Interstellar Pig [Bargain Price] [Hardcover]

William Sleator (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 31, 1984

Barney is all set to spend two weeks doing nothing at his parents’ summer house. But then he meets the neighbors, and things start to get interesting. Zena, Manny, and Joe are not your average folks on vacation. In fact, Barney suspects they’re not from Earth at all. Not only are they physically perfect in every way, but they don’t seem to have jobs or permanent addresses, and they are addicted to a strange role-playing game called Interstellar Pig. As Barney finds himself sucked into their bizarre obsession, he begins to wonder if Interstellar Pig is just a game.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

PW noted that this "taut tale," about a boy's addiction to the eponymous game played by the odd trio next door, "will raise readers' hackles and incite nervous laughs." Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review

A riveting adventure.... Terrifyingly vivid, coupled with a high-flying sense of humor. (The New York Times Book Review) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 197 pages
• ISBN-10: 0525440984
• ASIN: B000H2MY7I
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,440,889 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interstellar Piglet, July 24, 2002

By 

Stephan Cano (St. Louis, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Interstellar Pig (Paperback)

I just read Interstellar Pig over the summer of 2002. I am 31 and thought that it would be a poorly written kids sci-fi book. Boy was I wrong. This is one of the most imaginitive sci-fi books I have ever read. I was surprised by the writing style and the ideas. There were numerous twists and turns. It's not just about aliens but about choices, about making quick snap decisions. Not necessarily a guide for life but still a good book for anyone to read. I really could not predict what was going to happen next. It has supsense, action, and at times it just makes you think about life, and about what it is we are here to do on earth. I wish it were longer, I wish he would have went more in depth but I was still very pleased.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interstellar Pig: Worthy of Keeping in A Golden Temple, July 12, 2005

By 

DannyV - See all my reviews

This review is from: Interstellar Pig (Paperback)

I first read this book at a young age. I re-read it at least once a year to rediscover it's brilliance. The plot is extremely original, and I think a lot of people will be able to relate to the main character's actions. It is richly developed and does not have a single page that does not have subtexts and foreshadowing-- little bits you discover as you read it again. I won't ruin the book, but there is a very good reason some of the characters seem shallow-- this is not due to bad writing, but to well thought out character traits-- which are simply brilliant once you understand them.

What also makes the book great is Barney(the main character)'s imagination. He himself is a science fiction fan and allows his thoughts to manifest themselves proving an exciting story-telling method.

The book comes to a terrific showdown. What makes it exciting is that the character is so real, and not a rambo-type person, but one you can relate to and his descisions. The book is exceptionally exciting and thought-provoking.

My entire family has read this book, and we all love it dearly. So much, we've even gone as far to create our own 'prototype' board game of Interstellar Pig, which we created by extracting every scrap of information we could from the book, and is a lot of fun to play because William Sleator obviously thought it out before writing the book.

All in all this is very likely my favorite book of all time, and I am drawn to the logic and of the characters, the high-tension sequences, and the well thought-out plot that seems to be lacking in many books today. William Sleator is without a doubt a very fine writer, and has crafted a book that is worthy of obsession.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating and original tale, April 25, 2003

By 

kaduzy - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Interstellar Pig (Paperback)

This book is great. It's all about Barney and the neighbors he meets one summer at the beach. They're mysterious people who apprear different to everyone who sees them and are oddly fascinated by the island not far from the their rented house . . . and a game called Interstellar Pig. When Barney becomes a player, he has no idea that the game he's getting into is real -- and possibly deadly! Fans should be sure to check out Sleator's other works, particularly Singularity and The Boxes. There's a sequel to this book called Parasite Pig that's worth a read, but don't buy it; check it out from the library; it's not that great. Definitely not Sleator's best. Another recommendation: when you read his books, it's best if you don't read the backs. That way you don't quite know what you're getting into and the plot comes as a surprise. If I had known what was coming in Interstellar Pig, I wouldn't have enjoyed it half as much.