The Pig Who Saved The World

Gryllus the Pig #2

by Paul Shipton

Gryllus, the talking pig is back. Well, strictly speaking, he's a human in a pig's body...it's a long story. After saving the Cosmos once before, Gryllus is a bit tired of being a hero. He wants to return to human form and live a quiet life, preferably working as Chief Pie Taster to the Gods. The only person who can change him back is the demi-goddess Circe - but Circe, along with all the other Olympians, is nowhere to be found. It looks like the Cosmos is in grave danger once again, and a mysterious prophecy seems to suggest that Gryllus might be the pig to sort things out. So, along with Sibyl the ex-priestess, the singing head of Orpheus, and an immortal grasshopper, Gryllus travels to the Underworld and back, and is surprised to discover just who is trying to destroy the Cosmos.

Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Humor, Young Adult, Childrens

263 pages, Paperback

First published July 6, 2006

About the author

Paul Shipton (born 1963) is an award-winning children's author.

He was born in Manchester and attended Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and Manchester University. After completing two Masters' degrees (in Classics and Philosophy), he taught English in Istanbul for a year. After returning to the UK, he taught English as a foreign language for several years, and it was around this time that he published his first book, Zargon Zoo (1991).

Four years later, he published Bug Muldoon and the Garden of Fear, and relocated with his family to Wisconsin, United States, where he works as a freelance writer and editor. He also writes books for younger readers under the pen name Paul Cooper. He and his wife and two daughters now divide their time between Cambridge, England, and Madison, Wisconsin.

Reviews

[Zareen Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book when I was in the 6th grade and over the years I’ve come back to it multiple times and each time has been an enjoying read. Gryllus is such an accurate representation of just some guy being stuck in the middle of the war. Honestly what a relatable icon. As someone who loves Greek mythology I was pleasantly surprised at Shipton’s comedic take on the whole thing. For a children’s book, I would have expected less character development but damn my man Shipton went off and made all of the characters likable and relatable and most importantly feel real.
Our main trio has very appropriate reactions to situations that they’re thrust into and while all of them have their flaws it’s so easy to root for all them to succeed because well they all feel like real human people and they’re treated as such and not as infallible heroes(which a lot of children’s books tend to do).

While I have to say some of the philosophical aspects of this book might fly over the head of certain children, as a precocious bookworm I appreciated the depth that Shipton gave the book. He never treated the readers or subject material with any less respect than you would a novel written for adults perhaps and that’s probably why I kept coming back to this book over the years (and each time I came back I was able to understand these ideas a little bit more)

Also this book is so funny. I think it’s criminally under appreciated how funny Shipton made this book WITHOUT resorting to infantile humour or talking down to the audience (even the crude humour in this book is funny in a way that isn’t gross)

[Devin Tremblay · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5.

[Logan Manders · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Pig Who Saved the World is a fiction book by Paul Shipton. This book is about the journey of a pig who is trying to find the person who can turn her back into human. It also uses a bunch of Greek mythology. I liked this book mainly. I liked the journey of the pig, but all the Greek mythology stuff kind of confused me. Also, I liked the characters, I thought they were unique. Some of the settings were unique too. An example would be when the talking pig and the singing head were stranded out in the middle of the ocean. I thought this part was neat because the pig and the head had to try to figure out a way to survive, even though they didn’t know each other. Another part of the story that was unique was when the talking pig, singing head, and grasshopper were in a shark's stomach. They all just got swallowed by it and it was interesting what they did in there and how they got out. I wouldn’t recommend this book if you don’t like or understand Greek mythology. I would recommend this book if you like adventures.

[Megan McKenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personal reaction: For me this book was not that great, however children (upper elementary) would probably enjoy it. While the story includes talking animals and their crazy adventures it is also a parody of sorts on The Odyssey. The story is easy to understand and talks on a level that students will enjoy.

Purpose: This would be a perfect independent reading story for students who are above grade level in reading. It could also be used with lessons on Greek mythology. Have students read the original Odyssey (one on their level) and then compare it to events in this story.

Other: Both boys and girls will enjoy this story as it is silly but informational with further study.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first one in the series (The Grylliad, a spoof on the Illiad). The series deals with one of Oddyseus' sailors who Circe turned into a pig and he decided to stay that way. He blunders around and manages to save the world twice. Series is funny but this one takes a stab at philosophy which I think is right over most kid's (readers') heads.

[annebeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked it up in the children's section of the library - the only area with couches. Was face out, and I read the flap because it has a great cover. Checked out this and the first book, and B is reading them out loud to me.

Ancient Greece, as told by Gryllus the pig.

[Denise Ashlock-Phillips · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very difficult for me to get into. I had a hard time reading through it. The story line was pretty interesting though. I don't think I would teach it in class. I think the concept of the pig was good, but he was so dimwitted that it literally drove me nuts reading the book!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit corny, but a cute kid's point of view on Greek mythology, in this case predominantly "The Odyssey," but bits of other stories thrown in as well. I enjoyed it. I'd be interested in seeing more of his books.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was soooooooo funny :)