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Kiss the Sunset Pig
By Laurie Gough

Reviewed by Terah Shelton

Using a 2,500 mile trip across the United States as a backdrop, author Laurie Gough reflects on her past life – one that included sleeping in a cave, conquering life, and living a fearless, carefree existence – in Kiss the Sunset Pig.

Over time, she has discovered things are no longer as clear as they use to be and she is not that free spirit who took risks. In order to try to rekindle that lost spark, she’s driving from Canada to California – headed toward the "other side of her life" – where she feels things will begin to make sense again.

Kiss the Sunset Pig is a brilliant
and engaging book that reels you
in with spunky dialogue

During her journey, she recalls adventures in Thailand, Greece, Sumatra, Yukon, and Korea. On the drive, she experiences humorous and awkward exchanges with a cast of characters including a woman she nicknamed Morticia, an overzealous border guard, and a hitchhiker. Her recollections showcase her gradual change of mind and attitude – from a wild, carefree girl who sleeps in cars, beaches, and caves – to a woman struggling to rekindle that spirit that has escaped her body, but not her memories.

Gough writes with a soft vulnerability – like a girl who can’t dance, but is the first person on the floor. Someone completely unaware of her wrong moves, awkward appearances, and crazy facial expressions, but willing to display her imperfections for the entire world to see. She puts the reader in her car – dubbed Marcia – for the entire ride. More than that, she connects with the reader with silent acceptance. You relate to her abrupt urgency and understand why she’s taking this journey, in this moment, at this time. You feel her dissatisfaction and share her memories. You feel a bond with her – much like the ones she encounters during her travels. By the end, you feel as if you have made this remarkable journey with her. But, more than with her, but with a friend.

Kiss the Sunset Pig is a brilliant and engaging book that reels you in with spunky dialogue, witty thoughts and careful observations, and, more importantly, creative and moving words. The idea of the book is to laugh, cry, or relate. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has lost a piece of themselves and is desperate to find it again.