What is unique about this play is that while most plays take a controversial look at an aspect of society outside of the theatre, here the criticism is being mirrored back into the world of theatre, where a clever juxtapositioning of the performance and the back of the house is taking place. Using this device, the reader (and audience) is unclear what is most important in the world of theatre, the performance, or the power of nepotism etc.. Each character has a seperate reason for being involved in the theatre, be it for fame, love, popularity etc. and it is powerful especially as an artist to see these characters come clean and perhaps even save themselves from being devoured by the theatre by actually admitting their agendas to themselves and the rest of the cast.

I can't believe this is the same guy who writes teen-novels. This
is definetely not a book for kids between 10 and 15.

Not exactly the greatest story to come along, but I'm not going to forget who Zindel is. Very shocking imagery in this one, a perverse psychopath, and a dark look at life in Beverly Hills. It's a nice way to spend a few hours, but isn't for the weak of stomach or for shiny, happy people holding hands.

I found the cover of the Paperback version somewhat misleading,
claiming that the title character was hiding a "Terrible secret" and that society would be "shocked and hurt" by the revelations.
This was definitely a serious book, but Not the heavy mystery which the publisher (Bantam Starfire) proclaimed. The story is both humorous and pathetic--well worth reading, especially for
high school kids, who can relate to superficial conversations and disintegrating relationships with their parents.

Two sophomores who are misfits in some ways team up to play telephone pranks, which is how they meet Angelo Pignati (who
does not raise pigs). What starts out as a loony, harmless,scam changes into an important and fulfilling relationship for the three of them. One where it is safe and OK to do silly things--like roller skate through a department store--just for the the sheer joy of being alive and enjoying each other's wacky company. Emotionally-constricted at home, both John and Lorraine find exhilaration in the total acceptance of their personalities without criticism, reveling in this unexpected personal freedom.

Unfortunately they revel too much in the home of the Pigman (their private but respectful name for this gentle soul), who has been both liberal and trusting with his hospitality. The teenagers realize too late that things can go too far, when their adult friend pays the price for their selfishness and excess. This kindly middle-aged man helped set them free from social bondage--free to be themselves, accepted just as they are, but was the price too high for them all? Since when is Freedom really free? Liberty carried to extremes is License. A thoughtful read.

In my opinion the Pigman is a very sad book that could bring out strong emotion from any reader. This is not one of the books I would normally read but it did impress me. In my view the writers style was a little hard to follow in this book. John and Lorraine were actually writing the book, so either John or Lorraine writes one chapter and then the other person writes the following chapter. Sometimes it gets confusing because John for example , might think of something Lorraine left out in her chapter, so John inserts that later in the story. I would recommend "The Pigman" to young teenagers who enjoy reading emotional books. Someone who loves to read science-fiction novels and action stories would not like this book.

Two "social outcast" students get to know a lonely old man while playing a phone game with her friends. As it was just a joke to visit him at the beginning, his house becomes a second home and he himself kind of a grand-father for them. Their friendship gets deeper an deeper, until something horrible happens...

The book "The Pigman" by Paul Zindel is a great description about friendship between young and old and between boy and girl. Although the two different narrators who take turn with each chapter might be a bit confusing at the beginning, the style of writing is very good. The reader can identify with the main characters and does not lose interest in reading the book as there are always included little things that make him keep on reading. Moreover, the author describes precisely the family lives of the three main characters. In my opinion "The Pigman" is a really good book with which many people can identify and which is not too difficult to read as even non-native speakers are able to understand it.