The Pigman's Legacy [Paperback]

Paul Zindel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 29, 2005

The Pigman's return ...

Four months after the Pigman died, John and Lorraine are passing by their old friend's empty house when they receive the shock of their lives: An elderly man has taken up residence in the abandoned home. Convinced this down-and-out recluse is a sign from beyond the grave, John and Lorraine decide they've been given a chance to make up for what happened to the Pigman -- a chance to make things right, once and for all.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 8 Up—In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the publication of Paul Zindel's award-winning novel, The Pigman (HarperCollins, 1968), Zindel's son David has produced audiobook versions of The Pigman and The Pigman's Legacy (Harper, 1980). In the first title, as a result of a phone prank, high school sophomores John and Lorraine become friends with Mr. Pignati (the Pigman), an elderly widower. The conflicted teens feel alienated from everything, but the Pigman's enthusiasm for life soon spills over onto them. John and Lorraine go roller skating with their new friend, and he suffers a heart attack and is hospitalized. The teens have a party at the Pigman's house, and his pig collection and some of his late wife's clothes are destroyed. When Mr. Pignati comes home unexpectedly, he's distraught and feels betrayed by the teens. They try to make it up to him by taking him to the zoo, where he learns that his beloved gorilla, Bobo, has died. This trauma causes the Pigman to have a fatal heart attack. In The Pigman's Legacy, John and Lorraine discover that a homeless man is living in Mr. Pignati's abandoned house. Thinking that this is a chance for them to make up for what happened to the Pigman, they try to befriend the surly old man. After to Atlantic City to cheer up the man, they discover that the true legacy of the Pigman is love. Both stories are told in chapters that alternate between John and Lorraine's point of view, narrated by Charlie McWade and Eden Riegel who do an outstanding job of bringing the characters to life. An added bonus is a fascinating interview with Paul Zindel discussing his craft. These remarkable audiobooks, which still offer important messages to today's teens, are a must-have for high school and public libraries.—Kathy Miller, Baldwin High School Baldwin City, KS END --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

From the Publisher

The Pigman has been dead for four months when John and Lorraine visit his empty house-and discover a down-and-out old man on the run from the tax collector. Convinced he's a sign from beyond the grave, John and Lorraine decide they've been given a chance to make up for what happened to the Pigman. Suddenly they're deep in another zany adventure with a surprising old man. What the learn along the way is the Pigman's Legacy. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (March 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060759704
• ISBN-13: 978-0060759704
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #407,145 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars (4-1/2 stars) Even better than the first, May 30, 2002

By 

Anthony Rupert "shut up, Shut Up, SHUT UP!!!" (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pigman's Legacy (Mass Market Paperback)

The Pigman is one of my favorite books, so of course I was ecstatic when I discovered that Paul Zindel wrote a followup. And it turns out that The Pigman's Legacy is even better. John and Lorraine have now turned sixteen and continue on zany adventures, as well as discussing the pros and cons of their own life.

The only problem with this book is the same problem that came with the first book, and that is a very important outcome that is given away in the introduction (they call it "The Promise"). My suggestion is to skip the promise and go on with the rest of the book. You'll enjoy it.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bittersweet, January 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Pigman's Legacy (Mass Market Paperback)

This sequel couldn't quite surpass "The Pigman",but it came close. At first I didn't want to read it because the reviews made it sound boring,but trust me,it's not! It's happier and less melancholy than the first book. The kids have matured,especially John. It's spiced up by Zindel's usual wacky storyline and wonderful writing. He understands teens much better than most adults. I won't give away too much,but this novel involves more romance. Weirdness binds a motley crue of people,including John and Lorraine,of course. I wish she would've featured more prominently. It seemed that John "wrote" more chapters. (And why do they like old people so much?) For those who appreciate humor and seriousness,sadness and joy,I highly reccomend this book.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A moving story, for all lovers of the original Pigman., May 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Pigman's Legacy (Mass Market Paperback)

The sequal of "The Pigman" at first looks totally uncalled for, and has the same basic plot. But at a second look you will see that this book, still staring John and Lorranie, has the same moving emotianal plot. This time, changing charactor build. The "Pigman" of the story is a grumpy old man running from the IRS hiding in the Pigman's house. This is a complete change from the friendly, welcoming, old portraid in the original Pigman. It has the same good humor and charactors. Zindel, again, works the reader into a huge mess of couping with problems. This book, I would give a PG-13 rating. It deals more with Sex and drinking the the original Pigman. It goes up and down, from happy points, when the old man is having fun for the first time in a casino, to sad points, when John spends all the money the old man won. Be prepared to cry at the end, with the same type of sad ending. A exelent book for lovers of the original Pigman. WARNING: NOT TO BE READ, UNLESS YOU HAVE READ THE ORIGINAL!!!!!