Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
HarperTeen (2005), Edition: Reprint, Paperback, 192 pages
Description
A teenage boy and girl, high school sophomores from unhappy homes, tell of their bizarre relationship with an old man.
User reviews
LibraryThing member mthelibrarian
8th grade reading in my son's English class. He mentioned that he was surprised the school allowed it, so therefore I had to try it. He really liked the book, and I would like to be a fly on the wall to listen to class discussions about the many teen issues it raises.
LibraryThing member br13vike
“A most unusual friendship” it says on the back cover of Paul Zindel’s The Pigman and indeed it was. It was unusual, crazy, heartbreaking, heartwarming, exciting, and most of all it was absolutely amazing. It was full of ups and downs, twists and turns and there wasn’t one moment that it
In the book John and Lorraine, two sophomores decided to play a practical joke on an old man named the Angelo Pignati, but the joke goes differently than the two expected and they be come great friends with the old man. Eventually they become more comfortable around the Mr. Pignati than around their own parents, but only a few months after they met, Mr.Pignati dies an unexpected death. So John and Lorraine share the story they don’t want to let go of. They tell the story of the extraordinary friendship they shared with Mr. Pignati. They tell the story of the strong love and compassion they felt towards him and each other. They even tell the story of the secrets they kept from him and the secrets he kept from them. They also tell the story of the backstabbing that caused havoc and a scarred friendship. And I can’t forget the story of baboons and the pigs that he kept close to his heart. And most importantly they tell the story of the Pigman and how he changed their lives forever.
This book was one of the best books I have ever read, it tugged on my heartstrings and my emotions. It also made me feel emotions much deeper than other books I have read. It has such an interesting and crazy plot that with each ending chapter it made me wonder what’s going to happen next, and most of the time it was something that I never expected. Something that was interesting and that made me love the book even more was that John and Lorraine were such different characters that when they switched perspectives each chapter it was like reading a whole different story. But the one thing that really made me love the book, the thing that sealed the deal for me, was that every word, every paragraph, and every chapter was so well written that you felt like you diving into the book and living every moment like you were there.
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didn’t make me feel an emotion with such intensity, that I thought I was there. In the book John and Lorraine, two sophomores decided to play a practical joke on an old man named the Angelo Pignati, but the joke goes differently than the two expected and they be come great friends with the old man. Eventually they become more comfortable around the Mr. Pignati than around their own parents, but only a few months after they met, Mr.Pignati dies an unexpected death. So John and Lorraine share the story they don’t want to let go of. They tell the story of the extraordinary friendship they shared with Mr. Pignati. They tell the story of the strong love and compassion they felt towards him and each other. They even tell the story of the secrets they kept from him and the secrets he kept from them. They also tell the story of the backstabbing that caused havoc and a scarred friendship. And I can’t forget the story of baboons and the pigs that he kept close to his heart. And most importantly they tell the story of the Pigman and how he changed their lives forever.
This book was one of the best books I have ever read, it tugged on my heartstrings and my emotions. It also made me feel emotions much deeper than other books I have read. It has such an interesting and crazy plot that with each ending chapter it made me wonder what’s going to happen next, and most of the time it was something that I never expected. Something that was interesting and that made me love the book even more was that John and Lorraine were such different characters that when they switched perspectives each chapter it was like reading a whole different story. But the one thing that really made me love the book, the thing that sealed the deal for me, was that every word, every paragraph, and every chapter was so well written that you felt like you diving into the book and living every moment like you were there.
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LibraryThing member benuathanasia
I was forced to read this in eighth grade. I didn't like any of the characters and the plot was very typical of the time in which it was written.
LibraryThing member mummybattle
I had a copy of The Pigman on my bookshelf for years. For some reason, perhaps because it’s a small paperback, easily overlooked, I never got around to reading it. A shame, really, because this is one of the finest books about adolescent pain and confusion I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
A card she calls me, which sounds ridiculous coming out of the mouth of an old-maid English teacher who’s practically fifty years old. I really hate it when a teacher has to show that she isn’t behind the times by using some expression which sounds so up-to-date you know for sure she’s behind the times...In fact, the thing Lorraine and I liked best about the Pigman was that he didn’t go around saying we were cards or jazzy or cool or hip. He said we were delightful, and if there’s one way to show how much you’re not trying to make believe you’re not behind the times, it’s to go around saying people are delightful (p.14).
I really can’t recommend this book highly enough.
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Zindel’s book tells the story of John Conlan, a brooding, troubled young man with an alcoholic father and a gift for blowing up high school toilets, and his best friend, Lorraine Jensen, an intelligent, somewhat homely girl, whose own mother is largely absent from her life. One night, while making prank calls, they end up on the phone with a weird old neighbor, Mr. Angelo Pignati (the Pigman). A relationship soon develops between the trio that is difficult to describe and impossible to forget, which is probably for the best—to reveal more would be giving away too much. One of the first novels to fall squarely into the newly emerging field of Young Adult literature, The Pigman has lost none of its power in the over 40 years since it was published. This short excerpt is a vivid example of Zindel’s gifts as an author fully capable of navigating the complexities of the adolescent mind with great compassion, humor, and insight:A card she calls me, which sounds ridiculous coming out of the mouth of an old-maid English teacher who’s practically fifty years old. I really hate it when a teacher has to show that she isn’t behind the times by using some expression which sounds so up-to-date you know for sure she’s behind the times...In fact, the thing Lorraine and I liked best about the Pigman was that he didn’t go around saying we were cards or jazzy or cool or hip. He said we were delightful, and if there’s one way to show how much you’re not trying to make believe you’re not behind the times, it’s to go around saying people are delightful (p.14).
I really can’t recommend this book highly enough.
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LibraryThing member 1morechapter
I read this title for Banned Books Week and also because I needed a ‘Z’ author. It’s an older book, written in 1968, so the content may have been a little more shocking back then, but really, I’m as conservative as they come, and I don’t have a problem with it at all. Yes, there is
I always like stories that show how strong bonds can be made with those you don’t expect — especially if you don’t have those strong bonds in your own family life. After John and Lorraine meet 50-ish Mr. Pignati, the three of them start spending more and more time together. At first the teenagers are a little embarassed by Mr. Pignati, who has a childlikeness to him, but soon the threesome are fast friends. Sadly, it’s the teenagers’ own immaturity that ends up threatening the friendship.
Recommended
(1968, 182 pp.)
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defiance of authority and alcohol reference, but with what our kids have to deal with in today’s world, this book is very mild in comparison. It’s actually a very poignant book.I always like stories that show how strong bonds can be made with those you don’t expect — especially if you don’t have those strong bonds in your own family life. After John and Lorraine meet 50-ish Mr. Pignati, the three of them start spending more and more time together. At first the teenagers are a little embarassed by Mr. Pignati, who has a childlikeness to him, but soon the threesome are fast friends. Sadly, it’s the teenagers’ own immaturity that ends up threatening the friendship.
Recommended
(1968, 182 pp.)
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LibraryThing member REINADECOPIAYPEGA
I first read this book over 40 years ago when I was a tween and a massive reader. I often sat out on the porch with my face buried in a book, and not very much has changed since the 70s. I loved Paul Zindel and read all his available books at the time, along with Judy Blume.
It is quite a different
I felt so keenly what he must have felt like to see so many of his things and memories destroyed, after being so lonely for so long, by two teens he befriends. He must have felt it was the ultimate betrayal.
The ending is very very sad, not because of death, but that one can die and the only friend on earth that the person has is an orangatan at the zoo.
As I have no family, husband or children and at my current age, I bristled a bit, before feeling a few teardrops fall.
It is quite a different
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experience reading the same thing @ age 55. It affected me much more now than then, as now it is very close to the bone, as the "Pigman" is referred to as ' an old man ' when he is in his late 50s, so just a few years older than myself.I felt so keenly what he must have felt like to see so many of his things and memories destroyed, after being so lonely for so long, by two teens he befriends. He must have felt it was the ultimate betrayal.
The ending is very very sad, not because of death, but that one can die and the only friend on earth that the person has is an orangatan at the zoo.
As I have no family, husband or children and at my current age, I bristled a bit, before feeling a few teardrops fall.
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LibraryThing member EdGoldberg
SPOILER
John and Lorraine come from dysfunctional homes. Her mother is obsessed with sexual predators. His father, BORE, is a stuffed shirt, always ragging on him. His mother, the Old Lady, is a clean freak. His brother, Kenneth is the ideal child.
John and Lorraine, along with their friends Dennis
He welcomes them and shows them around. Says his wife is visiting her sister in California. Shows them his room full of ceramic pigs.
The next day they join him on a trip to the zoo where he visits, feeds and talks to Bobo the baboon. This is first of many excursions over several months, one of them to Beekman's Department Store where he buys them each roller skates.
One day they're horsing around on the skates in the house and Pignati has a heart attack. While in the hospital, the kids have a party, during which Norton steals an oscilloscope and breaks the pigs, looking for money. It happens to be on the night Pignati returns home. The house is a mess. John and Norton are fighting. Lorraine and her friend Helen are wearing Ms. Pignati's dresses. John passes out, drunk. An all around disaster.
A day or two later, John & Lorraine call Mr. Pignati and he begrudgingly agrees to meet at the zoo. They realize how poorly he looks. At the ape house, they find out Bobo has died of pneumonia. Pignati gasps and falls down dead.
The Pigman is interesting on so many levels. John and Lorraine narrate every other chapter. It's stream of consciousness--they talk about the cemetary where they go to drink, about their parents who rag on them but never encourage them, about their friends. John wants to be an actor and Lorraine a writer. John is a deep thinker though. It is he who, lying on top of a grave, wonders what life is about and what happens after--you do merely decay.
It is John, at the end, who thinks about whether they used Pignati or Pignati used them. He thinks about living a life of loneliness, about how Mr. & Ms. Pignati seemed to have something special (unlike his own parents). He thinks about how sad it is to live your life with only a baboon to talk to. Deep thoughts for a supposedly shallow kid.
While it may not be edgy for 2010, for 1967 The Pigman broke new ground. Definitely worth reading.
John and Lorraine come from dysfunctional homes. Her mother is obsessed with sexual predators. His father, BORE, is a stuffed shirt, always ragging on him. His mother, the Old Lady, is a clean freak. His brother, Kenneth is the ideal child.
John and Lorraine, along with their friends Dennis
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and Norton (John and Norton hate each other), play a game where they cold call and see how long they can keep the party on the phone. Lorraine calls Mr. Pignati under the pretense of soliciting for the J & L Charity. He volunteers to contribute and the next day they go to his house.He welcomes them and shows them around. Says his wife is visiting her sister in California. Shows them his room full of ceramic pigs.
The next day they join him on a trip to the zoo where he visits, feeds and talks to Bobo the baboon. This is first of many excursions over several months, one of them to Beekman's Department Store where he buys them each roller skates.
One day they're horsing around on the skates in the house and Pignati has a heart attack. While in the hospital, the kids have a party, during which Norton steals an oscilloscope and breaks the pigs, looking for money. It happens to be on the night Pignati returns home. The house is a mess. John and Norton are fighting. Lorraine and her friend Helen are wearing Ms. Pignati's dresses. John passes out, drunk. An all around disaster.
A day or two later, John & Lorraine call Mr. Pignati and he begrudgingly agrees to meet at the zoo. They realize how poorly he looks. At the ape house, they find out Bobo has died of pneumonia. Pignati gasps and falls down dead.
The Pigman is interesting on so many levels. John and Lorraine narrate every other chapter. It's stream of consciousness--they talk about the cemetary where they go to drink, about their parents who rag on them but never encourage them, about their friends. John wants to be an actor and Lorraine a writer. John is a deep thinker though. It is he who, lying on top of a grave, wonders what life is about and what happens after--you do merely decay.
It is John, at the end, who thinks about whether they used Pignati or Pignati used them. He thinks about living a life of loneliness, about how Mr. & Ms. Pignati seemed to have something special (unlike his own parents). He thinks about how sad it is to live your life with only a baboon to talk to. Deep thoughts for a supposedly shallow kid.
While it may not be edgy for 2010, for 1967 The Pigman broke new ground. Definitely worth reading.
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LibraryThing member ranaemathias
Zindel, Paul. (2006). The Pigman: a novel. New York: Bantam Books.
This haunting story explores the relationship between two teens and a lonely old man. What starts out as a prank to scam money from Mr. Pignati, evolves into a friendship between the three characters. Its uniqueness is in a
Another book written about this same time, is The Outsiders (1967). These two stories share similar themes of friendship and growing up.
This haunting story explores the relationship between two teens and a lonely old man. What starts out as a prank to scam money from Mr. Pignati, evolves into a friendship between the three characters. Its uniqueness is in a
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narration style which alternates between the two main characters (the teens, John and Lorraine) every other chapter. What impressed me was the realistic way the author portrayed the troubled teens and did not end the story on a happy note. Real people face real tragedies everyday. This story deeply explores this theme. It leaves the reader hanging, with the possibility of a sequel.Another book written about this same time, is The Outsiders (1967). These two stories share similar themes of friendship and growing up.
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LibraryThing member Nmaki
Really good book, reccomend it to everyone
LibraryThing member mom_mom
Teen book written in 1968. Out dated for today's youth unless read as a class
LibraryThing member irishwasherwoman
John and Loarraine, high school sophomores, have less than ideal homelives and are bored with school. Through a telephone prank they meet Mr. Angelo Pignati, "The Pigman," who also is a rather pathetic character. John and Lorrain misrepresent themselves as does "The Pigman." Yet, each becomes
The author alternates between Lorraine and John to relate their stories and the sad consequences of a friendship betrayed.
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important in the life of the others. John and Lorraine are caught between childhood and adulthood. Mr. Pignati is their medium between the two, at once treating them as equals, but spoiling them like a rich uncle. The author alternates between Lorraine and John to relate their stories and the sad consequences of a friendship betrayed.
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LibraryThing member meggyweg
It's amazing how this book manages to be so dark without having any murders or anything in it. The characters were very real to me, especially Mr. Pignati -- I could feel his grief and his loneliness like it was my own. The climax seemed inevitable (which takes a lot more skill than you'd think)
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and, even more impressive, the book was very timeless. It was written in the 1960s but, except for a few minor details, it could have taken place yesterday. No wonder this is a youth classic. Show Less
LibraryThing member ahooper04
Strange story about two teens who become friends with an older man. They learn more about who they are and grow up as a result. Creatively written from both of their perspectives.
LibraryThing member ewyatt
John Conlan and Lorraine are an unusual pair of friends drawn together by their difficult lives at home. When they con Mr. Angelo Pignati "the Pigman" for $10 for a fake charity, they feel badly for the lonely man and begin to strike up a friendship with him. The threesome have many outings and
Are they taking advantage of him? Have they learned anything from their friendship and getting to know the Pigman? What life lessons will they take away from his life?
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zany antics. Are they taking advantage of him? Have they learned anything from their friendship and getting to know the Pigman? What life lessons will they take away from his life?
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LibraryThing member educ318
This book is full of humor and just enough suspense to keep the reader interested. The lingo the author uses in this story is also attractive to young students.
Katy Arnson, Fall 2010
Katy Arnson, Fall 2010
LibraryThing member jmoncton
When high school students John and Lorraine call Mr. Pignati on a crank phone call, they are expecting just some the usual laughs from a juvenile prank. But instead, an unusual friendship develops between this lonely man and these kids. I had read this many years ago in high school and didn't
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remember that many of the details, but knew that it was a book that I enjoyed and resonated with me at the time. I listened to the audio version with my 13-year old and really enjoyed it. Although parts of the book are dated, the struggle and emotions of these two teen age kids felt authentic and timeless. Good story! Show Less
LibraryThing member jyasinchuk
Alternating as chapter narrators, we learn a great deal about teenagers John and Lorraine. We learn that they both come from dysfunctional homes, both have big dreams (John an actor and Lorraine a writer), and both develop a relationship with the widower, Mr. Pignati. This seems like one of those
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books that appears to be as relevant to teens today as thirty years ago. Drugs, alcohol, peer pressure, and tragedy--the teenager of today. Show Less
LibraryThing member nzfj
Library Thing Part D #1 Popular Realistic Fiction
Print.Paul Zindel (author)The Pigman Charlie McWade (reader) May 2009 4.5hr. Graymalkin, playaway.
Even though The Pigman was written in 1968, the audio production is fantastic. Eden Riegel as the voice of Lorraine and mothers, Charlie McWade as the
Print.Paul Zindel (author)The Pigman Charlie McWade (reader) May 2009 4.5hr. Graymalkin, playaway.
Even though The Pigman was written in 1968, the audio production is fantastic. Eden Riegel as the voice of Lorraine and mothers, Charlie McWade as the
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voice of John and Mr. Pignati and Mr. Conlan bring this novel to current accessibility. John and Lorraine are in high school, bright intelligent kids, and somewhat the oddballs, definitely not popular, but that doesn’t stop John from being a class and school prankster. The novel honestly portrays problems and issues a teen faces growing up in today’s world. Lorraine’s mother’s frequent criticisms directed toward her physical appearance and even to the point of telling her daughter she has to make up for her plain and not pretty face. Although Lorraine is aware of her inferiorities and poor self-image she still understands and feels her mother’s love and dependence on her. John’s family is financially better off than Lorraine’s mom, but John doesn’t feel welcomed or nurtured in the least at his home. His parents compare him to his older successful brother and continually voice their disappointments of John. In the light of such harping, John’s humorous and poignant responses and thoughts concerning his family and school life is very apropos to today’s upper elementary and middle school student. The back and forth voices of both readers is what really engages a listener and reader. Reading along with the audio would be preferred and that much more give a real time presence. The characters are definitely credible and convincing for today’s youth. The growing relationship with Mr. Pignati is believable and it’s this relationship that introduces compassion, warmth, death, and loss for Lorraine and John. Discussion about death is batted around through Lorraine’s mother’s retelling and perspective of her dying patients and through John’s frequent visits to the cemetery with his friends. But the idea of preparing for a funeral and death really makes an impression on the characters when John finds Mrs. Pignati’s funeral bill and the paper work given to the deceased’s family. The final and universal awareness of loss, that death brings to the survivor’s loved ones is when Bobo the baboon (Mr.Pignanti’s favorite zoo animal) is gone from his cage and the attendant gives them the news and then minutes later Mr. Pignati has a heart attack and dies right there with both kids. A powerful expected ending but still because the characters and setting are so engaging one cannot believe it actually happened. This title is a definite must for a library collection; especially with the audio or playaway production. Curriculum connection Language Arts upper elementary and middle school +. Show Less
LibraryThing member Zmrzlina
I read this book when I was about 13. It became a favorite book and one that I will never forget. The story of two lonely teens who meet an unusual adult could have taken a sweet route, however, it doesn't. It is a gritty story that I think is as relevant today as it was in 1967 when first
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published. Show Less
LibraryThing member DubaiReader
A children's classic.
The Pigman was written in 1968, over 40years ago! Yet it still has relevance today. OK there are no mobile phones, but John and Lorraine still have to deal with drink, drugs, dysfunctional parents and boring school life, very much like today's children.
The Pigman is a sad old
What happens next could have been prevented but at least the characters involved have consciences and the book has a certain moral approach. In fact, with the addition of a few updates, this could be sold to toady's teenagers. As it is, it also provides an insight into the similarities of life nearly half a century ago - when the world was black-and-white.
Worth a read.
The Pigman was written in 1968, over 40years ago! Yet it still has relevance today. OK there are no mobile phones, but John and Lorraine still have to deal with drink, drugs, dysfunctional parents and boring school life, very much like today's children.
The Pigman is a sad old
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man. His wife has died but he's living in denial. He's so lonely that his best friend is a gorilla in the local zoo. So, when John and Lorraine ring him up on a prank call he leaps at the opportunity of personal contact and a friendship is born.What happens next could have been prevented but at least the characters involved have consciences and the book has a certain moral approach. In fact, with the addition of a few updates, this could be sold to toady's teenagers. As it is, it also provides an insight into the similarities of life nearly half a century ago - when the world was black-and-white.
Worth a read.
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LibraryThing member manatree
Don't know what made me think of Mrs. Chatterton, my 6th grade English teacher at Sunbury Middle School, but once I did, I had to go and re-read "The Pigman," which was my favorite book that she had us read that year. I was surprised to find it darker than I had remembered. John Conlan is a Holden
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Caulfield in training and quite a little prick. Wish I had my book report from back then because I'd love to compare my thoughts then and now. Show Less
LibraryThing member 4sarad
I was told this was a classic... my school has a class set of it and all the kids end up reading it... but I just didn't get it. It was old and aged and just felt really boring. I couldn't get into it. The ending was so didactic... I just really didn't like anything about it.
LibraryThing member bigsmileu1
Excellent book where the main characters narrative chapters.
LibraryThing member bmozanich
The Pigman was easy to read and fairly engaging. I didn't have trouble sticking with the story, but I did I find this book somewhat dated. It was difficult to relate to the characters, John and Lorraine, a lot of the time. I'm not sure that today's teens would relate any better than I did. I wonder
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if YA readers would have enough background knowledge to understand the phone references or the shopping trip, for instance. The story is depressing - in the unhappiness of John and Lorraine, the dysfunctional families, the desperation of Mr. Pignati for human contact, and the death of The Pigman. I thought the idea of alternating the narrator was effective and allowed the reader to understand the characters' different perspectives. Show Less
LibraryThing member br13aldu
Alexis Dubovick- SWAG
The Pigman Book Review
Final Draft
9/14/12
The Pigman
By: Paul Zindel
Paul Zindel’s powerful novel, “The Pigman” is a duel narration between friends John and Lorraine sharing their story about their friend Angelo Pignati, aka “The Pigman”. Their friendship sprang from a
Visit after visit, the three get closer and closer until they form a bond that is unbreakable. The Pigman is old and alone, and the best friends to everything together. However, one heart wrenching twist of fate will leave you hanging when it all almost crashes down around them.
This book is one of the best I’ve ever read because Paul Zindel uses perfect literary terms, beautiful descriptions, and vivid imagery that lets you see each and every detail as if it was your own life. I can honestly say I enjoyed every aspect of this book and I couldn’t find any let downs. There was nothing I didn’t like about it. “The Pigman” was five star in all areas! At some point I think everyone should read this amazing book. Paul Zindel knows how to create magic with just strokes of a pen. He knows how to write a novel and this is one of his best. If you like to be entertained, this book is for you!
The Pigman Book Review
Final Draft
9/14/12
The Pigman
By: Paul Zindel
Paul Zindel’s powerful novel, “The Pigman” is a duel narration between friends John and Lorraine sharing their story about their friend Angelo Pignati, aka “The Pigman”. Their friendship sprang from a
Show More
prank call, a practical joke, a nothing. Ever since that night, The Pigman would be a significant part of their lives; they just didn’t know it yet.Visit after visit, the three get closer and closer until they form a bond that is unbreakable. The Pigman is old and alone, and the best friends to everything together. However, one heart wrenching twist of fate will leave you hanging when it all almost crashes down around them.
This book is one of the best I’ve ever read because Paul Zindel uses perfect literary terms, beautiful descriptions, and vivid imagery that lets you see each and every detail as if it was your own life. I can honestly say I enjoyed every aspect of this book and I couldn’t find any let downs. There was nothing I didn’t like about it. “The Pigman” was five star in all areas! At some point I think everyone should read this amazing book. Paul Zindel knows how to create magic with just strokes of a pen. He knows how to write a novel and this is one of his best. If you like to be entertained, this book is for you!
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Awards
Original publication date
1968-10-09
Physical description
192 p.; 6.72 inches
ISBN
0060757353 / 9780060757359
Other editions
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