Discworld Books - Page 3

REAPER MAN (A DISCWORLD NOVEL)

TERRY PRATCHETT

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 98 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Gonna die? Can't die? Don't let it get you down 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Reaper Man is the 2nd Death story (after Mort), 10th novel overall, and one of the strongest so far in the Discworld series. Pratchett's unique talents are in full force with Death, an amazingly funny, amusing guy. Reaper Man gets off to a hilarious start with a new set of goofballs, agents of the god Azreal, informing Death that his turn is up. Apparently no matter the (near god-like) occupation or (multi-millennial) tenure, one can be fired and replaced. Such news is not simply a downer for Death; oh no, this unhappy event literally signals his death. For him to die, however, he has to first become alive. He wanders into a corn field and settles down for a day or few as a helping hand for a widow. Life, he finds, is more than he'd imagined. Doesn't take him long to decide that he isn't going to take death lying down.

While Death's learning a few of life's lessons, Discworld is suffering the consequences of his retirement. If a 130 year old wizard--such as the cranky old geezer Windle Poons--kicks off, and Death is not around to move him on, what happens? Zombiehood, that's what (turns out Windle isn't gonna take not dying lying down either). Discworld starts to fill up with extra life (or untended death, which is pretty much the same thing), and the results are a hoot. Some of the later half of Poons' story gets a bit disjointed and silly, but the surrounding cast, from the bumbling wizards to the mildly protesting undead, are well-fleshed out (in spirit, anyway) and laugh-out-loud funny.

The parallel story of Death stays focused and always engaging and funny. And Pratchett goes further with Reaper Man: the conclusion has real substance, providing serious insights with regard to human life and death. Reaper Man is very, very good. Highly recommended.

Thief of Time (Discworld)

Terry Pratchett

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 94 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The most fun of the recent Discworld novels 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Thief of Time is the most fun of the recent Discworld novels, avoiding the more somber tone of some. Pratchett's satire touches on martial arts, Eastern monastic mysticism, mad scientists, time, teaching, chocolate lovers, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and (somehow) the Beatles. The villains are the bureaucratic Auditors who want to put an end to the messy chaos of life. That their plan gets them into much more trouble than they expected is one of the most amusing parts of the book. The fate of one renegade Auditor is poignant. The action is fast-paced and keeps your interest the whole time. Highly recommended for a Discworld fan.

Editorial Review:

The phenomenal 20 million copy bestselling author and king of satirical fiction delivers another ingenious novel. The 26th installment in Terry Pratchett's worldwide bestselling Discworld series -- published concurrently with the UK edition. Discworld is a topsy-turvy, magical place, carried serenely through the Universe on the back of the Great Turtle. In the comic tradition of Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide.

Thud!: A Discworld Novel (Discworld)

Terry Pratchett

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 113 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Not great... 2 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Terry Practhett is one of my all time favourite writers, I've bought every book he's written since Mort and usually make sure to get them in hardcover. However I'm just not that impressed with Thud (or Going Postal for that matter). Over his last several books Pratchett seems to have dropped his previous tendency to rotate characters and scenarios, and bar Thief of Time and Monstrous Regiment, hasn't set a book beyond the borders of Ankh Morkpork in almost a decade.

This would be all very good and well if Pratchett hadn't decided to invest his personal philosophy in the situations his characters encounter in Ankh Morpork. More often than not I have felt like Pratchett's work is attempting to push a philsophical, ethical position and amounts to an amusing attempt to proselytize. As a result, humour takes a back seat to Pratchett's attempts to make points about the real world using the Discworld. After a while this becomes as annoying and patronising, and has the effect of blunting the edge of Pratchett's usually keen wit.

Personally I feel Pratchett hit his peak between Wyrd Sisters and Carpe Jugulum. The earlier work is like silly intellectual scattershot, and the more recent stuff is, quite frankly, rather flat. Perhaps if Pratchett wasn't being forced to knock out two books a year he could return to his previous levels of inspiration. Of course the very fact that I can only rate Pratchett against his own work is a testament to his genius, it's just I feel rather sad that I no longer feel the instant urge to buy a Discworld novel when I see it on the new arrivals shelf of my local bookstore.

Editorial Review:

Kroom Valley? That was where the trolls ambushed the dwarfs, or the dwarfs ambushed the trolls. It was a long time ago. But if he doesn’t solve the murder of just one dwarf, Commander Sam Vimes is going to see fighting again, right outside his office.

Feet of Clay (Discworld Novel S.)

Terry Pratchett

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 99 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Terry Pratchett is Thomas Pynchon 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Has anyone else noticed this? Thomas Pynchon and Terry Pratchett are the same guy! Their concerns are the same, their love of humanity, their understanding of the need for hope and compassion; their delicious word-play is the same. It's the same guy!
Pynchon took 11 years to write his masterpiece, "Against the Day." Why? Because he was ALSO writing a Discworld novel every year. Pynchon is notoriously reclusive, and now we know why! He's really Terry Pratchett.
This is a great novel: touching, hopeful, kind, funny, wise. One of Pratchett's very best, and that means one of the best novels of our time. But why would we expect any less of Pynchon?
I once wondered which of these two authors would win a Nobel prize first. And now I know: both of them, at the same time.

For fans of Carrot and the Night watch 4 out of 5 stars.
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It is a nice read, but not really memorable.
I liked it, as it features my favourite character, Carrot but it is not as funny as some other books in the series (like e.g. Guards! Guards!).

It features golems, witch makes this book interesting, though the readers do not get a chance to "see into their heads" up until the end of the book, unlike in Going Postal.

I would recommend this book to fans of the Night Watch, or the Disworld fans who would like to read all the books, but this is not a good starting point, its just not funny enough or does not have concepts deep enough to pull the uninitiated Pratchett reader into reading all the books they can get their hands on.

Maskerade (Discworld Novels)

Terry Pratchett

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 69 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Maskerading as... 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Terry Pratchett's satirical eye doesn't spare anybody or anything, and in his nineteenth Discworld book "Maskerade," it's opera's turn to suffer. In his typically barbed prose, he gleefully spoofs the "Phantom of the Opera," lampoons opera in general, and takes the opportunity to take everyone's favorite witches out to Ankh-Morpork.

Magrat Garlick is newly married and crowned. As a result, Granny Weatherwax is moody and bored, while Nanny pens an erotic cookbook -- and when it turns out that she's being cheated of royalties, Granny decides to go to Ankh-Morpork and confront her publisher. Meanwhile, the primary witch-maiden candidate, Agnes Nitt, has also gone to Ankh-Morpork to become an opera singer.

But the opera isn't all it's cracked up to be -- Agnes finds herself providing the voice for pretty, airheaded Christine, and the opera ghost is causing some major disasters. Granny and Nanny immerse themselves in the backstage -- and onstage -- drama of the opera, trying to figure out who the Phantom is... and why he's a friend one minute and a foe the next.

It's obvious that the opera holds no awe for Pratchett. Sure, the novel is a spoof of Gaston Leroux's novel, but Pratchett's real intention here is to constantly make fun of the opera, both as entertainment and art form. The entire climax of the book is devoted to making fun of opera's illogic, lack of acting, and such time-honored traditions as a dying person flawlessly singing for about fifteen minutes before expiring.

But it's not all opera spoofery. Despite some grisly deaths and the psycho Phantom (who sends notes filled with maniacal laughter), getting the witches out of Lancre gives the whole story a light, fun feel. It has some darker scenes, such as Granny playing cards with Death for a baby's life, but most of it is dedicated to the witches doing the sort of weird things they'd never do at home (impersonating duchesses, for one).

Pratchett sprinkles the storyline with hilarious dialogue, wacky situations (Nanny Ogg moonlights as the world's fattest ballerina), and some swashbuckling. And he includes a small message as well, about being the sort of person we actually want to be -- and how "masks" on the outside can change us.

Agnes Nitt has a lot of pagetime, but she seems rather fussy and pallid next to Granny and Nanny -- we get to see just how strong their friendship really is, despite their bickering. Granny shines especially, courtesy of a shopping spree, some coach rides and some dodgy darkish magic. And we have a wide array of timid janitors, annoying managers and airheaded sopranos to round out the cast.

"Maskerade" is a gleeful, glorious spoof of opera in general, and a fun outing for the Lancre witches. Definitely a solid entry for Pratchett.

Editorial Review:

There are strange goings-on at the Opera House in Ankh-Morpork. A ghost in a white mask is murdering quite a lot of people, and two witches take a hand in unravelling the mystery.

Witches Abroad (Discworld Novels)

Terry Pratchett

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 56 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Stories Within Stories 4 out of 5 stars.
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Interesting idea about the evil queen running stories. Of course the good witch wins in the end. Not Pratchett's very best but certainly worth reading if you like Disc World!

Editorial Review:

Be careful what you wish for...

Once upon a time there was a fairy godmother named Desiderata who had a good heart, a wise head, and poor planning skills—which unforunately left the Princess Emberella in the care of her other (not quite so good and wise) godmother when DEATH came for Desiderata. So now it's up to Magrat Garlick, Granny Weatherwax, and Nanny Ogg to hop on broomsticks and make for far-distant Genua to ensure the servant girl doesn't marry the Prince.

But the road to Genua is bumpy, and along the way the trio of witches encounters the occasional vampire, werewolf, and falling house (well this is a fairy tale, after all). The trouble really begins once these reluctant foster-godmothers arrive in Genua and must outwit their power-hungry counterpart who'll stop at nothing to achieve a proper "happy ending"—even if it means destroying a kingdom.

Small Gods (Discworld Novel S.)

Terry Pratchett

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Total reviews: 133 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The Turtle Moves 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

"Small Gods" is the thirteenth book in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, and was first published in 1992.

Omnia lies on the Klatchian coast, between the Klatchian desert and Howondaland's jungles. The country is run by religious fundamentalists, with the Cenobiarch officially in charge of both the church and the state. However, the real power lies with Vorbis, head of the Quisition - who most people expect to be anointed the Eighth Prophet. (It's been 200 years since the Declaration of the Prophet Abbys, which means that the time of the Eighth Prophet was at hand - Om tends to have very punctual prophets). Vorbis terrifies most people he meets, which is hardly surprising given his job title and his physical appearance probably helps - shaven all over and eyes of the deepest black.

The Omnians have very firm beliefs - that Om is the only god and that the Discworld is round, for example. Anyone who says differently, however, is branded a heretic and booked in for an appointment with the Quisition. Unfortunately the Omnians are entirely wrong - there are plenty of gods on the Discworld, with many of the more important deities living at Dunmanifestin. Furthermore, the Discworld is flat and is supported on the backs of four great elephants - which, in turn, are carried by the great turtle A'Tuin. Vorbis, however, isn't too happy that many people in Omnia have started to believe these heretical lies - with Ephebe being blamed as the source of the wicked rumours in question. Their righteous anger has been compounded by an attack on Brother Murduck, who was visiting Ephebe, and the burning of the Omnian fleet. (Those who live in Ephebe, however, considered that an act of pre-emptive defence, following Om's invasion and occupation of Betrek and Ushistan).

Things are going to get any better for Vorbis either - as it turns out, Om's eighth prophet is Brutha. On paper, he seems to be a strange choice : Brutha, after all, is only a novice who works in a vegetable garden. (However, given that Lu-Tze - the noted History Monk - is looking after him, it's no surprise Furthermore, he can't read, write or sing - although, thanks to his amazing memory, he knows the Septateuch by heart. Neither is Om's return as glorious as his flock would have expected. Instead of arriving as an eagle, a lion or a bull, as is traditional, he arrives as a tortoise. He can't manage anything better due to their lack of belief in him - people believe in the church, its rules and especially the Quisition...but as far as real, honest, genuine belief in Om goes, Brutha is just about the height of it. Unsurprisingly, it's only a matter of time before Brutha and Vorbis meet. In fact, Vorbis decides to bring Brutha along on a very important (and officially peaceful) mission to Ephebe. Brutha, in turns, secretly brings Om...

As usual, a very enjoyable book from Pratchett - and being one of his `standalone' novels, it's a good place to begin if you haven't read any other of the Discworld books. (For those who have read a couple of the Ankh-Morpork books, the appearance of a character called Cut-Me-Own-Hand-Off Dblah will probably raise a smile though). Om and Brutha prove to be very likeable characters, and they have a very good effect on each other. Om grasps the concept of fairness, rather than smiting just because he feels like it. Brutha, on the other hand, stops blindly accepting what has been written - largely because, when he quotes scripture, Om replies hasn't got a clue what he's talking about. (As it turns out, Om didn't dictate the holy books...Ossory managed to come up with one hundred and ninety three chapters when Om appeared as a pillar of fire and said "hey, see what I can do !"). Definitely recommended.

Interesting Times (Discworld)

Terry Pratchett

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Total reviews: 82 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Disc Dis-Oriented 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful.

Rincewind the non-magical wizard is a stock character in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. Rincewind (one knows he is a wizard because it says so on his pointy hat) specializes in cowardice and running away. He is the complete anti-hero, the ultimate pawn of Fate and whatever god is having a bad day in Discworld's home of the gods, Dun Manifestin. Any book with Rincewind in it is sure to be fine satire.

Rincewind began his career in a double novel story THE COLOR OF MAGIC and THE LIGHT FANTASTIC at the end of which he is presented with the Luggage. I always picture the Luggage as an old fashioned steamer trunk with a lot of little feet along the bottom edge. The Luggage is vicious. Anyone who has ever wrestled with a suitcase will understand.

In INTERESTING TIMES, Rincewind is summoned to the Discworld's equivalent to the Orient. Terry Pratchett seems to have consumed a whole series of "samurai" novels combined with a course on Chinese history and regurgitated it back up as this very funny tale of how the five noble families of the Counterweight Continent contend for the Empire: the Hongs, the Sungs, the Tangs, the McSweeneys and the Fangs.

Yes, you heard me right. The McSweeneys. In this fine satiric fantasy the reader can learn about the Art of War and also how Luggage gets made. This is wicked fun for literate readers!

Editorial Review:

Hilarious stage adaptation of a best-selling Pratchett novel.

Moving Pictures (Discworld)

Terry Pratchett

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 49 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Not Free SF Reader 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pratchett chooses yet another industry to satirise, and Hollywood and the whole movie business isn't a bad choice.

A fledgling industry starts up, complete with producers, stars, and all the other hangers-on, until it is discovered that actually doing this movie thing is really, really bad for the discworld.

Movie Magic 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I'm going to be lazy here and borrow heavily from the review of the last Discworld book I read recently because really, it's about the same thing.

When it comes to some airplane/beach reading, Terry Pratchett's Discworld books are definitely not a bad choice if you're a sci-fi/fantasy fan. They're light, not too long, and funny in that British kind of way. They'll make you think a little bit, but not too much to make your head hurt. The mixture of comedy, action, and a little romance is just right for when you want an enjoyable book that isn't too heavy and overbearing.

That said, "Moving Pictures" is the fifth of Pratchett's Discworld novels I've read and it didn't really make much of an impact on me. It killed a couple hours at the airport, on the plane, and later at work but that was really about it. Mostly, this felt the same as the other Discworld books I'd read where some seemingly innocuous thing created by some fringe character threatens to destroy the universe until a ragtag bunch of non-heroes band together to stop it.

In this case an alchemist is conducting one of his idiotic experiments when he lo and behold SUCCEEDS at making something useful! What he invents is the Discworld equivalent of film. Before long he and his fellow alchemists head off to an abandoned place called Holy Wood and begin shooting silent movies that are made by imps quickly painting images onto the film while one of the alchemists turns a handle that "motivates" the imps to keep working.

Meanwhile, Victor is a wizard student at Unseen University who because of his uncle's will doesn't want to graduate and doesn't want to drop out either; he just wants to coast along like a less wild "Van Wilder." But when he sees a "click" as the silent films are known as, he heads off to Holy Wood along with thousands of other starstruck humans, trolls, and even dogs. Victor becomes a moving picture star along with a woman named Ginger.

Before long a former sausage salesman becomes a big-time movie producer and endeavors to put on the mother of all clicks--with a thousand elephants! But all this meddling with mysterious forces in abandoned places is bound to lead to trouble--trouble fit for a click!

All these different plot threads come together fairly well in the end as all our non-heroes battle weird Things for the fate of the Discworld. Still, as I said, even though I've only read four of these it felt like I'd read most of this before with only the specifics changed. I suppose when you write as many of these as Pratchett has it's easy to fall into a formula, albeit an enjoyable formula.

I did enjoy this one slightly more than the previous one I read if only because it was fun to play "spot the reference" in terms of real movies like "Gone With the Wind," "King Kong," "Lassie," and "Casablanca" among others. The real film industry was about as primitive as the Holy Wood version early on, only without the imps and trolls.

As I said at the beginning though, if you want some light reading that is a little more substantial and enjoyable than the latest Nicholas Sparks or James Patterson rag, Pratchett is your man. It just probably doesn't matter WHICH one you read.

That is all.

Editorial Review:

The alchemists of the Discworld have discovered the magic of the silver screen. But what is the dark secret of Holy Wood Hill? It’s up to Victor Tugelbend (“Can’t sing. Can’t dance. Can handle a sword a little”) and Theda Withel (“I come from a little town you’ve probably never heard of”) to find out.

Eric (Discworld Novels)

Terry Pratchett

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 53 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Not Free SF Reader 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Or, Rincewind goes to Hell. In other words, Pratchett has decided to again spoof another couple of pieces of writing.

A young lad wants to do the whole power, fame, women, etc. thing and tries to summon a demon. Much to his disappointment, he gets Rincewind.

You also get Death, the Librarian, the Luggage, and a parrot.

Fast, funny, clever 4 out of 5 stars.
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This is the story of Eric Thursley, a young man with three small ambitions--he wants to rule the world, live forever, and secure the love of the most beautiful woman who ever lived. To achieve his goals, Eric attempts to summon a demon. Through a cosmic fluke, he gets Rincewind, Discworld's most incompetent wizard. Bound by the rules of the netherworld, Rincewind grants Eric's wishes, but not in the manner Eric expects. Over the course of the novel, Eric learns that there is only one thing worse than wanting something--actually getting it.

Pratchett does some funny riffs here, putting a humorous spin on such classics as The Iliad and The Odyssey. Especially funny is the Tezuman tribe, who, like Mark Twain, have concluded that God is a malign thug. This pessimistic, sour bunch has a score to settle with their creator, and when Eric shows up claiming to be the big kahuna, chaos ensues. If you're looking for a quick read, that's funny, fast and clever, this one's for you.

Editorial Review:

Thirteen-year-old Eric and Rincewood the wizard have many adventures trying to escape from the equally horrifying and ludicrous beings and places of the magical Dungeon Dimension.