Lottie Hazell
- Dec 15, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 21
Lottie Hazell is a British writer, PhD scholar, and board-game designer whose debut novel Piglet (2024) blends food writing with an incisive look at ambition, betrayal, and class. Set in Oxford and London, the story follows Piglet, a cookbook editor engaged to a wealthy fiancé, whose life descends into turmoil when betrayal forces her to grapple with long-buried insecurities and emotional eating. Hazell’s academic research in contemporary literature and food writing enriches the novel’s vivid descriptions of eating and desire, making Piglet a powerful exploration of how we use food and the cultural expectations around it to define ourselves.
Lottie Hazell: Redefining Modern Storytelling Through Food, Fiction, and Identity
Lottie Hazell is a British author, literary scholar, and board game designer whose multifaceted career spans creative writing, academic research, and interactive design. Based in Warwickshire, England, Hazell’s work is defined by its exploration of identity, ambition, and the complex relationships women have with food, success, and self-worth.
Lottie Hazell's Academic and Creative Foundations
Hazell earned her PhD in Creative Writing from Loughborough University, where her doctoral research centered on food writing in twenty-first-century fiction. Her scholarly work examines how food serves as both a literal and symbolic narrative device, reflecting societal norms, personal desires, and the formation of identity.
This academic grounding deeply informs her creative writing, blending literary theory with emotionally resonant storytelling. Hazell’s ability to merge personal introspection with critical analysis allows her to craft narratives that are both compelling and thought-provoking.
Literary Career and Piglet
Hazell made her literary debut in early 2024 with Piglet, published by Doubleday in the UK and Henry Holt in the US. The novel introduces readers to Piglet, a London-based cookbook editor whose life unravels after her fiancé abruptly leaves her just weeks before their wedding. Devastated yet determined, she reevaluates her life while balancing a demanding job, personal insecurities, and a complicated relationship with food.
At its core, Piglet is more than a novel about heartbreak—it’s a rich, layered examination of how personal and professional identities intertwine. Food serves as a central metaphor, reflecting both the protagonist’s emotional state and her evolving sense of agency. Piglet’s journey becomes a meditation on desire, self-worth, and what it means to rebuild a life from scratch, both literally and figuratively.
Critical Acclaim and Reception
Piglet received critical acclaim upon publication, praised for its sharp, incisive prose and deeply relatable protagonist. The New York Times Book Review described the novel as "an elegant, razor-sharp debut about women's ambitions and appetites." At the same time, Elle magazine featured it among its "Best (and Most Anticipated) Fiction Books of 2024," calling the novel "delicious, in every sense of the word."
Reviewers have lauded Hazell’s ability to explore themes of gender, ambition, and identity without sacrificing narrative drive. Readers have found themselves drawn to Piglet’s struggles, triumphs, and deeply human complexities, making Piglet a standout literary debut of the year.
Expanding Creative Horizons
Beyond her literary achievements, Hazell has made her mark as a board game designer, utilizing her narrative skills to create interactive storytelling experiences. Her work in this space further reflects her innovative approach to crafting immersive experiences, blending play and storytelling in unexpected ways.
Her interest in narrative extends to community engagement as well. Hazell frequently speaks at literary events and university workshops, sharing her expertise on creative writing, narrative theory, and the intersections of literature and culture.
Looking Ahead
Lottie Hazell’s career defies traditional creative boundaries. By blending academic insight with emotionally resonant fiction and interactive design, she has established herself as a bold, interdisciplinary storyteller. Whether through the pages of her debut novel, the development of narrative-driven games, or her academic contributions, Hazell continuously pushes the boundaries of how stories can be told and experienced.
Her work invites readers and participants alike to reconsider how food, ambition, and personal identity shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. In Piglet, as in all of her creative endeavors, Hazell reveals that even life’s messiest moments can become something meaningful if we’re willing to embrace the chaos and keep creating.
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