Discworld Books - Page 6

Sourcery

Terry Pratchett

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Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Rincewind in love 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Concerning the delights of wine, women, and song, wizards can drink and croon with the worst of us (thank the gods karaoke hasn't been invented on Discworld), but the middle pleasure is strictly forbidden. This book deals with the consequences of two wizards mixing it up with the fairer sex.

The first wizard, Ipslore the Red fathers the eighth son of an eighth son, who is a wizard squared, i.e. a sourcerer. The Lore strictly forbids wizards to breed, for fear of sourcery, because the last time it appeared on Discworld, the Apocraplypse (Pratchett's spelling) was narrowly averted. When Ipslore's sourcerous (Pratchett's spelling) son crashes through the gates of the Unseen University, even the gargoyles have sense enough to flee, although not the majority of the wizards.

The second wizard, Rincewind the Inept falls in love (as does his Luggage) with the daughter of a temple dancer for some mad god. She enters the narrative while breaking into the Unseen University and stealing the Archmage's hat. Rincewind meets Conina while drinking himself under the table at Ankh-Morpork's coolest tavern, the Mended Drum. He soon discovers, after the requisite bloody bar fight, that his new companion also happens to be the daughter of Cohen the Barbarian. Her secret dream is to become a hairdresser, but she has to work hard at controlling her reflexes when she has a sharp object, e.g. scissors, comb, or a broken bottle in her hand.

The Discworld novels starring the cowardly wizard, Rincewind were never my favorites, but "Sourcery" also features the Librarian (who happens to be an orangutan), and a whole horde of inept wizards who suddenly turn ept when the Sourcerer appears in their midst.

One of my favorite scenes occurs when a newly empowered wizard turns Ankh-Morpork's Patrician into a small yellow lizard.

Naturally the wizards immediately go to war with each other to determine who is the most powerful. Only Rincewind, Conina, and Nijel the Destroyer, son of Harebut the Provision Merchant can save Discworld from their sourcerous folly.

With a little help from the Librarian.

Going Postal (Discworld Novels): Adapted for the Stage

Terry Pratchett

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

This is a play. 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 2 people found this review helpful.

The reviews for this product don't make it clear that this edition is a STAGE ADAPTATION. Yes, I know it says "adapted for the stage" on the cover, but I didn't notice it when I bought it. I thought it was the novel. The play is FABULOUS! However, if you want to read the whole thing first, purchase the hardcover edition.

Editorial Review:

Moist von Lipwig was a con artist, a fraud, and a man faced with a life choice: be hanged, or put Ankh-Morpork's ailing postal service back on its feet.

It was a tough decision.

With the help of a golem who has been at the bottom of a hole in the ground for over two hundred years, a pin fanatic, and Junior Postman Groat, he's got to see that the mail gets through. In taking on the evil chairman of the Grand Trunk Semaphore Company and a midnight killer, he's also got to stay alive.

Getting a date with Adora Bell Dearheart would be nice, too.

In the mad world of the mail, can a criminal succeed where honest men have failed and died? Perhaps there's a shot at redemption for a man who's prepared to push the envelope...

Going Postal isthe stage adaptation of Terry Pratchett's latest best-selling Discworld novel.

Mort: The Play (Discworld Series)

Terry Pratchett

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Total reviews: 121 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

good introduction to the series 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I tossed this one back in my TBR pile after my son read it to give me an excuse to re-read. I hadn't forgotten how much I enjoyed this first Death book, and hadn't really forgotten the details either, but it was wonderfully fun revisiting it.

The basic premise, for anyone who hasn't read the Discworld books, is that Death takes an apprentice, Mort. This is where we learn of the theory behind Death's job, and his affection for kittens, as well as his curiosity about and inability to understand humans, particularly that emotion stuff.

Mort, unsurprisingly, makes a bit of a mess of things, and his attempts to fix it just make things worse. There's some interesting (and hilarious, of course--nobody missed the memo on that, right? Terry Pratchett = very, very funny unless otherwise indicated) theory about destiny and what happens when you mess with it, and also about the nature of history.

Mort's one of the earlier Discworld books, and it shows, because it's not nearly as complex as later ones, but it's got the serious bones overlaid with fantasy and humor that's common to the whole series.

It's also a very good introduction to the series, better, I think, than the first, Rincewind books. It's short, uncomplicated, and doesn't draw on knowledge or events from previous books. And did I mention it's funny? I'm incapable of reading a Pratchett book if there's anyone within shouting distance without reading lines aloud to them.

Editorial Review:

Adapted for the stage by Stephen Briggs, this tells the story of Mort, who has been chosen as Death's apprentice. He gets board and lodging and free use of company horse, and doesn't even need time off for his grandmother's funeral. The trouble begins when instead of collecting the soul of a princess, he kills her would-be assassin, and changes history.

Men at Arms: Men at Arms (Discworld Novels)

Terry Pratchett

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Total reviews: 75 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

In which the nature of royalty and obsession is explored 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Edward D'Eath by chance becomes obsessed with the royal line of Anhk Morpork, the city watch enjoys the benefits of several directions of integration, Sam Vimes of the Night Watch prepares to retire to a life of comfort and other torments, the harsh and serious nature of clowns is considered, the genteel and sophisticated nature of Assassins is considered, and the fruits of allowing a certifiable genius to run loose with tools are sown.

As an obsessed Assassin works behind the scenes to restore the heir to the royal family of Anhk Morpork to the throne, the unsuspecting presumed heir walks the streets of Anhk Morpork commanding the respect of the crimenal element of the city. This is most unusual as he is a junior Watchman.

An invention of Leonard of Quirm is loose in the city, and as the inventions of madmen and geniuses (and Leonard is both in his own special fashion) are wont to do, it is making mischief.

Sam Vimes is about to marry the wealthiest woman in the city, and the clash of cultures is brilliant social commentary.

And the dogs of A-MP have a leader with a dark vision of the supremacy of canines over bipeds...

This is Terry Pratchett at his best! Discworld is in fine form, reflecting the obsession with royals, gun control, affirmative action, political action, and the dark side of clowns. One of the best of DIscworld.

Editorial Review:

Another wild romp through Discworld! Corporal Carrot, a young dwarf, is newly in charge of the recruits guarding Ankh-Morpork. Edward, the 37th Lord d'Eath, has just discovered that Ankh-Morpork, kingless for generations, has a sovereign ruler, who must be convinced that he is, in fact, the King. The fate of Ankh-Morpork rides on a young man's courage, an ancient sword's magic, and a three-legged poodle's bladder.

Pyramids (Discworld Novels)

Terry Pratchett

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GURPS Discworld

Phil Masters, Terry Pratchett

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

wow, SJGames does it again... 5 out of 5 stars.
41 of 51 people found this review helpful.

and absolutely blows me away with their Discworld supplement. before i read the Gurps books, i had never even heard of (let alone read) the Discworld book series or their author, Terry Prachett. now, of course, i am in love with the Disc. SJGames had disappointed me before with their attempts to adapt things for GURPS (the World of Darkness adaptations, in particular), but i could have read Gurps: Discworld, ignorign the rules, and still have laughed my ass off, marvelling at the imagination of Prachett and the beauty with which they condensed a huge (14 book) novel series into about 200 pages of humour, drama, adventure, and yes, stats. this is, of course, not to mention the absolutely GORGEOUS art littered about the insides. i don't know where they found Bill Kidby, but i hope they paid him enough to keep him interested in doing more work for Steve Jackson. basically, if oyu want a good sourcebook for the Discworld, well...world, if you want a book full of fabulous (and hilarious) fantasy art, or even if you want another GURPS book, make this it.

Pyramids (Discworld Novel S.)

Terry Pratchett

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Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

I laughed and laughed 4 out of 5 stars.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful.

It is obvious from reading other reviews that readers of Terry Pratchett each have their own particular favourites, and these can vary wildly. `Pyramids' was the first of his books that I read and even though I have now read most of them it remains, in my opinion, one of the best. What did I like about it? Well, the concept of a king who was actually trained to be an assassin (rather than one who took on the role to get there) was a good start. A kingdom called Djelibeybi (you have to say it aloud) that remarkably resembles Egypt, but skewed in the way that only Pratchett's Discworld series can, was also clever. Add to that swipes at pyramidology, the way some of religions followers abuse the power they get from it, and a teenage hero concerned about all the normal things that teenagers are concerned about, and you get a funny book. Perhaps my favourite bit is that camels are the smartest creatures on the disc (maybe you have to have met some camels to really understand that). If you are a fan of Terry Pratchett, there is a fair chance you will like this book. If you've never read him before, buy `Pyramids' and prepare to laugh.

Pyramids (Discworld)

Terry Pratchett

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 42 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Standing On The Shoulders Of My Ancestors 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Terry Pratchett's first novel, "The Carpet People", appeared in 1971. "Pyramids" is the seventh novel in his hugely popular Discworld series and was first published in 1989. It's the first - and, to date, only - book to feature Teppic, and is largely set in his home country of Djelibeybi.

As the book opens, Teppic (or Pteppic) is approaching the end of his education at Ankh-Morpork's Guild of Assassins. (The final exam, if failed, tends to be very......final). However, there is more to Teppic than dressing very stylishly and inhuming only for vast amounts of money. With the very recent death of his father, he has also become King Pteppicymon XXVIII of Djelibeybi. Teppic's home country is very obviously based on Egypt : it's two miles wide, one hundred and fifty miles long and runs along the river Djel. It has driven itself bankrupt, having spent seven thousand years building pyramids for its monarchs - invariably on the country's most fertile soil. Having become the first Pharoh to be educated outside Djelibeybi, Teppic finds it difficult to re-adapt to the traditions of his home country. He is technically a God and although he is officially Head of State, it's Dios - the very aged High Priest - who actually runs the country. Teppic isn't entirely impressed about this - he wants to introduce proper plumbing and pillows, for example. However, in spite of the country's debt, he does agree to building a massive pyramid for his late father. (This isn't something his late father - still pottering around as a ghost - isn't too impressed with). The final straw comes when Dios decides to feed Ptraci - the late King's favourite handmaiden - to the crocodiles. Teppic decides to become a little more politically active - and, luckily, he has a helpful education to fall back on.

Like everything else I've read by Pratchett, this is an excellent book. It's easily read, features plenty of likeable characters and there are plenty of laughs. As it's one of Pratchett's stand-alone books, it's a good starting point if you've never read any of the Discworld books before. (In a way, I find that a pity : I'd love to have known what became of Teppic and Ptraci). Definitely recommended !

Editorial Review:

It's bad enough being new on the job, but Teppic hasn't a clue as to what a pharaoh is supposed to do. After all, he's been trained at Ankh-Morpork's famed assassins' school, across the sea from the Kingdom of the Sun.First, there's the monumental task of building a suitable resting place for Dad -- a pyramid to end all pyramids. Then there are the myriad administrative duties, such as dealing with mad priests, sacred crocodiles, and marching mummies. And to top it all off, the adolescent pharaoh discovers deceit, betrayal -- not to mention aheadstrong handmaiden -- at the heart of his realm.

Pyramids (Discworld)

Terry Pratchett

Amazon Price: $69.95 List Price: $69.95 Usually ships in 1 to 2 months By: ISIS Audio Books Amazon Marketplace: 2 new & used starting at $40.00

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 42 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Standing On The Shoulders Of My Ancestors 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Terry Pratchett's first novel, "The Carpet People", appeared in 1971. "Pyramids" is the seventh novel in his hugely popular Discworld series and was first published in 1989. It's the first - and, to date, only - book to feature Teppic, and is largely set in his home country of Djelibeybi.

As the book opens, Teppic (or Pteppic) is approaching the end of his education at Ankh-Morpork's Guild of Assassins. (The final exam, if failed, tends to be very......final). However, there is more to Teppic than dressing very stylishly and inhuming only for vast amounts of money. With the very recent death of his father, he has also become King Pteppicymon XXVIII of Djelibeybi. Teppic's home country is very obviously based on Egypt : it's two miles wide, one hundred and fifty miles long and runs along the river Djel. It has driven itself bankrupt, having spent seven thousand years building pyramids for its monarchs - invariably on the country's most fertile soil. Having become the first Pharoh to be educated outside Djelibeybi, Teppic finds it difficult to re-adapt to the traditions of his home country. He is technically a God and although he is officially Head of State, it's Dios - the very aged High Priest - who actually runs the country. Teppic isn't entirely impressed about this - he wants to introduce proper plumbing and pillows, for example. However, in spite of the country's debt, he does agree to building a massive pyramid for his late father. (This isn't something his late father - still pottering around as a ghost - isn't too impressed with). The final straw comes when Dios decides to feed Ptraci - the late King's favourite handmaiden - to the crocodiles. Teppic decides to become a little more politically active - and, luckily, he has a helpful education to fall back on.

Like everything else I've read by Pratchett, this is an excellent book. It's easily read, features plenty of likeable characters and there are plenty of laughs. As it's one of Pratchett's stand-alone books, it's a good starting point if you've never read any of the Discworld books before. (In a way, I find that a pity : I'd love to have known what became of Teppic and Ptraci). Definitely recommended !

Editorial Review:

It's bad enough being new on the job, but Teppic hasn't a clue as to what a pharaoh is supposed to do. After all, he's been trained at Ankh-Morpork's famed assassins' school, across the sea from the Kingdom of the Sun.First, there's the monumental task of building a suitable resting place for Dad -- a pyramid to end all pyramids. Then there are the myriad administrative duties, such as dealing with mad priests, sacred crocodiles, and marching mummies. And to top it all off, the adolescent pharaoh discovers deceit, betrayal -- not to mention aheadstrong handmaiden -- at the heart of his realm.