The Pigman's Legacy

The Pigman #2

by Paul Zindel

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.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Teen, School

176 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1984

About the author

Paul Zindel was an American author, playwright and educator.

In 1964, he wrote The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, his first and most successful play. The play ran off-Broadway in 1970, and on Broadway in 1971. It won the 1971 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It was also made into a 1972 movie by 20th Century Fox. Charlotte Zolotow, then a vice-president at Harper & Row (now Harper-Collins) contacted him to writing for her book label. Zindel wrote 39 books, all of them aimed at children or young adults. Many of these were set in his home town of Staten Island, New York. They tended to be semi-autobiographical, focusing on teenage misfits with abusive or neglectful parents. Despite the often dark subject matter of his books, which deal with loneliness, loss, and the effects of abuse, they are also filled with humor. Many of his novels have wacky titles, such as My Darling, My Hamburger, or Confessions of A Teenage Baboon.

The Pigman, first published in 1968, is widely taught in American schools, and also made it on to the list of most frequently banned books in America in the 1990s, because of what some deem offensive language.

Reviews

[Love of Hopeless Causes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really missed my high school friends John and Lorraine so I had to see what pile of crap they'd stepped in next. This sequel is an emotional experience that hits some decent beats, but may prove difficult for the modern reader since the story points are Hollywood cliche today, when they wouldn't have been so apparent when published.
Sometimes you don't just step in the dog doo--sometimes it's so slick you end up on your own tuckus. It hurts, it stinks, and there isn't much to do except get up and try again. That's why I like the Pigman series.
Audiobook not recommended. They won't sound like the characters in your head.

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

spoilers: Absolute worst book ever, even worse than the first: how that is possible, I don't know, because the first was pretty bad. This book is just a heap of random: a hobo in the pigman's house, and a lunch lady - yawwwwn, wow, I'm not even captivated. And I don't find anything funny either. And then they get the old man fudge for some reason: because they're stupid pieces of crap who don't learn from the first time they killed an old man. So they hop in a car and drive around, and - that's about all they do for most of it, and it's incredibly boring - oh, and the guy sleeps. Then they meet the lunch lady who doesn't get much character development so I really don't understand who she is that well; and then, they all get in a car and go gambling! Yep, quite a party! An old hobo, a lunch lady, and two kids - a lunch lady, just letting two kids skip school! People wonder why I mock it? It's obvious. It's unrealistic. John loses all the money cause he's a piece of crap, and of course, Dolly and the hobo forgive him. Then the hobo has a heart attack. So predictable. Then, at the hospital, they kids are going to and fro trying to find a preacher so Dolly and the hobo guy can marry before the hobo guy dies. I really don't care because the character development is terrible, but the ending was what kindles my rage. They don't even talk about his death really, how lazy. Lazy, lazy, lazy - not addressing the death, not addressing Dolly's grief, not these kids feeling any pain or dealing with their elders. Nope, nothing like that, they look at nursery of babies. * tears hair out* WHY IN THE NAME OF GOD ARE THEY LOOKING AT BABIES! THEY'RE TEENAGERS, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! Oh, I just wanted to throw this book, burn it, that's how bad it was. The ending was so bad, so lazy - so no more. This is the last book I ever read by this terrible author because he obviously has no imagination or originality, and tries way to hard to show symbolism and sentiments. But he's not even good at that. Worst author ever, worst book ever. I don't recommend it, don't waist your time. It's surprising our elders have the gaul to chastise what we read and yet this is the crap they throw at us. This is not literature, it's garbage. So don't tell me what to read, because I choose way better books than this. For once, let us choose. Let us discover. Don't take the joy of reading away from people by ruining for them. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, STOP!

[03JustinC · Rating 5 out of 5]

John and Lorraine really need to stop meeting old people. It’s been over 4 months since the Pigman has died, and John and Lorraine are still pretty shaken up about it. So much so they even take the long way home because they don't want to pass by the Pigman's old house. But something in that house calls to them, somehow they can't stay away. Was it the Pigman's ghost come back from the dead to haunt them for what they did to him? Was it some bum sneaking in to get a free night’s sleep at their old Pigman’s house?
This is a great book that puts John and Lorraine at the wheel of another head spinning situation. They will struggle and fight but in the end the inevitable will happen. In this book you see John and Lorraine’s relationship start to become a little bit more close, and even the whole point of this book is from them to mature and try and deal with problems beyond their control.
This is going to be a tough one for John and Lorraine. But with the help of some new friends, you can bet your bottom dollar that they’ll pull through.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those who liked The Pigman, like my high school students, it left readers a little at loose ends. John and Lorraine start a subtle romance, but nothing is official. The Pigman leave John and Lorraine, but they never get to say a proper goodbye. And the positive changes both were making in their lives because of the Pigman are never fully realized.

Let's just say this book provides nice closure on all of those things. The three students who elected to read this book right after we read The Pigman in class all finished this second book in 4 days or less. And they were all happy they'd read it.

[Lucy 80s girl · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, I have read the first one, but for me, I didn't like it. In the movie and book world, sequels can be good or bad, which is why I like standalone. It has been a while since I read it but it's about John and Lorraine again and in my review for the pigman, Mr. Pignati dies. So they go visit his house and then this guy lives there and John and Lorraine want to know him I believe. And this stranger is staying at Mr. Pignati's house and his name is Parker Glenville and also, Mr. Pignati was only mentioned a couple of times and it wasn't around Mr. Pignati which was sad. It was a okay book but for anyone who has read the pigman, you don't need to read the second novel

[Tressa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked revisiting John and Lorraine in The Pigman’s Legacy. I liked how they had grown as individuals, but that there weren’t any pat answers. I also liked John and Lorraine’s friendships with Dolly and the Colonel.

[Hank Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you believe in miracles? John and Lorraine give you an amazing story about trying to find their legacy that the Pigman left them. One day the two sophomores decide to stroll down to the Pigman's house. To their surprise they find an old man who took advantage of the vacant house. At first, the kids didn't want anything to do with the old man, but soon they would realize that he would help them find their legacy. Along with the help of the school's janitor Dolly, John, Lorraine, and the old man go on quite a journey with plenty of twists and surprises.

I thought the writing in this book was very well written. It seemed like I was there in the story. I really enjoyed the end of the book, especially when the Colonel wanted to marry Dolly. This is the second book of the Pigman series, and if there was a third book, I would read it. I recommend this book, and the first Pigman book to a classmate.

[Kimball · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished the first book with hardly a hint of interest. The only reasons I read this were because it was a sequel (I'm a sucker for sequels because I have to know what happens!) and because I'm desperate to reach my reading goal for the year and this was pretty short.

This book was boring, just like the first one. I don't know how either of them got such great reviews. I don't know why the Pigman's house was just left empty after he died. And why do the two kids have so much freedom to wander, drink, and gamble? And how did they gamble in the casino being underage? Did kids do that in the 60's? Somehow it turned into a love story that didn't flow well.

Good job Lorraine, for forgiving John.

[☽ · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 - It's not terribly written, but it's just boring. Boring and dated. Like, what was the point?

[Jackson Abells · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Pigman's Legacy is a sequel to another book by Paul Zindel, The Pigman. This book is set four month's after reclusive elderly man Angelo Pignati's death. Pignati's only friends, two teenagers named John and Lorraine, are still trying to cope with his death and the guilt that they feel. After they find a grumpy old homeless man hiding inside of Pignati's old house, they believe him to be the Pigman(Pignati) reincarnated. Like the first book, this one is written from the perspectives of John and Lorraine, alternating between the two characters every chapter. What makes this book a little more interesting than the first one is that the characters will hide certain paragraphs from each other, allowing them to be more honest about their feelings when needed. One of the biggest problems I have with this novel is that it feels like an unnecessary sequel. The most of the last chapter of the first book is inner monologue, allowing the characters to reflect on the Pigman's death. It had a pretty perfect bittersweet ending. I also thought that the romance between John and Lorraine was contrived. Zindel set it up in the first book and continued it in this one. But to me, the biggest theme in The Pigman is how parenting can affect children. The parents are barely present in the sequel. Moreover, John and Lorraine always seemed to have better chemistry as friends.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars, not quite as good as the first one; but almost. It has the most beautiful ending to wrap up John and Lorraine's story.




"'I want to spend my life with you," John said so gently and sincerely my entire body heard. We turned toward each other, holding onto one another there in front of that glass wall that I felt held the answer to every mystery of what we were doing on this earth to begin with. Our bodies were touching and there was no shame, there was no fear, there was no Death.
Love.
That was our legacy-the gift which had come to us through our Pigman.
Our legacy was love."

[Kerri Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel a little like Zindel wrote this to make up for the trauma of The Pigman, but at the same time it does conclude the first book for those who didn't comprend the importance of the teens relationship with Mr Pignotti and were left questioning. It's just as well written, engaging and interesting and good character development just more direct in the theme.

[Broheros · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t care what people say, this book was better than the first. John and Lorraine get character development this time, and aren’t as much as jerks. Also, I genuinely likes the colonial and Dolly, way better than the pigman. Zindel’s style draws you in so well, and that’s the only reason why I picked this sequel up. I’m pretty glad I did.

[Aziza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good read. I am actually glad I stumbled upon the first book and chose to read it. The second piece in the Pigman series was riveting. It's kind of like you suspect what may happen, but you kind of see where the story is going and how it unfolds. A bittersweet ending. Can't wait to read how the story ends.

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read The Pigman years ago and had no idea that there were 2 followup books. I really enjoyed this book. I liked that it offered redemption to the characters and that it offered love as a legacy that people could leave. Simple, but powerful. Definitely adding it to my classroom library

[Aubrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book but there were some confusing parts in the book. I think you will only understand this book if you read the first one The Pigman. I give this book a 4/5 stars because it wasn't the best book I read but it was good.

[Phylisha Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

John and Lorraine visit the Pigmans house and discover a older squatter living there who has lost his home. John and Lorraine once again befriend the older man who reminds them of the Pigman. As it turns out the Colonel also has serious medical issues which th kids did not know about.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

was really slow moving at first and i didnt really like it to be honest. Once it got going it picked up and i really enjoyed the ending tying everything together. Just noting that I didn't read the first pigman book.

[Jodi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I read this book in the waiting room while my husband was undergoing open heart surgery so I may not have been in the best mood to read this book.


Meh! I found the kids in this book spoiled! Didn't really care for any of the characters.

[Frida Dillenbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything! What a great story with a wonderful message about compassion, sacrifice, forgiveness, friendship, love and hope for now and the future. A tremendous heartwarming, humorous and poignant tale.

[Zoey Sager · Rating 2 out of 5]

After the first book I thought it couldn't get weirder but some how it did. The plot and events all seemed so random. Also, I don't like how the author built up the story in both books just to have one of the main characters die. I could tell the colonel was going to die from the beginning.

[Zachary Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whereas the first Pigman is about facing harsh realities at a young age and struggling to cope with life's hardships, The Pigman's Legacy is about growing up and tackling those same hardships with courage and honesty and realizing, ultimately, love is the only thing we really have.

[Joyce Weiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Highly recommend! I'd even say it's better than the first one.

[Jamie Pinkerton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh....I just really wasn't feeling this one...

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just as good as the first one i loved this book had good detail and talked about a lot of different things that only Mr. pignati knew about.

[Tristan · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book... but it did not live up to the first one

[Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good sequel to the Pigman. I really like the way this book was wrote.

[Grant Angione · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like the book to much, it was okay. It was a was kinda hard to keep up with every thing that is happening.

[Charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of cute but I thought it was more forced (or something?) than the original Pigman story.

[Chanel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Agree that the kids in this book were spoilt and did not care for anyone’s feeling...