It is still more than a week away until The Christmas Pig is released into bookshops worldwide on the 12th October. The very first early bird reviews are in from friend of this blog Patricio Tarantino of The Rowling Library and Marianne Levy of iNews. The two reviews are very different and both contain some spoilers – so be careful what you click.
The review by Patricio has scored 4.5/5 and only has a minor (name of character) spoiler – The Christmas Pi review: J. K. Rowling at her best.
The review by Marianne is very negative at 2/5 and has the unimaginative title of – The magic is missing from J. K. Rowling’s overhyped festive quest.
If you can bear the spoilers prior to release, the iNews piece actually has me looking forward to the book even more. From her description (even though she didn’t like it) there seems to be much that will interest serious readers. Combine this with the clearly impressed Patricio, and I will certainly be first in the queue on publication day.
**Update 05/10/21** A review is now in from the Evening Standard (with lots of spoilers!) by Amanda Craig: The Christmas Pig by JK Rowling review: her best book since Azkaban.
**Update 08/10/21** Another glowing review from the Daily Express’ Charlotte Heathcote: JK Rowling’s first children’s novel since Harry Potter
**Update 09/10/21** Yet another positive review from Janet Ellis of the Daily Mail: JK Rowling writes a voyage to our lost childhoods
I was heartily disappointed by The Christmas Pig; it is certainly unsuitable for the children I know. I am sorry I bought it.
I’m sorry you were disappointed Clare. Why do you think it unsuitable for the children you know?