The PIG PLANTAGENET

by Allen Andrews

product_description

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Animals, Science Fiction Fantasy, Childrens, Literature

199 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 13th Century France, Plantagenet the Pig is a very kind and considerate animal, but may be lacking in brains. He has a rather easy life in a farmstead carved out of the forest, and is doted on by Adele, the farmer's lovely daughter. His ability to run very fast keeps him in touch with the animals of the forest, and makes him lean enough to keep him off the menu.

Word quickly spreads throughout the forest of a plan by the feudal lords to systematically go through the forest, and herd all the animals toward a specific spot. Killer dogs will be waiting for them, to kill them. The humans are getting tired of losing animals to the forest inhabitants. Contact is made with animal residents of a nearby forest, who agree to take in the animals that are on the move. The big problem is that there is a clear space between forests, where an attack by humans and dogs, against the animals, is expected. Plantagenet is appointed leader of the animal exodus, and takes his job seriously.

The mass migration is underway before the human forest sweep begins. Plantagenet is in the lead, with Grondin the boar and Hurlaud the wolf keeping everyone in line, and watching for the expected attack by the dogs and humans. It happens in the clear space between forests. There are many animal casualties, on both sides. Plantagenet is not unscathed. The animals make it to the other forest, to rest and lick their wounds. Is there any chance of going back to their old forest? Will Plantagenet ever see his old pig sty, and Adele, ever again?

This is a very good story. It's a well done allegory about forest conservation and teens will enjoy it (the battle scene might be too much for younger children). Adults will also like it.

[Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andrews' medieval adventure novel presented through the eyes and lives of animals both wild and domestic is a cute, well-written, and at times, profound, work of literature whose only flaw is a middle that drags a bit, getting caught up in a few moments of animal diplomacy that seem needlessly complicated and drawn out. That space could have been better used to develop the characters more, as aside from the titular pig, many of them seem to be more important than their actual stage time in the book allows them to be. Most notably, the female protagonist, Adele, seems to be missing for a great deal of the story, re-appearing at the end with a twist that feels like it would be more satisfying if it had been better built up to. Still, a thoughtful, fun, original novel that can be appreciated by kids and adults, and contains some truly excellent writing as Andrews is a wordsmith to be reckoned with, in addition to being a serious thinker with a whimsical imagination.

[Noldy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed it, and after several decades would like to read it again. A light-hearted pig.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm feeling a bit conflicted about this book. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't quite what it could've been either. If I could, I would've given it 3.5 stars, but as it is I've decided that it's at least better than 3 stars, so I'm going to be kind.

Despite it's setting in 13th century France, the characters talk in a previously modern English way, using phrases that just don't seem to fit. That ends up taking you out of that world slightly, which is a bit of an unwarranted distraction.

Then there's the flow of the story. At one moment nothing is really happening and the animals have one relationship. The next moment everything is happening and the relationship changes. Then it's the battle scene and suddenly the tale is all but over.

I enjoyed it, but I won't need to read it again. I'll be passing along my book crossing copy and move on to something else.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow to start, fiery finish. Damned amazing read, will be putting aside to reread.

[Verity Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

More of a 2.5 rating. I enjoyed the style of this book, but the lack of substance really got to me. Ultimately I ended up with the impression that the author decided that hey, animal fables are popular after Watership Down, so I should write one. Unfortunately, the story has very little new to say, philosophically, either about animals or about people. The actual plotline doesn't begin until nearly halfway through the book, and aside from some action sequences, it's a relatively dull plotline. All through the book, I kept expecting the story to take me in some new and interesting direction, but it never did (and no, I don't count the weird twist at the ending as a "new and interesting direction").

[Kereesa]

Got to page 58. And that was a slooooog. Definitely trying to be a fancier version of Watership Down and/or The Wind in the Willows.

No rating will be given, as I have not finished the book and thus cannot give an adequate review on the entirety of the piece, but anything marked as DNF or a book I gave up on is usually around the 1-2/5 mark.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to know a brief introduction of the Allen Andrews ,who can help me?
Thanks.
(my english is poor, hope everybody understand my meaning)

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

not a good story really but for some reason I liked it

[Matt Ryan]

Too wordy. Only made it halfway through.