Chapter 40 Summary: Dat zijn heel veel varkens
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
The morning after Hazel and Cam’s first night together, Zoey barges into Cam’s house and catches him cooking eggs naked. The secret is out. Later, Zoey presses Hazel about her writing and her feelings for Cam, pointing out that Hazel’s recent work has improved now that she’s no longer letting her ex-agent Jim control her narrative. Hazel insists she and Cam are only “exclusive sex” but Zoey sees a real relationship forming. After a near-miss with a van, Cam kidnaps Hazel to teach her how to drive his truck. When they return, the yard is filled with friends and a new barbecue Cam had delivered. The afternoon turns into an impromptu party. Cam and Hazel talk about building a deck and a wheelchair ramp for his sister. Hazel finally asks if they’re dating; Cam deflects but kisses her. The chapter closes with Cam sending everyone home so he can have Hazel to himself.
Key Events
- Zoey walks in on Cam cooking breakfast naked, exposing his relationship with Hazel.
- Zoey confronts Hazel about her renewed creative energy and pushes her to admit Cam is more than a fling.
- Hazel’s near-accident with a reversing van prompts Cam to force her behind the wheel of his truck for a driving lesson.
- Cam delivers a new barbecue to Hazel’s house and orchestrates a community cookout.
- During the party, Hazel agrees to consider adding a wheelchair ramp for Cam’s sister.
- Hazel directly asks Cam if they are dating; Cam avoids the label but his actions say otherwise.
Character Development
Hazel Hart
Hazel’s denial about her feelings for Cam is the central conflict of the chapter. She repeatedly calls him “sekskerel” (sex friend) but her actions—sleeping over, meeting his family, letting him rearrange her home—contradict her words. Her writing has returned to its pre-Jim quality, showing that her emotional healing is linked to Cam’s presence. She also begins imagining a future in Story Lake, complete with a deck and a ramp for someone else’s needs.
Cam Bishop
Cam’s protective side comes out when he pulls Hazel away from danger. He takes charge of her safety (the driving lesson) and her comfort (the barbecue). His casual mention of building a ramp reveals his long-term thinking about family and care, a side Hazel hasn’t seen before. He avoids the word “dating” but uses physical affection to reassure her.
Zoey
Zoey serves as Hazel’s reality check. She lays out the facts—spending the night, meeting family, cooking naked—and forces Hazel to see that she is already in a relationship. Zoey also celebrates Hazel’s creative rebound, confirming that Cam’s influence has been positive.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
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Homecoming and family
Cam’s vision for Hazel’s backyard—a deck with lights, a fire pit, a ramp—is a metaphor for building a shared life. The impromptu barbecue turns into a family gathering that includes neighbors, siblings, and even the mayor. -
Driving as control
Hazel’s fear of driving mirrors her reluctance to steer her own romantic life. Cam forces her to take the wheel literally and metaphorically, insisting she pay attention to where she’s going. -
Writing as recovery
Zoey confirms that Hazel’s writing is “pre-Jim” again—fast, funny, heartfelt. The chapter links Hazel’s artistic confidence to her personal freedom from Jim’s criticism and her emotional openness to Cam. -
The pig reference
The title “Dat zijn heel veel varkens” (That’s a lot of pigs) comes from Hazel’s fear of waking up one day with Cam, three kids, and seven pigs. It encapsulates her panic at the idea of domestic commitment—even as she begins to want it.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 40 is the pivot from a casual arrangement to an unacknowledged relationship. Hazel’s denial cracks when Zoey, then Cam, and finally her own imagination show her the domestic life she is already building. The barbecue scene—a spontaneous community feast—mirrors the earlier party scenes in the novel, but now Hazel is the host, not a guest. For the first time, she actively considers staying in Story Lake and making a home. Cam’s offer of a ramp for his sister foreshadows a deeper integration of their families. The chapter sets up the emotional stakes for the final third of the book: can Hazel let go of her fear of permanent ties?
Study Questions
1. How does Zoey’s intervention change Hazel’s understanding of her relationship with Cam?
Zoey lists the evidence—sleepovers, meeting family, cooking naked—that Hazel has been dismissing as casual. By naming it, Zoey forces Hazel to see the pattern even though Hazel verbally denies it. The chapter shows that Hazel is already in a relationship but not ready to admit it.
2. What does the driving lesson reveal about Cam’s character?
Cam insists Hazel drive his truck to teach her awareness and control. He critiques her posture and daydreaming, but he remains patient. His method shows he cares about her safety and wants her to be capable, not just dependent on him. The lesson is also a power exchange: he yields the wheel while still guiding her.
3. Why is the barbecue party a turning point for Hazel’s sense of belonging?
The party transforms her house into the neighborhood gathering place. Neighbors, friends, and family all show up. Hazel receives approval from Cam’s brothers, her best friend, and the mayor. The moment she imagines a deck with a ramp signals her subconscious commitment to staying in Story Lake long-term.