Status
Available
Call number
Call number
F Sle
Collection
Publication
Puffin Books (1995), Edition: Reprint, 208 pages
Description
Barney's boring seaside vacation suddenly becomes more interesting when the cottage next door is occupied by three exotic neighbors who are addicted to a game they call "Interstellar Pig."
Subjects
Original publication date
1984
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User reviews
LibraryThing member atimco
I probably wouldn't have read Interstellar Pig on my own, but it's a childhood favorite of a friend and he recommended it. NOW I know why that friend is the way he is! Wacky, imaginative, and wryly humorous, this book is one of the more memorable YA titles I've read. If you're like me, you have
While enduring a boring vacation at the beach, sixteen-year-old Barney meets some attractive strangers who have an odd fascination with his parents' rented beach house and the tragic legend of the lunatic who died there. They are also obsessed with a board game which they soon teach Barney to play. But when the board game becomes terrifyingly real, Barney must use his sub-par human intelligence against his ruthless opponents in order to win the game. Or — must he?
My description makes the book sound like a silly bit of mindless fun, but actually it raises some questions about the nature of reality, deception, manipulation, sexual attraction, and political strategy. And it does all this subtly, without the slightest attempt at being pretentious or profound. Under all the goofiness there is actually some real tension beyond just the exciting events of the plot. A young reader could read the book many times and only start to see the other layers later. But it's those layers of depth that keep the young reader coming back to the book. I thought of books like this in my childhood as having good bones to them, something real under the characters.
The only quibble I had with the plot was that the Pig's motivation is not entirely convincing. And Barney is disconcertingly perceptive of his parents' insecurities, though he is sixteen and old enough to really start noticing. It just seemed a little overdone to me. When Barney is looking at his mom's fleshy face and body, her pathetic attempts to get a tan and look attractive, I just cringed. Perhaps that was Sleator's intent.
Reading this book was doubly fun because without knowing anything about the book's beach-vacation setting, I read it during my beach vacation this year. It's a quick read, and I enjoyed this little trip through an alternate reality. I would recommend it to fans of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett looking for a light YA read that nevertheless carries some philosophical weight — but only if you want to pick it up.
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never meditated on the possible connections of pigs, interstellar travel, and aliens. But you're about to.While enduring a boring vacation at the beach, sixteen-year-old Barney meets some attractive strangers who have an odd fascination with his parents' rented beach house and the tragic legend of the lunatic who died there. They are also obsessed with a board game which they soon teach Barney to play. But when the board game becomes terrifyingly real, Barney must use his sub-par human intelligence against his ruthless opponents in order to win the game. Or — must he?
My description makes the book sound like a silly bit of mindless fun, but actually it raises some questions about the nature of reality, deception, manipulation, sexual attraction, and political strategy. And it does all this subtly, without the slightest attempt at being pretentious or profound. Under all the goofiness there is actually some real tension beyond just the exciting events of the plot. A young reader could read the book many times and only start to see the other layers later. But it's those layers of depth that keep the young reader coming back to the book. I thought of books like this in my childhood as having good bones to them, something real under the characters.
The only quibble I had with the plot was that the Pig's motivation is not entirely convincing. And Barney is disconcertingly perceptive of his parents' insecurities, though he is sixteen and old enough to really start noticing. It just seemed a little overdone to me. When Barney is looking at his mom's fleshy face and body, her pathetic attempts to get a tan and look attractive, I just cringed. Perhaps that was Sleator's intent.
Reading this book was doubly fun because without knowing anything about the book's beach-vacation setting, I read it during my beach vacation this year. It's a quick read, and I enjoyed this little trip through an alternate reality. I would recommend it to fans of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett looking for a light YA read that nevertheless carries some philosophical weight — but only if you want to pick it up.
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LibraryThing member Toast.x2
When i was a kid, i spent a lot of time at the library. every week or so, we would head to the local branch and walk out with armloads and tote bags full of books. i remember my parents forced us impose a personal book limit on what we could check out.
this maximum limit was a real pain in the ass,
i remember that one week, i had already reached my maximum. my dad walked over and handed me a copy of William Sleator’s Interstellar Pig. it pushed me over my limit for the week but no one gave me any crap over it.
my dad had never read the book before, but he had a good feel for the bizarre nature of his kid and it was a good call. i ahve never forgotten the name of this book, nor it’s plotline. at one point, i was even found sleep walking and describing of of the characters as having been in the house.
after reading interstellar pig, i became a bit obsessed with sleator. another book of his, house of stairs (about mind control experiments on children), also has stayed with me and influenced many of my thought processes over the years.
Interstellar Pig, covers a 3-4 day period in the life of Barney. Barney is an average kid who is dragged to the beach with his parents for vacation. he has ultra sensitive skin and has to stay out of the sun for the most part. his plans for the vacation can be summarized as books book books and waiting for the day they are leaving.
things get a bit more interesting when the neighbors in the next rental house over arrive. they are goodlooking, very tan, and excitable. they are also obsessed with the house barney is staying in, attempting to gain access in a variety of ways.
this is not their only obsession. they also are enamored with a board game, interstellar pig. the board game covers a short span of time in which races from different planets must track down and keep a galactic artifact. whichever has it when time runs out wins. all others die, meanwhile, the planets they come from are simultaneously blown up.
after playing the game and learning that the bedroom he sleeps in was once the cell of a lunatic keelhauled murdering sailor, barney becomes obsessed himself. his only goal is to find out the truth about his neighbors and beat them at whatever ploy they are keeping under wraps.
~~
i had to pick up a copy of this book recently. whilst perusing powells books i found that THERE IS A SEQUEL. before i can buy the sequel, i needed to reread the original in order to determine if i would even still enjoy it. you never can tell with kids books right? the sequel is titled “Parasite Pig” and is supposed to pick up with Barney only a couple years after book 1.
Interstellar Pig was still an excellent book. it was fairly shallow and the plot line is spoon fed to the reader, but for a kids book, it was enjoyable and hits the mark.
--
xpost RawBlurb.com
this maximum limit was a real pain in the ass,
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but it did force us to expand our horizons and read outside the comfort bubble we were in. this expansion was the only way we could ensure that we would not run out of stuff to read.i remember that one week, i had already reached my maximum. my dad walked over and handed me a copy of William Sleator’s Interstellar Pig. it pushed me over my limit for the week but no one gave me any crap over it.
my dad had never read the book before, but he had a good feel for the bizarre nature of his kid and it was a good call. i ahve never forgotten the name of this book, nor it’s plotline. at one point, i was even found sleep walking and describing of of the characters as having been in the house.
after reading interstellar pig, i became a bit obsessed with sleator. another book of his, house of stairs (about mind control experiments on children), also has stayed with me and influenced many of my thought processes over the years.
Interstellar Pig, covers a 3-4 day period in the life of Barney. Barney is an average kid who is dragged to the beach with his parents for vacation. he has ultra sensitive skin and has to stay out of the sun for the most part. his plans for the vacation can be summarized as books book books and waiting for the day they are leaving.
things get a bit more interesting when the neighbors in the next rental house over arrive. they are goodlooking, very tan, and excitable. they are also obsessed with the house barney is staying in, attempting to gain access in a variety of ways.
this is not their only obsession. they also are enamored with a board game, interstellar pig. the board game covers a short span of time in which races from different planets must track down and keep a galactic artifact. whichever has it when time runs out wins. all others die, meanwhile, the planets they come from are simultaneously blown up.
after playing the game and learning that the bedroom he sleeps in was once the cell of a lunatic keelhauled murdering sailor, barney becomes obsessed himself. his only goal is to find out the truth about his neighbors and beat them at whatever ploy they are keeping under wraps.
~~
i had to pick up a copy of this book recently. whilst perusing powells books i found that THERE IS A SEQUEL. before i can buy the sequel, i needed to reread the original in order to determine if i would even still enjoy it. you never can tell with kids books right? the sequel is titled “Parasite Pig” and is supposed to pick up with Barney only a couple years after book 1.
Interstellar Pig was still an excellent book. it was fairly shallow and the plot line is spoon fed to the reader, but for a kids book, it was enjoyable and hits the mark.
--
xpost RawBlurb.com
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LibraryThing member MaowangVater
The beach house Barney’s parents have rented for two weeks is too far from town for him. There’s no one for a sixteen-year-old to hang out with. He’s been staving off boredom by re-reading his old science fiction books, but then the landlord stops by and tells them that people used to say
They make quite a favorable impression on his parents, who think that Zena, Manny, and Joe, are older and more sophisticated then Barney does; he thinks they may be college students. They’re all in excellent physical shape, but all they seem to want to do is play a board game called Interstellar Pig. It’s a science fiction role-laying board game. Each player is dealt a card with an alien character, you might be an arachnoid nymph from the planet Vavoosh or a species of carnivorous lichen from Mbridlengile, or an octopus-like gas bag, or a water-breathing gill man from Thrilb. Once you have your character you travel from planet to planet until the timer signals the end of the game, collecting cards for laser guns or for hyperspace drive, or a card to boost or lower your intelligence, or to force you to land on a poisonous planet. But the most important card is called the Piggy, and if you don’t have it in your hand at the end of the game, your planet is sucked out of existence and your species exterminated. It’s a cool game, with a very realistic board, by Barney doesn’t understand why his new neighbors are so obsessed with it, that is, until they all take a day trip to a nearby island and he finds a small box containing a small pink object. On it is carved a smiling face with one eye. “The vertical iris, inlaid in bright silver, gave the eye a piercing alertness. Crude as it was, the thing seemed alive. And it was the brutal wrongness of it, the mouth smiling with such placid idiocy, noseless, under the solitary eye, that made the face so repellent.”
Interstellar pig is a deliciously creepy read, like the chill you might get from an ice cube drawn down your sunburned back.
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that the house was haunted, but before he finishes his story he rushes off to greet the new tenants of the house next door – tenants that were extremely disappointed when they learned that the house Barney’s staying in was already rented. They make quite a favorable impression on his parents, who think that Zena, Manny, and Joe, are older and more sophisticated then Barney does; he thinks they may be college students. They’re all in excellent physical shape, but all they seem to want to do is play a board game called Interstellar Pig. It’s a science fiction role-laying board game. Each player is dealt a card with an alien character, you might be an arachnoid nymph from the planet Vavoosh or a species of carnivorous lichen from Mbridlengile, or an octopus-like gas bag, or a water-breathing gill man from Thrilb. Once you have your character you travel from planet to planet until the timer signals the end of the game, collecting cards for laser guns or for hyperspace drive, or a card to boost or lower your intelligence, or to force you to land on a poisonous planet. But the most important card is called the Piggy, and if you don’t have it in your hand at the end of the game, your planet is sucked out of existence and your species exterminated. It’s a cool game, with a very realistic board, by Barney doesn’t understand why his new neighbors are so obsessed with it, that is, until they all take a day trip to a nearby island and he finds a small box containing a small pink object. On it is carved a smiling face with one eye. “The vertical iris, inlaid in bright silver, gave the eye a piercing alertness. Crude as it was, the thing seemed alive. And it was the brutal wrongness of it, the mouth smiling with such placid idiocy, noseless, under the solitary eye, that made the face so repellent.”
Interstellar pig is a deliciously creepy read, like the chill you might get from an ice cube drawn down your sunburned back.
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LibraryThing member jrbeach
Boring and badly written. I gave up a third of the way thru, and didn't even bother to jump to the end to see the resolution.
LibraryThing member bookcurse
I am a little strange about scaryness, as you may have noticed in other reviews. Let me explain. Once I was reading some books that I can't remember the title of, and there were injuries, games where people hunted other human beings [hunted: searched for and killed on a private island], and other
Anyway, back to the book. There is a boy who is a loner, gets sunburned very easily, and is very suspicious of all activities. He is staying in a beach house with his parents over the summer[Do they at all care about him?]. He meets the people in the cement structure 10 yards away who were very, very upset that they couldn't stay in the house his family was staying in, which is understandable because theirs is very small for three people to stay in and is a horrid shade of pink.
But it is still suspicious when they keep asking to go to his house, and even more so when they pick up every yearbook, pot, and article of clothing in the summer house. And they finger the scrapings on the wall in his room. It gets creepy and cruel from then on, but my favorite part is the last few paragraphs.
The reason I talked to you about my weirdo psychology is that I was almost scared to death when they said what 'the piggy' looked like. If you read this book you will probably think this strange.
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pretty gory stuff. But it was science fiction. I didn't mind. Until the very last [or was it next to last?] chapter where they locked a bad guy [really girl; I didn't think it would otherwise sound right] in a thing like a cubicle with a roof and were gassing her. When they told her over the vid cam, she held pearls in front of the camera. The lady on the other end was very upset, as the gas ruined pearls. Now that is a frightening thought. I can't tell you how my mind works, but this gives you an idea. Anyway, back to the book. There is a boy who is a loner, gets sunburned very easily, and is very suspicious of all activities. He is staying in a beach house with his parents over the summer[Do they at all care about him?]. He meets the people in the cement structure 10 yards away who were very, very upset that they couldn't stay in the house his family was staying in, which is understandable because theirs is very small for three people to stay in and is a horrid shade of pink.
But it is still suspicious when they keep asking to go to his house, and even more so when they pick up every yearbook, pot, and article of clothing in the summer house. And they finger the scrapings on the wall in his room. It gets creepy and cruel from then on, but my favorite part is the last few paragraphs.
The reason I talked to you about my weirdo psychology is that I was almost scared to death when they said what 'the piggy' looked like. If you read this book you will probably think this strange.
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LibraryThing member mblaze
Barney is an average, bored, teenager who is forced to spend two weeks with his parents at the beach. Things suddenly become interesting and potentially dangerous as he begins a friendship with some strange new neighbors who are obsessed with a weird, deadly board game. This book is captivating
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from the moment it begins. With each turn of the page, the suspense continues to build. The only weak point is the epilogue, which is not necessary and weakens the ending of the book. This book would be especially interesting for middle school students who are interested in adventure, suspense and science fiction. Show Less
LibraryThing member krau0098
I got this book simply because it sounded interesting. It is a very straight-forward children's science fiction novel about a role-playing game that gets out of hand.
It was a fairly fast-paced book that was an easy read. It is written about an overdone premise; a boy gets sucked in a game that is
The only thing that sets this story apart is the ironic ending to it.
It was a quick, okay read, the premise was kind of interesting. The only outstanding thing was the irony of the ending. It doesn't make me want to go out and read more Sleator books though; and I am getting rid of it...definitely not a keeper.
It was a fairly fast-paced book that was an easy read. It is written about an overdone premise; a boy gets sucked in a game that is
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more than just the game it originally seems to be.The only thing that sets this story apart is the ironic ending to it.
It was a quick, okay read, the premise was kind of interesting. The only outstanding thing was the irony of the ending. It doesn't make me want to go out and read more Sleator books though; and I am getting rid of it...definitely not a keeper.
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LibraryThing member BrynDahlquis
Captivating, interesting, and horrifying. Barney's encounter with aliens is like no other.
LibraryThing member benuathanasia
A strange, good story. Similar to Zathura, but not as childish and a bit dark.
LibraryThing member Auntie-Nanuuq
One of the things I enjoy about this challenge is that I am able to not only reread many of my favorites (which I most likely would never have thought to do), but to read many new books I might otherwise never have read either.
Barney and his parents are renting a summer house on the New England
Soon after Barney & his parents move into the summer house, a trio of odd people (1 woman & 2 men) move into the house above them. The trio ask many questions and are anxious to explore their neighbors house.....in fact they seem intent on searching the house top to bottom looking for something specific.
The neighbors are also playing a board game called "Interstellar Pig"....a game which they have invited Barney to play, one which may or may not have deadly stakes.
Barney and his parents are renting a summer house on the New England
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coast. Barney's room is the one which a Sea Captain's brother had been imprisoned after surviving being keelhauled for murdering a man rescued from adrift upon the ship. Not only does the room have the best view of the ocean, but there are odd scratches on the windowsill....Soon after Barney & his parents move into the summer house, a trio of odd people (1 woman & 2 men) move into the house above them. The trio ask many questions and are anxious to explore their neighbors house.....in fact they seem intent on searching the house top to bottom looking for something specific.
The neighbors are also playing a board game called "Interstellar Pig"....a game which they have invited Barney to play, one which may or may not have deadly stakes.
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LibraryThing member quinton.baran
This was a re-read for me. I enjoyed this book quite a bit, and it has a lot to think through. It is Y.A. book with some fairly sophisticated dialogue and development.
This book is like putting together a puzzle, and I think that is the funnest way to read - to look for the clues that are given and
I am looking forward to reading the sequel at some point.
This book is like putting together a puzzle, and I think that is the funnest way to read - to look for the clues that are given and
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attempt to solve what is going on. I am looking forward to reading the sequel at some point.
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LibraryThing member RobertaLea
I heard so much about this and was looking forward to reading it. Meh. I finished it and started the sequel. That didn't last 5 pages. I gave it up and sent it on to some middle schoolers who will love the two books, I'm sure.
LibraryThing member ChazziFrazz
I was not sure what to expect, but the title caught my eye.
It turned out to be a boring summer vacation that became a real adventure for Barney.
Stuck in the Captain’s House, which is far from the village, and no one close to Barney’s age (16) it is looking pretty dull. Then three young people
There is also a role playing game the threesome are addicted to, that also attracts Barney’s interest — Interstellar Pig. A strange game that seems based on the world of Space and the planets. Barney is dying to play a round of the game with the three.
Zena, Manny and Joe are looking for something that is key to Interstellar Pig and think it is in the Captain’s House or very close by. They come to the conclusion that Barney knows where the item is and decide to give Barney entry to the game.
Sci-fi and fantasy are part of the mix, while the two segments jockey to get what they want. Who will be the winner?
It turned out to be a boring summer vacation that became a real adventure for Barney.
Stuck in the Captain’s House, which is far from the village, and no one close to Barney’s age (16) it is looking pretty dull. Then three young people
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show up that have rented the small cinderblock cottage close by. Young, tan, good looking, without much background, they give something of interest for Barney.There is also a role playing game the threesome are addicted to, that also attracts Barney’s interest — Interstellar Pig. A strange game that seems based on the world of Space and the planets. Barney is dying to play a round of the game with the three.
Zena, Manny and Joe are looking for something that is key to Interstellar Pig and think it is in the Captain’s House or very close by. They come to the conclusion that Barney knows where the item is and decide to give Barney entry to the game.
Sci-fi and fantasy are part of the mix, while the two segments jockey to get what they want. Who will be the winner?
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LibraryThing member Dorothy2012
Novella. Slow first half, fast second half. Easy read. Very interesting premise.
Pages
208