The Crass Menagerie: A Pearls Before Swine Treasury [Paperback]

Stephan Pastis (Author)

Book Description

Series: Pearls Before Swine | Publication Date: April 1, 2008

"Pearls is the hottest comic in the newspaper business these days." --Raleigh News amd Observer

Named Best Comic Strip of the Year by the National Cartoonists Society in 2004 and 2007, Pearls Before Swine is regarded by fans and critics alike as a thoughtful commentary on humanity's pitiable plight.

Stephan Pastis sketches this nuanced comic strip tale, which features the arrogant, self-centered, and totally hilarious Rat, who leads his four-legged friends through misadventure after misadventure. Joining him for the journey are Pig, the slow but good-hearted conscience of the strip; Goat, the voice of reason that often goes unheard; and Zebra and the eternally inept Crocodiles who pursue him. Together this mindful menagerie mocks the flaws and shortcomings of human nature through Pastis's cynically biting wit.

• The third Pearls Before Swine treasury, this book combines all the cartoons from Da Brudderhood of Zeeba Zeeba Eata and The Sopratos, along with annotations by Pastis.
• From courtroom antics to references of other cartoon strips, Pastis's strip is a fresh presence on the comic pages.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stephan Pastis is a former attorney who turned his law school doodles into the witty characters that make up Pearls Before Swine. He lives with his family in northern California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing; Original edition (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0740771000
• ISBN-13: 978-0740771002
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #172,536 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stephan Pastis was once a "love me tender" lawyer who created Pearls Before Swine to relieve boredom. He lives in his own Graceland in northern California with his wife, two children, and his blue suede shoes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Price per cartoon, plus quality, makes this volume a bargain!, April 11, 2008

By 

R Schmidt (Honolulu, HI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Crass Menagerie: A Pearls Before Swine Treasury (Paperback)

Do you ever wonder what goes through a cartoonist's head (assuming they have one) when they concoct those cartoons? In the The Crass Menagerie, Pearls Before Swine cartoonist Stephan Pastis shares his thoughts, trials, and tribulations for many of his strips. Sometimes he feels he has to "tame" Rat's language. The snout and the accents of the Crocs evolve over time. Pastis enjoys sketching kitchen implements!

I spent the day reading a doctoral dissertation. This is just what I needed to unwind those brain cells afterwards (along with a micro-brew!).

Be warned! Pearls Before Swine is not an "in your face" comic. No graphic slapstick here; its humor is subtle, smooth, and slick. And if you don't care for it, a guard duck will be making a visit...

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Witness the Evolution From Good to Great, May 26, 2008

By 

tvtv3 "tvtv3" (Sorento, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Crass Menagerie: A Pearls Before Swine Treasury (Paperback)

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE has grown exponentially in just a few years from being a small, West Coast comic strip to becoming a national powerhouse and one of the best comic strips being published. The strips are sometimes edgy, often relevant, and always funny (even at their lamest). THE CRASS MENAGERIE is the latest collection of Pearls strips and includes about a year and a half's worth of strips. I'm not sure of the exact dates, but if my memory doesn't mistake me these strips ran from about the beginning of 2005 to the middle of 2006.

Many of the strips include notes and commentary by Pastis. Even if you own every other collection of PEARLS, this treasury is worth owning for the notes from Pastis alone. PEARLS BEFORE SWINE remains my favorite current running comic strip, but this collection includes some of my favorite strips of all time from the series, including Pig's remote-controlled heart and the short-lived new neighbor the Orca (Killer Whale). Also featured in this volume is the general physical evolution of the crocs; the introduction and evolution of guard duck from being a violent and somewhat psychotic bird to the best guard animal on the planet; Lil' Bear's trip out West to find the one man who could have united the country; the series about Pig's arch nemesis the anemone; the introduction of the miniature Vikings; Rat's adventures babysitting the BABY BLUES kids; and PEARLS attempt to crash Blondie's 75th Anniversary Party.

The end of the book includes a short section entitled "The Not Ready For Prime Time Comic". Featured are several comics that were either rejected and not published before as well as some strips as they were originally submitted before they had to be edited. There's also one strip that Pastis started but was never able to complete.

Overall, this is a great collection of PEARLS BEFORE SWINE strips and an item that any fan of the strip is sure to enjoy. Also recommended for people who just enjoy reading good comic strips.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great collestion by Pastis, March 23, 2008

By 

William G. Thearle "Entertainment Aficionado" (Scenery Hill, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Crass Menagerie: A Pearls Before Swine Treasury (Paperback)

Even if you own the two other books this one is still worth getting or the full color Sundays and his commentary on select strips, which are insightful as well as funny. Pearls Before Swine is the best comic in print today. (Clavin and Hobbes being the best ever in my opinion) You should pick this book up and if you like it check out his other treasuries. You won't be disappointed or your money back.*

*No guarantee on getting your money back.