Paul Zindel Jr.: The Effect Of Gamma Rays On Man

1. Paul Zindel Jr., born May 15, 1936, is a famous American novelist and playwright that is most notable for his work “The Pigman.”
2. Paul Zindel was the child of Betty Zindel, a nurse, and Paul Zindel Sr., a police officer.
3. In 1964, Paul Zindel’s first play was “The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds,” this was his most successful play and had even received a Pulitzer Prize in Drama.
4. The play received criticism, however, that it was too hard to understand and hard to follow.
5. Paul Zindel wrote 53 books, they mostly aimed at kids and teenagers, and were set in his hometown of Staten Island.
6. The themes of these books mostly focused on teenage misfits with abusive or neglectful parents.
7. The Pigman, first published

in 1968, is widely taught in American schools and had made it to the list of most frequently banned books.
8. “The Pigman,” deals with love and finding friends in places you wouldn’t expect. Critics meant nothing to Zindel, as a matter of fact, he has said "I ignore critics usually. I believe the perfect story is a dream."
9. Zindel would after be involved with Hollywood, working in titles such as, Up the Sandbox and Mame.
10. Later in life, Paul Zindel died in New York City from lung cancer in March 27, 2003.