Yuri and the pig by C.W. Lovatt. From the best-selling author of the Charlie Smithers adventures

From the best-selling author of the Charlie Smithers adventures 

A farmer and his pig set off on an extraordinary quest across war-torn Eastern Europe.

Entangled in a savage war, the country of Xoraina is fighting for its very existence; but to Yuri, a simple peasant from a remote mountain village, it seems all but certain that the invading Zlaimperians must ultimately prevail. Not that it is of any consequence to him, of course. In Yuri’s view, every form of government is equally bad, so it makes very little difference who holds the reins of power. Indeed, throughout time, the only things that have ever really mattered are that the soil be tilled, the cows milked, and the pigs shipped to market, all in a timely fashion.

But when an exorbitant new tax threatens that philosophy, he sets off with his pig across the war-ravaged land to the Capital in order to fight the injustice. In the process, their journey becomes a road to a terrible enlightenment, causing Yuri to question his deeply seated beliefs. But only when he and his pig find themselves placed squarely in destiny’s path is there any hope of those questions finding answers.

Buy links:

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Goodreads / Facebook page

Bio: 

CW Lovatt is the award-winning author of the best-selling Charlie Smithers Collection and the critically acclaimed Josiah Stubb trilogy. He lives on the Canadian prairies and is the self-appointed Writer in Residence of Carroll, Manitoba (pop +/- 20). "Yuri & the Pig" is his latest novel.

EXCERPT (based on the current war in Ukraine):

Overview

 

This tale concerns two countries in Eastern Europe. One, Zlaimperia, is very large. The other country, Xoraina, is much smaller and is situated on Zlaimperia’s southern border. In times past, Zlaimperia was the core of a fearsome empire which, among many other countries, included Xoraina.

Now, also in times past – within the span of a lifetime ago – the Zlaimperian Empire was much weakened because of its struggle with the United States of America and her allies. Although still considered to be an empire by some, many of the vassal states, resentful of their Zlaimperian overlord, chose to go their own way, Xoraina being among them.

In the ensuing years, the divide between these two countries grew ever wider. Grasped in the iron fist of a dictator, Zlaimperia returned to its authoritarian roots. This dictator was known for his ruthless determination to cling to power, as well as his corruption. Xoraina, on the other hand, turned away from its past with Zlaimperia. Instead, they turned toward the western form of government that gave power to the people. In due course it began to prosper.

Now, the all-powerful Zlaimperian dictator lamented the lessening of what his country had once been and swore to regain those glories of the past. He also noticed that Xoraina had repudiated that past and embraced their old enemies in the West. Duly enraged by it, but he was also alarmed to have yet another democratic country on his border, especially a prosperous one, and this one most of all. To some degree, many in Zlaimperia and Xoraina shared a similar language and culture. Also, many people in Xoraina had friends and family in Zlaimperia, and vice versa. How long would it be, he wondered, before his own people, relating to life across the border, saw the benefits of democracy and wanted it for themselves? If such an unspeakable thing should occur, not only would it would be the end of all his dreams of returning Zlaimperia to its former glory, it would be the end of the dictator himself. Clearly, the status quo could not be tolerated. Therefore, girding the country in a blanket of lies, of how the erstwhile vassal state had now fallen victim to deplorable Nazis, he ordered his formidable military to invade Xoraina with two objectives in mind: to eradicate Xorainian democracy, and to absorb the country within a new Zlaimperian Empire.

However, having once tasted freedom, Xorainians were reluctant to surrender to the will of their old master. 

Instead, they chose to resist.