One of a series of top-quality fiction for schools, this story explores the relationship between two streetwise teenagers and a harmless, eccentric old man with a predilection for pigs.
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The Pigman
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For sophomores John and Lorraine, the world feels meaningless; nothing is important. They certainly can never please their parents, and school is a chore. To pass the time, they play pranks on unsuspecting people. It's during one of these pranks that they meet the "Pigman"--a fat, balding old man with a zany smile plastered on his face. In spite of themselves, John and Lorraine soon find that they're caught up in Mr Pignati's zest for life. In fact, they become so involved that they begin to destroy the only corner of the world that's ever mattered to them. Originally published in 1968, this novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Paul Zindel still sings with sharp emotion as John and Lorraine come to realize that "Our life would be what we made of it--nothing more, nothing less."
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First Sentence
"Now, I don't like school, which you might say is one of the factors that got us involved with this old guy we nicknamed the Pigman." Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
"Now, I don't like school, which you might say is one of the factors that got us involved with this old guy we nicknamed the Pigman." Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By "soffl"
Format:Mass Market Paperback
"A teenage novel" - "A novel written for teenagers just like you"- This had already a deterrent effect on me. But "The Pigman" is different. When I started reading, full of suspicion, I got dragged - unwillingly- into its spell.
"The truth and nothing but the truth" - the book begins with an oath. The two narrators high school sophomores John and Lorraine weant to tell their story in what they call a memorial epic. Alternately, the two friends explain their situation, how they don't like school and have problems with their parents and with themselves. Doing prank calls in their free time, they get Mr Piganti on the line, and at first pretending to be charity people, the youths and the old man become friends. They nickname him the "Pigman", as he collects all sorts of pigs.
The novels language is, given the fact that two students tell the story, not very formal, but it's still natural. Especially the change of narrator gives a deep insight of the thoughts and emotions of the two main characters and about the development of the relationship with Mr Pignati. Tension is aroused and by using many images the author makes it interesting to read.
It's a sad story, but the themes like responsibility, trust, relationships between the old and the young and becoming adultsa would indeed interest young adults. It's a good book, so why only four stars? Well, it's just that it's not the best book I've ever read (there's still lord of the riongs to compete with*g*).
But don't let yourself get deterrd by "tenage novel" and read it. It'll be worth it.
"The truth and nothing but the truth" - the book begins with an oath. The two narrators high school sophomores John and Lorraine weant to tell their story in what they call a memorial epic. Alternately, the two friends explain their situation, how they don't like school and have problems with their parents and with themselves. Doing prank calls in their free time, they get Mr Piganti on the line, and at first pretending to be charity people, the youths and the old man become friends. They nickname him the "Pigman", as he collects all sorts of pigs.
The novels language is, given the fact that two students tell the story, not very formal, but it's still natural. Especially the change of narrator gives a deep insight of the thoughts and emotions of the two main characters and about the development of the relationship with Mr Pignati. Tension is aroused and by using many images the author makes it interesting to read.
It's a sad story, but the themes like responsibility, trust, relationships between the old and the young and becoming adultsa would indeed interest young adults. It's a good book, so why only four stars? Well, it's just that it's not the best book I've ever read (there's still lord of the riongs to compete with*g*).
But don't let yourself get deterrd by "tenage novel" and read it. It'll be worth it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
"The Pigman", by Paul Zindel, was written in 1968. The two characters in the novel, John and Lorriane, are teenagers who meet an old man, Mr.Pignati, by making crank phone calls.In the following days they begin to get very close to him after visiting his house a few times.Both realize how lonely but sweet he is and the novel continues on from there. This novel really interested me because I felt that teenagers could relate to John and Lorraine's problems.Teenagers in 1968 delt with the same problems that teens are facing now in 1999.Problems such as such as smoking drugs & cigarrettes, drinking alchohol and they are pressered into having sex also.I enjoyed this because it deals with problems of an everyday life of a teenager. Everything is realistic in this novel, especially the characters. Most teenagers do what John and Lorraine do in their spare time. Many teens have problems with their parents, they smoke drink and party like every other person. I liked the way Paul Zindel layed out the plot of the story. It wasn't too confusing or boring for me. He explained all the details clearly and I understood everything that happened. If I were to recommend this novel to anyone I htink it would be best for teens, but then again I think anyone would enjoy this book. Yours Sincerly, Donna Lethbridge
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Introduction Paul Zindel has written many books, but I will focus on The Pigman. The book is about two teenagers that had problems with their parents, and did unusual things, such as prank calls. John and Lorraine made a prank call to a man who was very lonely, his name was Mr.Pignati.
Plot
When the story opens, we see two teenagers, John and Lorraine who had troubled parents. Their parents didn't have a good influence on either one of the teens, so therefore they did things differently. John and his friends had set up prank calls to raise money for John's drinking and cigarette habits. In the process they made a call to a man who was very lonely, and he liked to talk a lot, and tell jokes. John and Lorraine went to visit the old man, but they knew there was something wrong with him because he was always happy about seeing people. They later found out that his wife had died, and the only friend that he had at the time was a caged baboon named Bobo. They became friends with Mr.Pignati but later they betrayed him.
Characters
The characters in this novel are realistic because it shows us what early teenage lives are all about in society.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I would recommend that teenagers and adults read this novel. I read this book in Braille, due to a vision impairment that I have, but I really enjoyed the book to the fullest. The story kept me in suspense, and I couldn't wait to keep reading to see what was going to happen next. If you would like to read a very enjoyable book with lots of suspense, then The Pigman book is the book that you should read. I hope that other people had so much fun reading this book as what I had.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
A lonley man with a big secret. One kid that want's to cheat him and one that want's to love him. Paul Zindel's novel is humourous & realistic. The characters in his novel describe how teenagers act these days. When the story opens John, Lorriane and Norton are playing pranks. They all learn that help them mature and change their lives. The plot is exciting, fast moving and the characters are humourous. Without telling you the whole storie, this novel brings up important facts about life. The Pigman is a good book that teaches some morals and should be read by all ages.
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3.8 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Book To Read
Hey, thats one of the best book I've ever read, it is good for teenage, I gave it four stars becauce some parts are confusing and hard to understand; but still it is one of the... Read more
Published on 13 Mar 2005 by Dandooona
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great - really makes you think
When I read this I was about thirteen and it made me think deeply about the shallow stuff in all the best ways. Read more
Published on 6 Sep 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
"It was a beautiful story"
"I've read exciting books before ,but I have never been more excited to finish a book that fast. Read more
Published on 31 Aug 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
A truly amazing book. It relates to how teens feel.
I just got done reading "the pigman" by Paul Zindel, for my Freshmen Honors English class. Read more
Published on 26 Aug 1999
4.0 out of 5 stars
It was the kind of book that kept me reading!
I would say that The Pigman was a very interesting book. It was a strange but good book. I would highly recomend it to anyone who wants a good read.
Published on 22 Aug 1999
3.0 out of 5 stars
It's a good book, just not for me . . .
This was a well written book. I can say that many people will benifit from reading it. There are certain parts in it, actually, that I almost cried during. Read more
Published on 16 Jun 1999
1.0 out of 5 stars
Plot Outline For kids in school who dont want to read it
This book was boring to say in the least. Any wayse here is what happens. 1.Exposition- John is a kid with bad parents and plays jokes on people, smokes and drinks. Read more
Published on 15 Jun 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read this book it is wicked exciting and COOL!
The book I'm reviewing is called "The Pigman" by Paul Zindel. This book involves a boy named John and a girl named Lorraine and a old man who they called The Pigman. Read more
Published on 9 Jun 1999
4.0 out of 5 stars
Unusually interesting
This was a good book, but the reason I only gave it 4 stars, is because it gets a little confusing during parts. It was kind of weird, like half real life, and half not. Read more
Published on 7 Jun 1999
4.0 out of 5 stars
This is a great book that everyone should read
I did a summary on the book The Pigman by Paul Zindel. It is a book about two kids who make friends with an old man. Read more
Published on 2 Jun 1999
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