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Long Pig

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Sister Angelina ranked with the lowest in her commune, despite being the priest's wife. After all, the position of priestess was already filled by a woman of great power. Angelina never questioned this. She never questioned the thrall in which her husband held her. She had no questions at all, until the brothers brought in a child whose spirit was too bright and who asked too many questions.

168 pages, Paperback

First published October 4, 2011

9 people want to read

About the author

Gloria Piper

8 books38 followers
When working in biology, I missed art. When working in art, I missed biology. It took a bout of multiple chemical sensitivities to limit me to writing. At last here was a niche in which I felt old-clothes comfortable. At last I could indulge all my interests, from art and science to nature and spirituality, from reality to fantasy. My most recent awards range from honorable mention to editor's choice for my science fiction and fantasy writing, which include Where the Sky Ends, Long Pig, and Train to Nowhere.

I grew up in the country and attended a country school. After high school, I car-pooled with my mother, older brother, and a kid from a neighboring farm to college. We were all students, and in those days, tuition cost less than $30 a semester.

More interested in freedom and adventure than an early marriage, I piled on the experiences, from teaching, doing farm work, directing a Christian ministry, working in Army research and development, care taking, and teaching martial arts.

Over the years, I discovered that aging is an interesting process. Your whole body heads south, and time either speeds up or you slow down. Features that were once unfinished are now full of character. More than youth, I value the wisdom gained, and the ability to say, "I know because I was there."

Presently I live in Northern California. Recently widowed, I treasure the memories of my husband of late years who thought I was the most beautiful lady he'd ever met and told me a hundred times a day in a hundred ways how much he loved me. Added to that love is a three-legged English Labrador.

Like my fb at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gloria...

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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Mike Robbins.
Author 9 books224 followers
February 10, 2015
Gloria Piper’s Long Pig starts with a young girl being brought to what appears to be a monastic institution, high in the mountains. A devotee is assigned to care for her. Bit by bit their relationship develops. But there is something wrong here: this isn’t a conventional monastery or a nunnery – it’s a cult. And the girl is not there willingly. Moreover there is something about the place that makes the reader very uneasy. As it turns out, that’s not wrong. This is a cult with a vile, filthy secret. The way it is unveiled will send shivers down your spine.

Piper describes Long Pig as a fantasy novella, but it could also be called a short thriller. It is indeed short – most people will read it in one long sitting – but the length works. Piper allows the horror of the cult to become apparent at just the right pace, with a light touch, so that it never strikes a false or absurd note. If the book were longer, that might not be the case. The number of characters is right for the book, and they are well developed; the plot development is even and sustained; and we’re told what we need to know but nothing more. Moreover the description of the cult, which is a farm, and its surroundings is rich and evocative; there’s no excessive detail, but I felt I was really there. This book feels, for the most part, just right.

Long Pig is great entertainment, but it also raises questions about the nature of cults, how people end up in them, and the abuses that can be hidden within them. Not least of these is the doctrine of eternal life, which is an established part of more than one compassionate religion, but can also be wilfully misused by those who seek the power of life and death over others. Another is that people who look too hard for something in which to believe, and do not analyse it when it is presented to them, can be dreadfully open to abuse. The author provides a brief afterword in which she says that she was a child of the 1960s, which didn’t end well for everyone. “Social movements abounded… Some pushed causes… [others] jumped off the bridge of responsibility into the ocean of drugs… Many poured themselves out in metaphysical movements – New Age, Hari Krishna, Self-Realization, Christian Charismatic Movement, Satan worship… Many crashed and drowned. Yet many resurfaced, born again. I was no exception.”

None of this is raised explicitly in the book, which has a strong narrative pace. It’s first and foremost a good story. If I did have a beef with this book, it was the ending – right at the end, one or two things did strike a slightly false note. To explain why would introduce a spoiler to this review, and I don’t think reviewers should do that; in any case, not all readers will feel the same way. But this, and a few other minor things about the writing, made me (after some thought) rate this book at four stars and not five. Also, readers should be aware that, in a few places, Long Pig is pretty gruesome. It’s not overdone, but might not be suitable for the easily disturbed.

The fact remains that Long Pig is a little gem; a short, sharp tour de force that uses the novella, or short novel, form really well. Don’t read this if you’re too prone to nightmares. Do read it if you want a short but well-judged thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat – and also, perhaps, raise broader questions about how people exercise power over each other and what the consequences can be.

The author kindly supplied an ebook for review purposes.
Profile Image for Darrell Nelson.
Author 17 books34 followers
July 7, 2015
I'm not really into fantasy, having said that I did enjoy this book. I found the fantasy aspects of this to be "just enough". The book focuses on Angelina a cult member whose placed in charge of a young, "recruit" Connie. This places her maternal instincts against her brainwashing.
It would be far to easy to get lost in these thoughts, but Gloria Piper stays with Angelina's thoughts just long enough to get us involved in the struggle, without it getting bogged down.
A good portion of the book is Angelina and Connie's trying to survive. Again it would be easy to get bogged down in the nitty-gritty problems of survival in the wild, but to me there was just enough focus on it to make me feel for the characters, without so much detail to turn me off.
Overall this book reminds me of the answer to the question, "How long should my book be?" As long as it needs to be, and no longer. If it were shorter, it would lack depth, if it were longer, it would suffer from lack of impact.
I was provided with a free copy for an honest review.
Profile Image for Bill Jacks.
Author 2 books8 followers
July 29, 2015
I wouldn’t label Long Pig a “fantasy” novella; I’d call it a short supernatural thriller dealing with cult religion—I suspect that’s not an actual category. The story begins with a slight fairy tale quality, but then clearly redefines itself as something more suspenseful. It’s original—a rarity these days—genuinely interesting, and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

As for the writing itself, it’s very well done. No sticking points; no head scratching. The author did a great job with word choice and flow. Dazzling prose takes a back seat to short, to-the-point sentences, as it should; the story itself is the star of the show.

Part of the appeal, for me, was the feeling of constantly progressing towards something, towards some truth, some riddle I couldn’t solve. The story does a great job of keeping a reader intrigued, while basically in the dark, but quite sure that they’ll soon be rewarded with some sort of revelation. The problem is…that doesn’t happen. Turns out there never was a riddle. The ending kind of deflates the entire story, for me at least.
Profile Image for Loralee.
Author 18 books118 followers
December 20, 2015
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Long Pig is a very intense and well written story. The conflict begins quickly, and immediately I found myself worried about Connie, (and about her mom as well) and hoping Angelina would finally overcome everything holding her back, and do the right thing. It was very tense in some places, and I was scared for Connie and Angelina, hoping it wouldn’t end badly for them. I liked how realistic it seemed, and how it helped me see how even honorable people can get caught up in crazy, abusive cults. The pacing was very well done, and the imagery as well.
Profile Image for Jesse Budi.
Author 1 book1 follower
January 26, 2016
This is a good one! I enjoyed going into the novella blind, so you may want to avoid any more of this review. I’ll wind up spoiling parts, and this story can be knocked out in under 90 minutes.

We begin with a young girl’s arrival to an isolated society. Our protagonist (Angelina) is instructed to watch over her. We soon get the sense something is wrong. The girl is not permitted to contact her mother, and she can’t remember how she wound up in the car that brought her here. But because we follow the limited perspective of Angelina, who is a willing participant in the commune (at least for now), we observe these creepy details in a perfectly natural, go-with-the-flow fashion. That’s part of the fun of the story. Things aren’t spelled out for us. We’re thrust into the middle of this world and left to figure out things on our own. Which may sound confusing, but it isn’t. The author ensures we see the dots we need to connect. She just never underestimates her reader’s intelligence by spelling out unnecessary details. This contributes to the read’s briskness.

And as it dawns on us that we’re involved with a cult operating outside the law, the creepy factor escalates. I absolutely love that we get supernatural elements in the story. This caught me off-guard. The cult members may be deranged, but they’re not altogether delusional. Their leaders are capable of actual magic. Which makes them even more terrifying when we find ourselves at their dinner table, eating alongside someone wearing a mask of human flesh.

The only criticism (minuscule) I can lob at the story is the ending, which felt too abrupt and overly sentimental. A tad more air to breathe would have been preferable.
Profile Image for E.M. Cooper.
Author 11 books47 followers
March 11, 2015
‘Long Pig’ is an original and powerful story that will chill and surprise readers. It’s a quirky cautionary tale that builds in intensity to a breathtaking climax.

Eterne Sanctuary is home to a religious farming community isolated in a hidden mountain site, an ’island in an ocean of forest'. When Brother Paul and Father William bring a young girl, Constance Lightner to the commune they insist she is lost, but Connie denies it. This sets the scene and tone for a macabre mystery that unfolds page by page with elements of horror and the paranormal. The men are shadowy and ill-defined which adds to their creepiness. Sister Angelina is Williams’ wife in an unconventional partnership. She believes she is under his power—either supernaturally or psychologically—you’re never quite sure which. Angelina takes young Connie under her wing and together they plot to escape their roles and ultimate destiny in this warped cult.

For those unfamiliar with the concept of the long pig, I won’t divulge its meaning or significance to spoil its impact in the story. Regardless, it will shock you and warn you off cults! Gloria Piper writes like an artist. Her narrative and descriptions are colourful and poetic with no extraneous thoughts or words. The story is harrowing, but I recommend it for adults who enjoy an original story, well told and beautifully written.
Author 9 books83 followers
January 23, 2016
Long Pig follows the story of a young girl, Connie, who is brought to a religious community after being supposedly “rescued” while wandering lost on a road. Angelina, one of the devotees and the Priest’s wife, is assigned to take care of her until her parents can be notified. But a sinister feeling overtakes the scene as the reader begins to see that all is not right here. Connie insists she wasn’t lost, that she was simply on her way to school when William, the commune’s Priest, picked her up. It soon becomes clear that Connie has actually been kidnapped and is being held for much more sinister purposes. But during Connie’s captivity, a bond starts to form between her and Angelina, causing the devotee to begin questioning aspects of her life at the commune.

Long Pig was a fantastic story that I couldn’t put down. The pacing was great, the characters believable, sympathetic, and engaging. This dark, yet captivating story will keep you turning pages well into the night. Eerily sinister, this story also has heartwarming moments that show the enduring strength of the human spirit in times of trial. Five stars!

* I was given a copy for review purposes.
Profile Image for K.S. Ferguson.
Author 7 books27 followers
February 5, 2015
This is the amazing and touching story of one woman's transformation from enthralled cult member to free citizen. While the cult practices a pretty awful ritual, I'm not sure that this book fits in the horror genre. There's conflict and suspense as Angelina and Connie see the cult for what it is and attempt their escape. Is William's influence over Angelina real, making this a fantasy? Or is it all in Angelina's head, placed there because of the brainwashing and shocking losses she's endured? It's an open question left for the reader to explore.

The work is definitely inspirational, and while the two main characters display faith, it doesn't push religion in the reader's face. I very much enjoyed this story and will be checking out other works from this accomplished author.

I received this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
Profile Image for Dermot Davis.
Author 16 books50 followers
January 2, 2016
Took a while for me to understand the nature of the circumstances and time period surrounding the main characters Angelina and Connie which intrigued my interest and kept me involved in the story which moved along at a very assured pace. In some ways the experiences of Angelina were perplexing in terms of figuring out what was real and what she was imagining, the effect producing a complex and mixed-up landscape of her inner world. The more that she felt responsible for the young girl, the more she strayed from her comfort zone and was soon entering dangerous territory as far as keeping within the rules of the "spiritual order." When it seemed that she was the one taking the risks to save the girl, it became apparent to me that perhaps it was the other way around and it was the young girl that was doing the saving.
Profile Image for Ted Farrar.
Author 1 book2 followers
February 20, 2015
REVIEW OF ‘LONG PIG’ by Gloria Piper
I loved this little novella. Not sure what genre I’d place it in – it’s not really horror as such. Neither is it a thriller or a mystery. Of course I knew what ‘Long Pig’ was before I read the book, so I sort-of thought I knew how the story would play out. But I played right into the author’s hands. She knew I knew, and she managed to throw a different ending into the mix. I’m glad she did, because anything else would have been a disappointment. I don’t want to spoil the read for anyone else so I won’t say any more. Gloria is an accomplished writer and her style is confident and effortless, so it’s a joy to read.
This is an honest assessment of a free review copy of ‘Long Pig’.
Profile Image for Melody Jerva.
Author 1 book13 followers
August 24, 2015
I enjoyed this novella. The main characters are Connie and Angelina. Connie was brought to the commune in which Angelina is a member. The author does a wonderful job weaving in details of the every day life of the cult members and the subtle evil that permeates. Once Angelina is all alone the story morphs into a gruesome tale of what truly lies beneath the surface of this seemingly peaceful commune. The friendship of the main characters is heartwarming and cannot be broken by the haunting visions that plague Angelina. Job well done to Ms. Piper. I would enjoy seeing what else she has in store for us.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest, non-reciprocal review.
286 reviews5 followers
February 19, 2015
Gloria weaves a great tale with elements of suspense, horror, sci-fi and magical realism. A child who was supposedly lost is taken to a remote religious commune where thing just don't seem quite right. She is put under the care of the wife of the cult's leader who comes to care for the child and with her knowledge of the child's future within the cult, starts questioning her role and responsibility within the group and towards this child. This is a short book that might be ideal for a plane trip or for an adult learning to read. It is simply and beautifully written.
Profile Image for Emma Jaye.
Author 50 books684 followers
July 1, 2015
Suspenseful and creepy, although there is a ghostly presence it isn't a main theme. The story follows Angelina as she moves from being completely in the thrall of a cult, where she is controlled by her husband spirit to a realisation of just how horrific her fellow devotees are. Her love and concern for a supposedly 'foundling' girl starts to to make chinks in the shroud of the cults control. The writing is engaging and suitably 'shiver' making, but I found the ending a little trite to give it five stars.
Profile Image for Ibiloye Christian.
Author 13 books21 followers
November 28, 2015
The Escape of the Long pig, Connie and Angelina!
According to the author, Gloria, "the 1960s and 70s provide the spirit for this story. It was a time of social ferment, when the young and the young at heart stormed the walls and ceiling of convention" for satisfaction, quest for metaphysical powers and search for fulfilment beyond material. Many crashed and were drown. Some became reborn, born again.
Long hair Connie Lightener, a Catholic girl from a very religious home was kidnapped through spell and brought to be indoctrinated and recruited as a devotee or be sacrificed in a commune (Eterne Sanctuary) headed by Father Williams and Priestess Mara, in an isolated cult settlement far from civilization.
She was entrusted to Angelina (enstranged wife to the most holy) and the two developed a strong emotional attachement, strength of the spirit and a stubborn desire for freedom, and reconection to their loved ones.
Angelina from Hanksburg, population of about three thousand. Why did she follow William when it was Larry LaPena she loved? Because he was poor? Kidnapped or was tricked,... that was not clear except she was under William's spell and attached to him through the engagement and wedding ring given to her. Her Dad was a minister, and she was raised in the Church. "Then she met William and was mesmerized by him and his unorthodox views." She eloped with William to join the commune as William 's wife.

The Holy Ones had required her to give up her baby for Spring Renewal, the first time she had ever heard of long pig. The cult cook and ate the foetus. Sister Travers, was the cook. The Hansel and Gretel witch, the papers had called her.
Sister Margaret, Sister Rose, Sister Elizabeth, Sister Susan…nearly all the women had sacrificed infants prematurely delivered by Mother Mara.
The death of Father William and the fear of the imminent death awaiting them spurred Angelina to escape with Connie. They risked death and other dangers in the bush and their long journey till by chance they came on Ursula who rescued both her and Ursula's daughter, Connie.
Mrs Ursula Lightener , Connie and Angelina then became bonded in an enduring friendship.
Police raided the commune (Eterne Sanctuary ) hideout, arrested and jail the cook and others but Mara and father Anthony escaped justice.
Forgiveness can truly bring peace of mind and recovery- resolved the reborns (Angelina and Connie)
A good story, thought provoking and almost a today's reality, the experience of most who opted for the so called cult religion, spell casting and devilish worship practices.
Got a copy for an honest and non reciprocal review, and is convinced to appreciate the creativity and the style of the author (also, the hard lessons the book taught ) with a five star.
The ending could be better written to remove the impression that it was rushed. A good epilogue is always appreciated.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews