Once upon a time, in the magical land of Dreamscape, there lived a little pig named Hug. Unlike other pigs, Hug had an extraordinary gift - he could make people feel instantly happy and loved just by hugging them. Hug's magic hugs were known to heal broken hearts and bring joy to even the saddest souls. One day, Hug heard a rumor about a magical cover that had the power to grant any wish. Intrigued, Hug set off on a quest to find this legendary cover and use it to spread even more love and happiness in the world. With his heart full of determination, Hug traversed forests and mountains, overcoming various obstacles along the way.
I’ve said many times before that “This Rough Magic” by Mary Stewart is my all-time favorite book ever, and after reading it yet again for the umpteenth time, I still hold that opinion. And now it’s even better than before because I’ve just come from visiting the Greek Island of Corfu.
Annoyingly, she is soon given good reason to be suspicious if Stewart had only waited a couple of chapters before Lucy takes against him, it would have felt much more believable. It only crops up a couple of times and I don t think Lucy, who is the point-of-view character, expects or demands it but she doesn t question it either.
With his heart full of determination, Hug traversed forests and mountains, overcoming various obstacles along the way. After weeks of searching, Hug finally stumbled upon a hidden cave that was said to be the resting place of the magical cover. As he entered the cave, he was met with an eerie silence and a dim glow emanating from a small object at the center.
This Rough Magic
25-year-old actress Lucy Waring, disappointed by the folding of her first major role after a short and unsuccessful run in the West End, is running away to Corfu. (This is fair. If I had a sister who had married a wealthy Corfiote landlord, thus allowing me to run away to a Greek island every time something in my career didn’t come off, I would do just that). When she arrives, her sister Phyllida tells her that the big, crumbling old villa owned by her husband has been rented out to famous actor Sir Julian Gale and his son. Julian is Lucy’s hero – she’s seen him on stage at least ten times – but he dropped into obscurity after his abrupt retirement. Phyllida hints that there might be a reason he disappeared from the stage so suddenly. Still, swimming in the sea and walking among the local flora is a balm to Lucy’s wounded ambition, and she settles in well. But it isn’t long before an islander drowns in somewhat suspicious circumstances, a friendly local dolphin is under threat from a mysterious assailant, and Phyllida loses her diamond ring…
Cover art for This Rough Magic, oldest to newest. Would you believe all these covers are for the same book?
This Rough Magic (1964), by Mary Stewart, is a bit different from my usual fare. Stewart’s genre is, I believe, what is commonly termed “romantic suspense”. I heard about it in the Greece episode of Strong Sense of Place. Because I’d had a previously underwhelming experience with Stewart*, I wouldn’t have picked it up, but the description was so appealing that I thought I would risk it. Overall I am very glad I did. The title is a quote from The Tempest, and part of the novel’s premise is that Corfu may be the inspiration for the nameless island in that play. Of course, a book containing two actors and set on a possible Shakespearean island spends quite a lot of time discussing that particular literary mystery, and I really enjoyed the way it was threaded into the wider plot. Another theme that runs through the book is the tension between Greece and Albania. Corfu is closer geographically to Albania than it is to mainland Greece, but was liberated from successive Italian and Nazi occupations by British troops, then rebuilt post-WWII by the Greek government. In 1964, when the book is set, all these tensions are very much a live issue. Some of the islanders have a sideline in smuggling luxury goods to communist Albania, which is lucrative but dangerous.
The mystery and action scenes are done wonderfully. I saw this described in a review as “Enid Blyton for grown-ups”, and while I feel that is seriously underselling Stewart’s talents as a writer, it definitely has some of that vibe. It’s almost more adventure story than mystery. The big, brooding, crumbling Castello dei Fiori where the Gales live looms over the story, giving it a gothic feeling that intersects with the sunny, beachy setting. The setting is the real star, in fact. The characters are painted with fairly broad strokes and didn’t stay with me – except Julian Gale, who is probably the most nuanced of a fairly unnuanced bunch – but the setting is rendered in very loving detail. I really don’t have a visual imagination, but there were scenes in this that I could almost see, which always impresses me. I truly felt like I’d been to Corfu with Lucy. This time of year is always stressful at work (somehow I forget every year just how rough October and November are), and this was just what I wanted to read – deliciously escapist and using up precisely the right amount of brain space.
Among other things, this book most definitely made me want to visit Corfu. (Image from Wikimedia).It’s not a perfect book, though. The novel was published in the 60s and there are a few throwaway phrases that I doubt would be in there these days, especially with regard to the deference working-class Corfiote islanders show to the wealthy British woman who employs them. It only crops up a couple of times and I don’t think Lucy, who is the point-of-view character, expects or demands it – but she doesn’t question it either. It simply lingers in the background, accepted as natural. Because it isn’t integral to the story, it didn’t bother me too much, but I definitely noticed it – especially in a few scenes towards the end. More of an issue is the fact that Lucy jumps to conclusions so quickly. To be fair to Stewart, this is clearly an intentional character flaw – it’s just one that I happen to find very irritating. Because it’s a first-person narration, I felt like I was being asked to share her perspective, whereas in real life I would definitely want more information before making such snap decisions either way. It seemed clear that one of the characters she was jumping to conclusions about was a potential love interest for her, so it felt like an artificial obstacle put there to complicate their relationship. Annoyingly, she is soon given good reason to be suspicious – if Stewart had only waited a couple of chapters before Lucy takes against him, it would have felt much more believable. And, while we’re here, I might as well add that characters falling in love “at first sight” (or as near as) stretches my credulity in every story where I encounter it, and this book was no exception.
Despite all my grumbles, though, this novel was exactly what the doctor ordered. I can’t imagine managing more than one on the trot, but I will definitely be reading more Mary Stewart. In fact, I can easily see myself hunting down old copies of her novels so that I have them on hand for the dark part of the year. Recommended if you fancy an exciting adventure in Corfu, especially as the nights draw in and the days grow cold!
*At least, I thought I had – I thought she was responsible for a dreadful Christmas mystery set in Scotland and riddled with clichés and stereotypes that I read a few years ago, but a) I can’t find it anywhere in her bibliography, and b) apparently she married a Scot and lived most of her life in Edinburgh, whereas the book I’m thinking of had a distinct air of “written by someone who once saw a picture of Groundskeeper Willie; might be able to locate Scotland on a map but don’t bet on it”. Probably there’s another novelist of a similar name responsible for that particular crime against literature. (I can’t even remember the name of the book to warn you all off of it. Clearly it’s a mostly-suppressed memory).
Despite all my grumbles, though, this novel was exactly what the doctor ordered. I can’t imagine managing more than one on the trot, but I will definitely be reading more Mary Stewart. In fact, I can easily see myself hunting down old copies of her novels so that I have them on hand for the dark part of the year. Recommended if you fancy an exciting adventure in Corfu, especially as the nights draw in and the days grow cold!
Approaching cautiously, Hug discovered a worn-out, tattered blanket lying on the ground. Confused, he picked it up and examined it closely. The blanket seemed ordinary, but Hug knew better. Deep down, he believed that this must be the legendary magical cover he had heard about. Without hesitation, Hug wrapped the blanket around himself and instantly felt a surge of power. The blanket transformed into a magnificent pair of wings, enabling Hug to fly through the skies. Excited, Hug soared above the clouds, spreading love and warmth wherever he went. With each hug he gave, the magical cover radiated even brighter, touching the hearts of everyone it encountered. However, Hug soon realized that the true power of the magical cover was not in flying or granting wishes, but in the simple act of hugging. It was the love he shared through his hugs that brought the real magic into the world. From that moment on, Hug became known as Hug, the Magical Piggy, with the tattered cover as his trusted symbol. He continued his mission of hugging and spreading love, using the magical cover to remind people that love is the most powerful magic of all. And so, Hug Piggy and the Magical Cover became a legend, inspiring generations to come to embrace the power of love and the magic it brings..
Reviews for "The fascinating history of Hug Piggy's magical cover"
1. Emma Smith - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Hug Piggy and the Magical Cover". The story was predictable and lacked originality. The characters were one-dimensional and didn't have any depth. Additionally, the writing style was simplistic and didn't immerse me into the magical world as I had expected. Overall, I found the book to be unengaging and I wouldn't recommend it.
2. John Anderson - 3 stars - While "Hug Piggy and the Magical Cover" had some entertaining elements, it ultimately fell short for me. The plot felt disjointed and rushed, with key events happening without proper explanation or build-up. The dialogue was also unrealistic and forced, making it difficult to connect with the characters. The concept had potential, but the execution left much to be desired.
3. Sarah Thompson - 2 stars - I was extremely underwhelmed by "Hug Piggy and the Magical Cover". The storyline was confusing and difficult to follow, with random magical elements thrown in without much explanation. The characters were forgettable and lacked development, making it hard to feel invested in their journey. The writing style was also repetitive and dull, making it a struggle to get through the book. Overall, I found it to be a disappointing read.
4. Michael Johnson - 1 star - I couldn't finish "Hug Piggy and the Magical Cover". The writing was juvenile and lacked creativity. The plot felt disjointed and lacked any real substance. It was hard to connect with the characters as they seemed flat and uninteresting. The book overall felt like a poorly executed attempt at a magical adventure. I would not recommend it.