Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #257305 in Books
• Published on: 2005-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
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."

Customer Reviews

A good "teenage" novel
"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.

This novel is a very inspiring novel for teenagers.
"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

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. Two kids make friends with a lonely old man, and everyone gets a great ride. Touching, funny, thoughtful, original and more than anything good hearted, this is a really great rites of passage sort of story.