The Unexpected Genius of Pigs, Matt Whyman
The Unexpected Genius of Pigs, Matt Whyman
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The Unexpected Genius of Pigs

Author: Matt Whyman

Narrator: Matt Whyman

Unabridged: 3 hr 46 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperCollins

Published: 10/04/2018

Synopsis

We often consider dogs to be our enduring sidekicks but the truth is domestic pigs have played a role in our lives for nearly as long. Pigs are highly social and smart. They like to play. They’re inventive, crafty and belligerent – and incredibly singleminded. Ultimately, we have far more in common with these creatures than we like to admit. Here is a charming ode to one of the most common, yet surprisingly intelligent, animals populating our landscapes. In this gentle and illuminating study, Matt Whyman embarks on a journey to uncover the heart and soul of an animal brimming with more energy, intelligence and playfulness than he could ever have imagined. In his bid to understand what makes a pig tick, having climbed a steep learning curve as a keeper himself, Whyman meets a veterinary professor and expert in pig emotion, as well as a spirited hill farmer whose world revolves around hogs and sows. Packed with fascinating research and delightful anecdotes, this entertaining and informative celebration of all things porcine covers everything from evolution, behaviour and communication to friendship, loyalty and broken hearts – uncovering a surprising notion of family along the way.

About Matt Whyman

Matt Whyman is a bestselling novelist, also known for his work as an advice columnist for numerous teenage magazines. He has written two novels for adults, Man or Mouse and Columbia Road, as well as both fiction and nonfiction for teenagers, including Superhuman, XY, Boy Kills Man, The Wild, Street Runners, Inside the Cage, and Goldstrike.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Allyson on November 18, 2018

It is hard for me to explain how much I enjoyed this book. I was attracted by the cover and the title and curious enough to take a chance and download it. I read the synopsis and had the book ended after the first section I would have been happy, but finding section after section of interesting, fac......more

Goodreads review by Anneke on October 05, 2019

Bij het zien van de schitterende cover van Het edele brein van een zwijn van Matt Whyman is het voor te stellen dat mensen verliefd op het varkentje worden, hij of zij ziet er zo schattig en onschuldig uit. Je krijgt meteen een vermoeden dat het boek over hem of haar en zijn of haar soortgenoten zal......more

Goodreads review by Gertie on October 06, 2020

A lovely little meditation on pigs! I would gobble up anything about these gentle creatures and I really enjoyed this.......more

Goodreads review by Ashley on July 10, 2021

A wonderful book. The author writes from a non-expert point of view but adds facts and knowledge from some who are expert! This book should be on every school bookshelf, indeed even on the curriculum. It might help young people to understand the relationship between animals and humans.......more

Goodreads review by Jk on July 12, 2020

Whyman only briefly captures the potential for both scientific depth and porcine cuteness in this short book. It reads more like a collection of journal entries than a fact-infused memoir.......more

Quotes

'An engaging book about porcine brilliance' The Daily Express For Pig in the Middle/Oink: My Life with Mini-pigs: ‘Move over Marley, a pair of cute mini-pigs are about to take over the world.’ New York Post ‘This merry memoir of family growing pains and too many pets has so many laugh-out-loud sequences it's embarrassing to read in public… the most good-hearted, hilarious memoir in years.’ Shelf Awareness ‘What a fabulous, funny read! I enjoyed every page. Highly recommended for anyone with a pet, a partner, a family, a sense of humour…or even a minipig.’ Sophie Kinsella ‘Funny, frank and charming.’ Lisa Jewell ‘Definitely my favourite pigs since Babe… funny and completely charming.’ Jenny Colgan ‘Written with wry humour and accompanied by numerous photographs, ink is a moving salute to love, family and commitment.’ Richmond Times-Dispatch ‘Be careful where you read this book because it is laugh-out-loud funny… Whyman has a flair for self-deprecating asides and for making the "ordinary" sparkling. It's compelling, bristles with irony and is sure to delight animal lovers.’ Daily Telegraph (Sydney) ‘A darling book – very funny and definitely for animal lovers.’ ABC

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