". More like Charlotte's Web meets Stromboli's Circus in Pinocchio. The relationships between Toby and his human caretakers, and the portrait of the cruel world of late 18th Century traveling circuses, are touching, funny, sad and gut-wrenching, and often terrifying.

The real joy of Pyg is the language. At first the slightly archaic terms and spelling might seem off-putting, but by the second page they meld into the rich and sonorous voice of Toby, which sweeps you along for the next 230 pages.

The book ends with a generous section of historical notes. It turns out that most (or all) of the people and places which appear in the narrative actually existed. As did a short book published in 1805, entitled The Life and Adventures of Toby, the Sapient Pig.

At the end you'll feel happy at having just enjoyed a well-told, unique and eccentric story, and you'll be scratching your head wondering just how much of it was true.

Finally, if you can get your hands on the original British hardcover edition, you won't regret it. Rarely do you find books these days with so much craft put into the design. From the exquisite, tactile cover to the slightly yellowed paper to the typeface, which mimics the look of 18th Century metal type, the book is a treasure to hold and look at.

http://wineandabook.com/2013/02/19/review-pyg-the-memoirs-of-toby-the-learned-pi...

Premise: The author, Russell Potter, assumes the persona of “editor” is this novel, the (obviously) fictitious “found memoirs” of a sapient pig named Toby, the porcine embodiment of the phrase “knowledge is power.” The story itself is very sweet and follows Toby from his piglet-hood to adulthood. With the help of his human companion, Sam, Toby narrowly avoids the slaughterhouse and finds himself the main attraction of an animal circus where he is accidentally, then intentionally, taught to read. Over the course of his life, he trods the boards in London, studies at Oxford, and encounters luminaries such as Samuel Johnson, William Blake and Robert Burns. Not bad for a pig…I wish the “editor” himself were nearly as successful.

To really convey a sense of time and place, Potter appropriates the construct of historical diary. As I was reading, I kept having flashbacks to high school readings of The Dairy of Samuel Pepys…which was part of the problem. Historical diaries aren’t written to be read as novels; in Pepys’ diary, there are lots of entries that consist of events and descriptions of the day to day, which aren’t exactly the most riveting to read. Interesting: yes. Exciting: no. And unfortunately, Potters’ piece consists of a lot of listing of events, mostly of traveling. You know how there are entire passages of the Bible that read like “and ________ begat __________, who in turn begat ______ and _________”? I feel like there were entire stretches of the narrative that read like “from thence we traveled to __________ via _________, whence we happened upon the __________ Inn, and four miles hence is ____________, where we played but a fortnight ago.” I get it, Potter. You researched. You know stuff about English history. A little bit of that is fine to establish a sense of historical setting, but gets a tad tiresome after fifty pages or so. It became what the book was ABOUT, and the book was supposed to be about an intellectually curious pig.

And then there was the Random Capitalization. Once and a while, the Author, would choose to Capitalize important Nouns and Verbs, with the occasional Italics thrown in for good Measure. It felt real Schtick-y, real Quick.

Finally, the themes that Potter references are not new (what it means to be intelligent, man’s inhumanity toward man and nature, the danger of ignorance and assumption, etc). Which would be fine, if Potter had anything new or unique or particularly compelling to add to the subject. Unfortunately, he does not. I requested to read and review this book because, as a former teacher myself, I saw in the premise a lot of potential for classroom use in maybe 5th or 6th grade…it seemed like the type of piece that may serve as a side door into history, a piece that might complement some of the established classics. Alas, Potter has explored nothing in this book that Charlotte’s Web or Animal Farm hasn’t already tackled, and tackled FAR better. It felt to me like Potter got so caught up in the Style of the narrative that Substance suffered.

In all, I feel like he really just scratched the surface of the story he meant to write. Toby, as a character, was flat. Underneath all the name-dropping, the Ye Olde English-y font, and the excessive historical referencing, and damned TRAVELING, there really wasn’t much Story there.

Rubric rating: 3.5.½

I'm more than a little confused by this book. I understand there were "learned" animals touring Europe in the early 19th century, but beyond that, I'm not sure how much is fact and how much is fiction.

By that, I mean that I've found some reference to an autobiography of Toby the pig and his opinions on men and manners, but a Wikipedia entry does not a fact make. I found other references as well, but I can't determine if they're just clever seeds sown by the author or a publicist, or if there was indeed a purported "autobiography" written nearly two centuries ago. To be clear, I don't believe a pig wrote an autobiography at any time, but I'm wondering if someone pushed a purported autobiography out to the public way back and inspired this book. I guess the backstory is more fascinating.

Regardless, the book seems true to what an account written by a celebrity of the time might provide - a little dry, almost exciting, maybe worth a quiet chuckle or two. I liked it just well enough not to dislike it, but that's about as far as it went. Of course, it fails in some ways in authenticity. . . I didn't bother to check dates to names, but there were many famous people from way-back-when making appearances in the book. I'm not sure if the timeframe is correct for all of them - but then, I didn't care enough to figure it out. Also, the style of writing is definitely modern, I think the author fell a little short in that effort as well.

Summary: Pyg is the autobiography of Toby, the world's first genuine Learned Pig. Toby was born and raised as a prize-winner, but after the fair, he escapes from his destiny in the butcher's yard with the help of his young human friend, Sam. Together they find their way to the traveling show of Mr. Bisset, who trains Toby to recognize subtle cues and respond by selecting the proper letters, so as they might amaze village fairgoers with Toby's knowledge. But Mr. Bisset does not realize that Toby is in fact learning to read, again with the help of Sam, and thus begins Toby's adventures across Britain, studying at Oxford and meeting such great thinkers of the day as Robert Burns and Samuel Wilberforce.

Review: This was a very interesting conceit for a book, and Potter pulls it off remarkably well. I had known of the existence of this kind of sideshow act before I picked up this book - horses that count by stamping, that sort of thing - but I don't think I realized how detailed the acts got, nor how popular the "sapient pig" was in Britain back in the day. I really enjoyed the fact that this book let Toby speak for himself; because this is a (putative) autobiography, Toby gets to muse on his existence, and what it says about the human (and porcine) condition, in such a way that is both insightful and more genuine-feeling than it would if this were a book about Toby, rather than by him. As I said, Potter manages it really well; it took surprisingly little suspension of disbelief to believe that I was reading a book pieced together one letter at a time by a very intelligent pig. Potter also captures the style of the time very well, with somewhat haphazard capitalizations and italics, that could have been intrusive or obnoxious, but which I thought helped give the book an appropriate period flavor.

My main complaint about this book is that it sort of ran out of steam about 2/3s of the way through. The early story, about Toby's escape and education, were very interesting, and the trials of his time on the stage and his struggle to be accepted in a world of men were equally compelling, if a little slower. But after that, the action sort of started to peter out, and there's not much drama or conflict to sustain the last section of the book. It's a shame, because while I enjoyed the book as a whole, the ending kind of left me feeling as though I wasn't entirely sure what the point of the story actually was. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Recommendation: If you like early 19th-century literature, or stories set in that time (or Charlotte's Web), or even if you think a book narrated by a pig sounds like fun, then this book should be worth checking out.½

This short novel, which falls loosely into the historical fiction genre but adds significant satire and imagination to the usual fare, uses a once-popular figure as its centerpiece, purporting to be his definitive autobiography. That eminent figure is, of course, Toby the sapient pig, who was a standard of the fair circuit in England around the turn of the nineteenth century.

Yes, apparently this was an actual thing.

Russell Potter's notes certainly encourage that understanding -- the last several pages of the novel are populated with explanations, in wry and cheeky tones, of the other famous historical personages who pop up in the course of the novel -- and any reader of this novel should take the time to peruse those carefully. But one doesn't have to know the historical context to find this book enjoyable. The "memoir" uses a narrative style that echoes a combination of 'Tom Jones' and 'Black Beauty' to produce a story that is clever, witty, and even occasionally heartfelt. That this novel is significantly shorter than those two previously mentioned will also please the modern reader -- Toby's adventures, from birth through showmanship through scholarship and back again, take only the space of an afternoon to read.

While this isn't the stuff for everyone, I can recommend Potter's book for the diversion of many of our group. After all, what's not to love about a memoir written in the 18th century style by an educated pig who quotes classical philosophers? Wait... where are you going? No, really, you might like this! It's quite funny!½

Cute, fun, funny, charming. This book is also very nicely packaged, with great little prints of Toby spelling out the chapter titles, an unusual font that mimics that of 18th- and 19th-century books, strange use of italics, and an attractive spine. It's a clever and sweet book that might be nicely packaged with the excellent movie, Babe.

Cute story. It's the only thing I could say about this Early Reviewers book (which, I also add, is no bigger in size than my hand).

The style, substance and presentation of "the memoirs of Toby, the learned pig" almost left me believing that this book had been penned (or at least dictated by) a sapient porcine (but bear in mind that I am pretty gullible). While his adventures weren't particularly harrowing or fast paced, they were entertaining to read about; I was particularly fond of his vanities like his waistcoat and medal. While overall I enjoyed the book, I'm not sure how I felt about Toby's encounter with the other Toby; if there are two learned pigs in such close proximity it would indicate that Toby (the author) is in not really extraordinary, just lucky to have people to help him out.

A memoir of the life and adventures of Toby, a pig who has been taught by his owner to spell, read and count. They travel from town to town and from troupe to troupe, performing, until they end up at Oxford, where Toby is encouraged to study, and Edinburgh, where he continues his studies. He meets many illustrious persons along the way.

An interesting concept, but not a very exciting or interesting book. It was like reading anyone's memoirs, and there was nothing that marked it as special.

Toby is a sapient pig living in England in the late 1700's. He has written a memoir of his life on the stage and at University with the assistance of his friend. Toby faces adversity in the form of a scornful and disbelieving public, but also finds his champions and admirers are many.
The tale is alternately heartbreaking and heartwarming. Toby is a likable narrator and the reader will fall in love with him. He understands much about the world about him and makes valuable observations about the nature of humanity and the thirst for knowledge.
My only complaint about the book were the various italicized words, which I felt interrupted the narrative flow, as it did not seem that these words were to be emphasized. In fact, I could discern no rhyme nor reason for the device, except that possibly this was frequently done in texts of this era. The Capitalization of words that have come to be more frequently lowercase in today's grammar was more readily ignored as well as accounted for.

This charming, gentle story combines sly wit, solid, though seldom overwhelming, historical detail and a lively pace to tell the story of Toby the celebrated sentient pig. It's being marketed as a novel for adults but it could as easily be enjoyed by young readers, say, 13 and older. Vegetarians, in particular, will find much to love here.

It's a very cute premise for a book: a learned pig writes the memoir of his life and how he became so learned. It's actually written like an 18th century memoir as well. Trouble is, this can get in the way sometimes. I was looking forward to a quick cute read, which it is at times, but it often feels like a legit 18th century memoir (which, I suppose, was the point). Overall, I did enjoy the book; it's a very unique idea. I just had trouble staying 100% engaged throughout.

There was an actual pig named Toby, who had a famous stage act in the late 18th century. He could respond to questions by spelling out words with placards that he manipulated with his snout. The act was very popular, so much so that there were many imitators, and Toby was mentioned in the popular press of the day.

This is a work of fiction, an imagined memoir of Toby. It seems to be very accurate in it's treatment of the historical characters around the pig. Toby is presented as being extremely intelligent . The writing is in the style of works from the period, and is very reminiscent of Jonathon Swift and Gulliver's Travels.

Unfortunately, it left me wanting more. Very little is mentioned about how Toby attained the spark of intelligence, or about how a pig would respond so differently than a human to stimulus. Toby is portrayed as a mute human more than anything else, and nothing like a pig. There is very little drama. I thought that the story could have been so much better, along the lines of the novels by Richard Adams.½

This little jewel of a memoir is recently republished after being thoroughly authenticated by the editor Russell Potter. He has gone back to the original, published in 1809, and has seen documents of authentication by several academicians of the era in question. The memoir is the product of an extraordinary pig, or perhaps an ordinary pig who received an extraordinary opportunity to master written language. Toby the pig narrates his own life story.

Toby began his life on a small farm near Salford, not too far from Manchester, England in 1781, or thereabouts. His owner, Mr. Francis Lloyd, had a nephew, Samuel Nicholson, who took a special liking to Toby the piglet, and favored him with extra treats, which led in short order to Toby's becoming the biggest and ruddiest pig of the farrow (a word Toby defines for our benefit as "a word then used to Signify the Pigs born alongside one.") In telling how he came to have been given a name, Toby compares Sam's fondness for him with that of a boy and his pet dog. Toby sardonically explains though, that most men of the day saw little need in naming pigs, unless with terms associated with supper, such as Loin or Roast.

Toby's adventures begin with a trip to the Salford Livestock Fair, where he is awarded a Blue Ribbon. In short order, he and Sam both realize the unfortunate ramifications of that "honor," as Toby's new owner transfers him to another cart and takes him to another farm in another town. Thankfully his Benefactor (Sam) sneaks onto the cart and travels with Toby to save him from his fate. He is able to rescue him and they strike out on their own. Before too much time has passed, they run across a farm with happy animals who seem very well trained. They have happened on to the property of Silas Bisset, a man with an exceptional talent for training animals. Lives are about to change!

Mr. Bisset treats Sam and Toby as guests for awhile, but gradually works his way into a training mode with Toby. As he has with his other animals, he uses patience and a reward system to teach Toby to select certain letters on alphabet cards at the subtlest of signals, so that he will appear to be answering simple questions. Sam is not present in the room during these sessions, but he privately works with Toby until Toby actually associates meaning with sounds and can actually spell words.
Mr. Bisset is pleased with Toby's response to his training and has no idea how much further his understanding goes.

Bisset, the animals and Sam as a helper, go out on the road, travelling from village to village and entertaining at fairs and performance halls. Toby, the Sapient Pig, quickly emerges as a star. It is only when Bisset discovers that Toby can answer questions with the alphabet cards without the benefit of Bisset's subtle clues, that he perceives that Toby and Sam have colluded against him, and in anger separates the two.

Toby is eager to step away from show business, but his fate seems to be tied to Bisset's ambitions.
In spite of some pretty harrowing experiences, Toby eventually has an opportunity to study in an academic setting, meeting some poets and other literary giants along the way. He eventually has the leisure time and the opportunity to write his own memoirs, and we are the richer for it.

Russell Potter's Pyg: The Memoirs of a Learned Pig (Canongate, 2011; forthcoming in the US from Penguin) is pure delight from start to finish. Drawing on a brief "learned pig" fad which sprang up in 1780s Britain, Potter has imagined what that might have looked like from the perspective of the trained pig himself. His Toby, the "author" of the memoirs between these covers (Potter declares himself simply the editor) is a pig for the ages: move over Wilbur, this one can conjugate Latin verbs!

Embracing the idiosyncracies of 18th-century italicization and capitalization practices, set in a nice Caslon Antique type, and with a 1798 woodcut illustration of a learned pig at the start of each chapter (a nice touch), this is not only a very entertaining and enjoyable read, but also a lovely little book. Potter's scholarly apparatus (glossing Toby's Latin phrases, identifying historical characters from the text, &c.) are also welcome and make for fun reading.

Added bonuses are the cameo appearances by such literary luminaries as Samuel Johnson, William Blake, Anna Seward, and Robert Burns, and Potter's (Toby's) sharp sense of 18th-century style and sensibility. Deeply funny, but also brilliantly satirical and also just a darn good story. I recommend it.

http://philobiblos.blogspot.com/2012/06/book-review-pyg.html

“Had it not been for the fortuitous circumstances of Sam’s youthful sentiment, there can be little doubt that, instead of this my book before you on your table, you would have a rasher of bacon and a rack of ribs…….and that these would be my only mortal remains.”

PYG is a very different kind of book which I personally found very appealing and entertaining.

The memoirs of Toby, the sapient pig, chart his rise to fame from a small farm in Salford, North West England, to notoriety and admiration for his skills in the English language and knowledge of far reaching subjects. I must explain that Toby does not speak….that would be a trotter too far…but he is able to spell out his replies with the aid of special cards. Audiences are invited to ask him any question and Toby is happy to answer correctly. Taught by his master, Silas Bisset, a fore runner of the modern day circus impresario, Toby thrives under his kindly command. They travel around the UK entertaining audiences almost every night. Tragedy finds Toby in a perilous position, but he is saved by his benefactor, the young Sam and goes on to greater glory. Toby is even educated at Oxford where he meets many luminaries of the day, finally settling in Edinburgh where he is encouraged to further his education at the university there. His days as a peripatetic pig are over, but there is still much to learn.

Russell Porter has “edited” Toby’s memoirs beautifully and the typeface and text remain intact with only punctuation being modernised for simpler reading. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the love and passion that was doubtless poured in to this little book is very evident. A triumph!

This book was made available to me for an honest review.