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65th out of 186 books
—
54 voters
Swine Not?
Bestselling novelist Jimmy Buffett has been making up stories all his life. (The dog ate his homework, and that new tattoo was somebody else's fault.) Not fiction's favorite pirate spins a colorful novel about a Southern family determined to hide their pet pig in a fancy four-star hotel in New York City -- while a meat-loving chef is sharpening his carving knife downstairs...more
Hardcover, 256 pages
Published
May 13th 2008
by Little, Brown and Company
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James Franco is one of my favorite human beings. What, you ask, does that have to do with this book? Allow me to explain...
James Franco is an actor who has been public about not just being an actor. After finishing some television and film, he took the time to go back to college (read: Columbia University!) and work on a masters degree. When choosing his roles, he doesn't shy away from jumping from blockbuster films to doing a gig on a television soap opera.
I like people who step out of their "n...more
James Franco is an actor who has been public about not just being an actor. After finishing some television and film, he took the time to go back to college (read: Columbia University!) and work on a masters degree. When choosing his roles, he doesn't shy away from jumping from blockbuster films to doing a gig on a television soap opera.
I like people who step out of their "n...more
As a lover of pigs as well as Jimmy Buffett, how could I resist reading this book? However, it's not one I plan to keep on the bookshelf.
A family moves from TN to NYC with divorce baggage and pets in tow to begin a new life living on the top floor of a hotel where mom will be a pastry chef. Only catch, there's a rule at the hotel - no exotic pets allowed (aka, the pet pig). So, they decide to hide the pig and sneak her out as possible. Life adjustment goes well for mom as she becomes very succe...more
A family moves from TN to NYC with divorce baggage and pets in tow to begin a new life living on the top floor of a hotel where mom will be a pastry chef. Only catch, there's a rule at the hotel - no exotic pets allowed (aka, the pet pig). So, they decide to hide the pig and sneak her out as possible. Life adjustment goes well for mom as she becomes very succe...more
A silly semi-true story of a family trying to hide a pet pig in an upper-class hotel in New York. I got this book as a present, and, having enjoyed all the other Jimmy Buffett books I'd read, had high hopes for this one. I actually had tried to start the book a few months ago and only got through a couple of chapters before losing interest. To this day, I have no idea if this book was intentionally meant for children, but it most definitely should have been marketed that way, as there was really...more
Swine Not? by Jimmy Buffett
(★ ★ ★ ½)
Synopsis: When Southern belle Ellie McBride moves her twins from Vertigo, Tennessee, to New York City, they wouldn't dream of leaving behind the family pig Rumpy. But the posh hotel where Ellie has found work (and living space) has "No Pets" writ large on its portal. So hiding Rumpy from the hotel staff--especially the ultra-carnivorous hotel chef, who would like nothing better than to transform their pet into pork roast--becomes imperative.
Can a talented, sen...more
(★ ★ ★ ½)
Synopsis: When Southern belle Ellie McBride moves her twins from Vertigo, Tennessee, to New York City, they wouldn't dream of leaving behind the family pig Rumpy. But the posh hotel where Ellie has found work (and living space) has "No Pets" writ large on its portal. So hiding Rumpy from the hotel staff--especially the ultra-carnivorous hotel chef, who would like nothing better than to transform their pet into pork roast--becomes imperative.
Can a talented, sen...more
The fact that this book landed in my possession and I actually read it is a signal that my life may be slipping into a slow witted existence. Not only is it probably the stupidest book I have ever read, which is disturbing by itself, but it is supremely terrifying that I would even consider reading anything written by Jimmy Buffett. Sadly, on the advice of another, I did accept the loan of the book and for some bizarre reason, did read the entire moronic tale. The experience was made even more h...more
Apr 19, 2010
Giselle Roberts
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Animal lovers, pig lovers, people looking for something light-hearted
Swine Not? is a book by Jimmy Buffett about a family who hides their pet pig at a four-star hotel in New York. Like pigs? Want to read a book that alternates between the usual narrator and a pig's POV? Let's throw some light-hearted humor in and you've got this book. In a way, it reminds me of a Pixar movie, Ratatouille popping into mind. It's got your quirky characters like twins Barley and Maple (Barley likes soccer, Maple's an expert designer who later makes a dog-suit for Rumpy to sneak out...more
I would have never read this book if it had not been recommended to me by my aunt, who usually has quite superb taste in books.
Sadly, I was less than impressed with this book. The back of the book made the story sound like it was going to be a lot more fun and entertaining that it actually was. Though I didn't find Buffett to be a bad writer, he's not that great either. I found that I enjoyed the chapters narrated by people a lot more than the chapters narrated by the pig. Her own crusades and...more
Sadly, I was less than impressed with this book. The back of the book made the story sound like it was going to be a lot more fun and entertaining that it actually was. Though I didn't find Buffett to be a bad writer, he's not that great either. I found that I enjoyed the chapters narrated by people a lot more than the chapters narrated by the pig. Her own crusades and...more
Aug 01, 2011
Andrea
added it
I got a kick out of this tale of a pet pig secretly living in the fanciest hotel in NYC. But it definitely wasn't standard Jimmy Buffett fare. There were no beaches, no boats, no lighthouses. If you're a fan of his books, this one might not feel right to you. It reads like a kids' book, which is no surprise since that's how it started - a friend of JB's showed him a children's book she'd written, and he expanded it to create Swine Not? (the illustrations were part of the original kids' book). If...more
Oct 02, 2008
Megan
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommended to Megan by:
CBOMC
Shelves:
childrens,
worst-books-i-ve-ever-read
This is one of the worst books I've ever read. Oh, Children's Book of the Month club--how could you steer me so wrong? The humor is over-reaching. I could scarcely push myself to finish it.
2 likes · like · see review
Funny story of a family with a clever pet pig who move to a Manhattan hotel rooftop apartment where exotic pets are banned. Now Rumpy must stay inside or travel incognito (as a sheep dog or inside a serving table), always on the lookout for the head chef who has it in for his future feast guest of honor. Rumpy is excited to be in NY where she can enlist the help of pigeons and even the mayor to find her long lost brother.
The 12 year old twins in this story are named Barley and Maple. Great names...more
The 12 year old twins in this story are named Barley and Maple. Great names...more
An entertaining story good for reading by the pool or as a story to read with kids. Now I want a pet minature pig!
Buffett has an easy and enjoyable style. Here's more on his bio as a writer "Buffett has written three No. 1 best sellers. Tales from Margaritaville and Where Is Joe Merchant? both spent over seven months on The New York Times Best Seller fiction list. His book A Pirate Looks At Fifty went straight to No. 1 on the New York Times Best Seller non-fiction list,
making him one of eight au...more
Buffett has an easy and enjoyable style. Here's more on his bio as a writer "Buffett has written three No. 1 best sellers. Tales from Margaritaville and Where Is Joe Merchant? both spent over seven months on The New York Times Best Seller fiction list. His book A Pirate Looks At Fifty went straight to No. 1 on the New York Times Best Seller non-fiction list,
making him one of eight au...more
I love the honest and fun lyrics of Jimmy Buffett's music. So here is an easy-reading book by the famous Mr. Buffett that resembles his lighthearted songs. Who would think that a "yarn" -- and that's sort of what this is -- about a very unusual family and their tango-dancing, soccer-playing, gourmet-eating, thinking and conniving pig -- would be such fun! It's a quick read, and, honestly, I think might be more appreciated by early-teens. BUT...maybe it's the wisdom of age that makes one able to...more
This is my first encounter with a Jimmy Buffett book. Hmm, just don't get it. This would be a good read for a middle schooler needing credit for a book report but really not something I enjoyed and I'm from Jimmy's era. I will admit that I haven't read his other books as this was given to me during my recovery from minor surgery but the surgery was less painful. It was fanciful and I understand that he took the subject matter from a friend but maybe he should stay with his own ideas. This won't...more
I have really enjoyed to been moderately entertained by Mr. Buffett’s previous novels, but this book simply isn’t very good. In the introduction Mr. Buffett talks about how this was originally going to be a children’s book that had been written by an associate. It should have stayed a children’s book, it might have even been a good children’s book, but as a novel it was ridiculous. The premise is quite foolish, the scenes of the pig in costume going out on the town would have worked much better...more
This was a book on the clearance rack at Borders. I haven't read any others by Jimmy Buffet, though I want to. This one sounded like it would be funny and quirky. I mean, a pig in a upscale NYC hotel?
Well, it didn't really live up to expectations. I'm not quite sure why I didn't like it more - maybe it was too superficial. Maybe it felt a little like "and the kitchen sink" plotting after a while. Maybe I just couldn't suspend my disbelief enough (which is a big problem for a book, since I read a...more
Well, it didn't really live up to expectations. I'm not quite sure why I didn't like it more - maybe it was too superficial. Maybe it felt a little like "and the kitchen sink" plotting after a while. Maybe I just couldn't suspend my disbelief enough (which is a big problem for a book, since I read a...more
Picked up another Jimmy Buffett book since I'd enjoyed A Salty Piece of Land, I was in a hurry when I went to the library to make my selection, and it sounded so different from the earlier book.
Swine Not? is a story of a pig who lives in a four star Manhattan hotel with a set of twins and their mom. A bit fanciful, as you might guess, definitely light reading, probably a children's book, though I didn't check on that for sure, but still an enjoyable enough read. If I'd read this one first, I'm n...more
Swine Not? is a story of a pig who lives in a four star Manhattan hotel with a set of twins and their mom. A bit fanciful, as you might guess, definitely light reading, probably a children's book, though I didn't check on that for sure, but still an enjoyable enough read. If I'd read this one first, I'm n...more
1 like · like · see review
Picked this up at the dollar store ~ there's probably a reason why it's there. I'm not a fan of pigs but I like Jimmy Buffett's writing; however, whole chapters are told from the POV of the pig (!!) and overall the style seems to be geared toward a much younger audience than I expected. I read the introduction (very good) and the first two chapters (not so much), and just couldn't bring myself to pick it up again. If you like pigs, this might appeal to you. If you just like Jimmy Buffett, take i...more
Nov 06, 2012
Jennifer Wardrip
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
trt-posted-reviews
Reviewed by Grandma Bev for TeensReadToo.com
Jimmy Buffett was presented with this idea, complete with photos by Helen Bransford, and he thought about it, and asked himself, "Swine Not?" - and this story was born.
Helen told Jimmy that it was based on something that actually happened...but a pig in a four-star hotel in New York City?
SWINE NOT? is a very entertaining romp told from the alternating points of view of Rumpy, the pig, and Barley, her boy owner. Rumpy is a pot-bellied pig who accompanie...more
Jimmy Buffett was presented with this idea, complete with photos by Helen Bransford, and he thought about it, and asked himself, "Swine Not?" - and this story was born.
Helen told Jimmy that it was based on something that actually happened...but a pig in a four-star hotel in New York City?
SWINE NOT? is a very entertaining romp told from the alternating points of view of Rumpy, the pig, and Barley, her boy owner. Rumpy is a pot-bellied pig who accompanie...more
This is the first Buffet novel I have read although I have others on my "To Read" list. I found the prose as unique and entertaining as his music. It was not masterful prose, but it was light and fanciful. It was a quick read, just right for a Sunday afternoon.
It is the story of a pet pig, Rumpy, who moves with his family from a farm in Tennessee to a high rise apartment in NY City. The pig and the children who own him have several enjoyable, sometimes "life threatening" escapades.
"Our owners...more
It is the story of a pet pig, Rumpy, who moves with his family from a farm in Tennessee to a high rise apartment in NY City. The pig and the children who own him have several enjoyable, sometimes "life threatening" escapades.
"Our owners...more
It was a cute book. I've read other Jimmy Buffett books and thought them very funny. This one belongs in the YA section of the library. Its about a pig living on a farm with her two human twins and their mom. The mom gets a job in Manhatten and they all move up there. The pig is not allowed in the hotel where they live. Smuggling a pig in and out of the hotel presents quite the chalange especially when the mean chef wants to serve the pig on a platter with an apple in her mouth.
I grew up with Jimmy Buffett's music but I won't go so far as to call myself a Parrothead. Around the time I was first starting off with being a Bookcrosser I was introduced his books. I'm probably more a fan of his books than I am of his music. Each book I've read has had something different to offer. I appreciate it when authors who try new things.
The other Buffet books I've read have involved his three loves: music, flying and the Caribbean. Swine Not? is a departure from those themes, being...more
The other Buffet books I've read have involved his three loves: music, flying and the Caribbean. Swine Not? is a departure from those themes, being...more
I', a big fan of Jimmy Buffett's music, so I picked this book up at the bargain section of the bookstore. It's a really fast read, as the text is a lot bigger than normal, and has a lot of good humor. I found the ending to be a bit rushed, though, and a little cheesy. Everything went right, and I'm not saying I don't like happy endings, but there could've been a bit more conflict. All in all, a quick and funny read.
Light as one of the pigeon co-star's tail feathers, Swine Not? reminded me of nothing more than the innumerable animal adventure stories I read between 3rd and 6th grades. However, I was in great need of an emotional break when this book was given to me, and it did function on that level. If you enjoy animal stories and could use a happy ending, Rumpy might be your pig.
I was entertained by the story while driving home from Spokane. It worked well for that, since it doesn't require a great deal of concentration to follow the plot.
Everything wrapped up a bit too simplistically for me, reminding me of a children's book, but it was a fun story about a family hiding their pet pig in their house atop a fancy New York hotel.
Everything wrapped up a bit too simplistically for me, reminding me of a children's book, but it was a fun story about a family hiding their pet pig in their house atop a fancy New York hotel.
Jun 20, 2008
Tracey
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Young or young-at-heart readers
Shelves:
libraryread
Rumpy, an unusually intelligent pet pig, and her owner Barley, a teenage boy with a passion for soccer are the dual protagonists/narrators of this story. Barley, his sister Maple, and Rumpy are all uprooted from their Tennessee home and move to a New York City hotel when their mother is hired as a pastry chef. They must keep Rumpy's existence a secret, while figuring out how to fit in.
This novel felt very much like a Carl Hiaasen young adult book, with quirky characters and a moral or two along...more
This novel felt very much like a Carl Hiaasen young adult book, with quirky characters and a moral or two along...more
Ok, this is not the kind of book I expected from Jimmy. While not billed as such, this is really a children's book. A fourth or fifth grader would probably love this book, as the story is cute and the text is easy to read. I should have looked a little closer before buying it, I suppose.
Jimmy Buffett's wild tale of Rumpy the pig and his adventures in Manhattan are a great escape. It's a quirky view of life and your loved ones in the big city - sort of Green Acres against a backdrop of Bonfire of the Vanities. I giggled over absurdities and was touched by the real character conflicts.
This is the first book I've read by Jimmy Buffett, and when I saw this book for a dollar at a bookstore going out of business I thought 'Why Not?' And as Jimmy said if you are asking yourself the question "What on earth is Jimmy doing writing a book about a pig instead of about boats, islands, bars, ballads, and beaches?" the answer is simple: "Swine Not?"
Today I wanted a fun, easy book to read, this was a quick fast read, and fun even though I think it is a book for the younger set. But it fit...more
Today I wanted a fun, easy book to read, this was a quick fast read, and fun even though I think it is a book for the younger set. But it fit...more
I can honestly say this is the best book about hiding a pig in an apartment on top of a New York that I have ever read. I have to admit that it is the only story like that to my knowledge. Buffett does a good job but it reads more like a Disney movie than a Jimmy Buffett story.
Jimmy Buffett writes entertaining books. He has a few children's books and adult books but I believe that this is his first foray into pre-teen lit. It is about a family who lives in a hotel with their pet pig.
It's not bad. I have read way better pre-teen books but I did enjoy it.
It's not bad. I have read way better pre-teen books but I did enjoy it.
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James William "Jimmy" Buffett (born December 25, 1946) is a singer, songwriter, author, businessman, and recently a movie producer best known for his "island escapism" lifestyle and music including hits such as "Margaritaville" (No. 234 on RIAA's list of "Songs of the Century"), and "Come Monday". He has a devoted base of fans known as "Parrotheads". His band is called the Coral Reefer Band.
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24. August, 19:04 Uhr