By: Paul Zindel Publisher: HarperTeen Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: HarperTeen Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 192 Publication Date: April 01, 2005 Reading Level: Young Adult Release Date: March 29, 2005
When sophomores John and Lorraine played a practical joke a few months ago on a stranger named Angelo Pignati, they had no idea what they were starting. Virtually overnight, almost against their will, the two befriended the lonely old man; it wasn't long before they were more comfortable in his house than their own. But now Mr. Pignati is dead. And for John and Lorraine, the only way to find peace is to write down their friend's story -- the story of the Pigman.
Amazon.com: 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."
A touching if not altogether happy relationship. A few years ago my little sisters kept going on and on about this book, which they were reading for some English class or another. The book must have been introduced into the high school curriculum after my time. Finally, last week, whilst going through one sister's room, we stumbled upon her old copy ad I thought "hey, my sisters loved this book. Why not give it a try?"
And since I don't like to think of myself as a morose person obsessed with deep and depressing thoughts and sad stuff, I didn't think I would take to this book.
But Zindel's writing is grabbing and full of character even if outdated. That alone instantly drew me into the story, a surprisingly good one that relies more on the decisions of the characters than the force of Zindel's pen. His characters are real, and it was only garrish details of 60s life that reminded me that this was not in fact taking place in the contemporary age. I think that is a pretty good sign of a timeless story. These kids are probably now my parents' age but I think I related to them well when I was that age.
I guess the story appealed to the soft spot of my heart, for I am a sap like that. It never makes the cheese factor--instead it is a thoroughly honest story about friendship, growing up, and the choices we make. Yes, that makes some roll their eyes, but I will happily call those people cynics who are completely out of touch with humanity.
the pigman great book I thought the pigman was a great book i read it in class and i got done with it in a few days. But my other classmates took too long too read it soo iam a little fuzzy on the full story. Soo i'll just say what i remeber. The pigman is about two typical sophmores john and lorriane. who by accident meet Mr.Pignati a lonely old man. They tell about there experiences with Mr.Pignati till his death. They also tell about there experiences in there life with there parents and adults in there town. which eventually change there lifes. So overall its was great book to read i thought it was to short but it might be long for other people. soo i recommend this book too light teen readers or adults if they want to. i give this a Four Star and again Read this great book
This book was good How would you feel dwelling into some lonely man's personal life unexpectedly? That is exactly what best friends John Conlan and Lorrain Jenson ended up doing after a little phone prank created a relationship with a stranger. The Pigman is written from both John and Lorraine's perspective, written as a life record of these events. John and Lorraine are both sophomore students in Staten Island, New York, in the mid-1960s. John and Lorraine both don't have the best life, considering John's parents are money-hungry, while Lorraine's mom is single, trying to make a living. John and Lorraine faked being charity soliciters when Mr.Pignati agreed to give ten dollars into their "fund." Mr.Pignati, also called the Pigman, then enters their life as a friend, and as a father-like figure. What John and Lorraine both don't know is that what seems like a little party they throw at Mr.Pignati's house, really ends up being the cause for a serious let down in the Pigman's life, which could alter all of their relationships.
I thought Paul Zindel did a fabulous job of making me love the Pigman, and love the book. I think this book is for anyone. Paul Zindel combines two great elements, loneliness of the Pigman, and mystery, as readers try to discover the death of his wife, and other secrets along the way. These elements produce a sad but great outcome of this fiction book. The theme of The Pigman is dealing with parents, and the relationship with them, considering that John and Lorraine both don't have that great of parents.
I think Paul Zindel did a great job in writing The Pigman, and is by far anything but controversial. I am really looking forward to reading Paul Zindel's other books such as My Darling My Hamburger, and Miss Reardon Drinks a Little. This book has affected me a lot, and taught me not to take things for granted. I have learned something from this book, and I think everyone who has read this book has as well.
This book was good How would you feel dwelling into some lonely man's personal life unexpectedly? That is exactly what best friends John Conlan and Lorrain Jenson ended up doing after a little phone prank created a relationship with a stranger. The Pigman is written from both John and Lorraine's perspective, written as a life record of these events. John and Lorraine are both sophomore students in Staten Island, New York, in the mid-1960s. John and Lorraine both dont have the best life, considering John's parents are money-hungry, while Lorraine's mom is single, trying to make a living. John and Lorraine faked being charity soliciters when Mr.Pignati agreed to give ten dollars into their "fund". Mr.Pignati, also called the Pigman, then enters thier life as a friend, and as a father-like figure.
I thought Paul Zindel did a fabulous job of making me love the Pigman, and love the book. I think this book is for anyone. Paul Zindel combines two great elements, lonelyness of the Pigman, and mystery, as readers try to discover the death of his wife, and other secrets along the way. This produces a sad but great outcome of the book.The Pigman is a fiction book. The theme of The Pigman is dealing with parents, and the relationship with them, considering that John and Lorraine both don't have that great of parents.
I think Paul Zindel did a great job in writing The Pigman, and is by far anything but controversial. I am really looking forward to reading Paul Zindel's other books such as My Darling My Hamburger, and Miss Reardon Drinks a Little. This book has affected me a lot, and taught me not to take things for granted. I have learned something from this book, and I think everyone who has read this book have as well.
This book was good How would you feel dwelling into some lonely man's personal life unexpectedly? That is exactly what best friends John Conlan and Lorrain Jenson ended up doing after a little phone prank created a relationship with a stranger. The Pigman is written from both John and Lorraine's perspective, written as a life record of these events. John and Lorraine are both sophomore students in Staten Island, New York, in the mid-1960s. John and Lorraine both dont have the best life, considering John's parents are money-hungry, while Lorraine's mom is single, trying to make a living. John and Lorraine faked being charity soliciters when Mr.Pignati agreed to give ten dollars into their "fund". Mr.Pignati, also called the Pigman, then enters thier life as a friend, and as a father-like figure.
I thought Paul Zindel did a fabulous job of making me love the Pigman, and love the book. I think this book is for anyone. Paul Zindel combines two great elements, lonelyness of the Pigman, and mystery, as readers try to discover the death of his wife, and other secrets along the way. This produces a sad but great outcome of the book.The Pigman is a fiction book. The theme of The Pigman is dealing with parents, and the relationship with them, considering that John and Lorraine both don't have that great of parents.
I think Paul Zindel did a great job in writing The Pigman, and is by far anything but controversial. I am really looking forward to reading Paul Zindel's other books such as My Darling My Hamburger, and Miss Reardon Drinks a Little. This book has affected me a lot, and taught me not to take things for granted. I have learned something from this book, and I think everyone who has read this book have as well.
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