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David McK (3425 KP) rated Equal Rites: Discworld Novel 3 in Books
Oct 17, 2021
Extremely early (only the third!) Discworld book, and the first appearance of the marvellous Granny Weatherwax - one of the late, great, Sir Terry Pratchett's best creations.
It's also somewhat obvious that Pratchett is still settling into his groove here; still finding his feet as an author, and still expanding upon the actual Discworld itself - there's little, here, in the way of the footnotes that some of the later entries have in abundance, while there are also aspects of Unseen University and of the races that live on the Disc that, shall we say, 'mutate' in those later entries - this is well before the time of, say, Mustrum Ridcully, with the UU itself and the wizards who inhabit it come across very different than they do later.
That, by the by, is not a knock - more of an observation.
The plot in this one involves Granny Weatherwaxes first student, Eskarina Smith, who - due t0 a mixup at birth - is destined to become the Discs first female Wizard - a profession previously only practiced by those of the male sex.
But, you know what they say (apparently), 'nary a slip twixt cup and lip' ...
It's also somewhat obvious that Pratchett is still settling into his groove here; still finding his feet as an author, and still expanding upon the actual Discworld itself - there's little, here, in the way of the footnotes that some of the later entries have in abundance, while there are also aspects of Unseen University and of the races that live on the Disc that, shall we say, 'mutate' in those later entries - this is well before the time of, say, Mustrum Ridcully, with the UU itself and the wizards who inhabit it come across very different than they do later.
That, by the by, is not a knock - more of an observation.
The plot in this one involves Granny Weatherwaxes first student, Eskarina Smith, who - due t0 a mixup at birth - is destined to become the Discs first female Wizard - a profession previously only practiced by those of the male sex.
But, you know what they say (apparently), 'nary a slip twixt cup and lip' ...
Tron (26 KP) rated Monstrous Regiment: (Discworld Novel 31) in Books
May 15, 2017
Surprisingly inspiring for young ladies (2 more)
Beautifully satirical look at the impact of war on small communities
Terry Pratchett's amazing sense of humour
Re-readable again and again!
I love this book to Death. It's one of my go to reads because it's so easy to relate to the characters, to have a good laugh and to still have a deep think about the world all at once. It's easier to follow than a lot of Discworld novels and is a stand alone story so give it a go!
SquidGirl (13 KP) rated Sourcery: Discworld: The Unseen University Collection in Books
Dec 12, 2018
So I usually really like reading Discworld books and I usually love Rincewind stories, but this book was a bit of a bust, I struggled to read it because it was, for me, really slow paced. I really like Conina, she was an excellent character and of course I liked the Luggage, cause who doesn't?
The other two characters I wasn't very keen on, they kind of bored me. Coin was a really good character and the ending was amazing with Rincewind being brave for once!
The other two characters I wasn't very keen on, they kind of bored me. Coin was a really good character and the ending was amazing with Rincewind being brave for once!
David McK (3425 KP) rated Feet of Clay (Discworld, #19; City Watch, #3) in Books
Jan 28, 2019 (Updated Feb 8, 2024)
This, I always felt, was one of the weaker City Watch Discworld books.
I'm not sure why, but this is one that never really springs to mind when asked about those books: IMO, it's not as 'fresh' as "Guards! Guards!|" as entertaining as "Men at Arms" or "Jingo", nor has as much to say as "Night Watch", "Thud!" or "Snuff".
Maybe because it is more or less in the middle of the City Watch series?
Having said that, even a below-par [author:Terry Pratchett|1654] is well above par for may others ...
I'm not sure why, but this is one that never really springs to mind when asked about those books: IMO, it's not as 'fresh' as "Guards! Guards!|" as entertaining as "Men at Arms" or "Jingo", nor has as much to say as "Night Watch", "Thud!" or "Snuff".
Maybe because it is more or less in the middle of the City Watch series?
Having said that, even a below-par [author:Terry Pratchett|1654] is well above par for may others ...
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Guards! Guards! Discworld Novel 8 in Books
Mar 19, 2018
A great introduction to the City Watch
You've got to hand it to Terry Pratchett, he knows how to write a good fantasy novel.
Guards! Guards! is yet another great Discworld novel, and the first to introduce Captain Vimes and the City Watch. Vimes himself is a loveable anti-hero who develops greatly over the course of the novel and the same too can be said for the other members of the Watch. Carrot the 'dwarf' provides a real introduction to the Watch and also a lot of the humour from his exploits, and I loved seeing a lot more of the Librarian.
The plot itself on the face of it is a fantasy fairy tale filled story of dragons, maidens and heroes. But with every Pratchett novel, beneath it lies dark wit and humour, and a slightly sad social commentary on human greed and corruption. There are a lot of references in this to other media, like The Hobbit, which really poke fun at the myths and lore used in the fantasy genre.
A great read with some very engaging characters. A little rambling at times, but fortunately the rest of the book makes up for it! Discworld books are the only books that can really make me laugh out loud.
Guards! Guards! is yet another great Discworld novel, and the first to introduce Captain Vimes and the City Watch. Vimes himself is a loveable anti-hero who develops greatly over the course of the novel and the same too can be said for the other members of the Watch. Carrot the 'dwarf' provides a real introduction to the Watch and also a lot of the humour from his exploits, and I loved seeing a lot more of the Librarian.
The plot itself on the face of it is a fantasy fairy tale filled story of dragons, maidens and heroes. But with every Pratchett novel, beneath it lies dark wit and humour, and a slightly sad social commentary on human greed and corruption. There are a lot of references in this to other media, like The Hobbit, which really poke fun at the myths and lore used in the fantasy genre.
A great read with some very engaging characters. A little rambling at times, but fortunately the rest of the book makes up for it! Discworld books are the only books that can really make me laugh out loud.
The Magic of Terry Pratchett
9.0
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About The Magic of Terry Pratchett The Magic Of Terry Pratchett is the first full biography of Sir...
Discworld Terry Pratchett Biography
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Raising Steam: (Discworld Novel 40) in Books
Jul 31, 2017
Good but probably the weakest of the 3
Moist Von Lipwig is one of my favourite Discworld characters. I loved him in Going Postal, as he's a scoundrel and a bit of a rogue, but a charmingly funny and loveable one. My issue mainly with this is that despite stating numerous times throughout this book, Moist is no longer much of a scoundrel and is now pretty much domesticised, which is very disappointing.
However that said, it's still a fun, enjoyable read and take on the railway. I loved the addition of the goblins although i did still miss Gladys and Mr Pump.
However that said, it's still a fun, enjoyable read and take on the railway. I loved the addition of the goblins although i did still miss Gladys and Mr Pump.
Charley (64 KP) rated Wyrd Sisters (Discworld, #6; Witches #2) in Books
Jan 27, 2019
Well I have always had a soft spot for Terry Pratchett book and his stories about the discworld transport you to this amazing place.
He has a dark sense of humour that you can see throughout his books.
Wyrd sisters is one of my favourites of his Books. This is the first in a series of his books about three witches. It's funny right from the start and the complexity of his characters always amaze me.
If you like a book with good characters, funny jokes and a touch of magic then this is the books for you.
He has a dark sense of humour that you can see throughout his books.
Wyrd sisters is one of my favourites of his Books. This is the first in a series of his books about three witches. It's funny right from the start and the complexity of his characters always amaze me.
If you like a book with good characters, funny jokes and a touch of magic then this is the books for you.
The Shepherd's Crown
Terry Pratchett and Paul Kidby
9.0
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A shivering of worlds. Deep in the Chalk, something is stirring. The owls and the foxes can sense...
David McK (3425 KP) rated The Last Hero (Discworld, #27; Rincewind #7) in Books
Jan 28, 2019
<i>Fable (noun): a story about supernatural or extraordinary persons or incidents; legend: the fables of gods and heroes.
[from http://dictionary.reference.com]</i>;
This short story by Terry Pratchett ticks all those boxes with the blurb on my edition reading:
"He's been a legend in his own lifetime.
He can remember the great days of high adventure.
He can remember when a hero didn't have to worry about fences and lawyers and civilisation.
He can remember when people didn't tell you off for killing dragons.
But he can't alwyas remember, these days, where he put his teeth ...
He's not really happy about that bit.
.... He's going to climb the highest mountain in the Discworld and meet his gods. He doesn't like the way they let men grow old and die ... "
What ensues is, by the standards of Discworld novels, perhaps a return to the earlier novels that featured the gods (and Cohen the Barbarian) more prominently than the more recent. Also involved prominently in this story are the Wiz(z)ard Rincewind, Captain Carrot and Leonard of Quirm, with that latter character given more of a role than in the few previous he has been in (excepting, maybe, Jingo).
This is also unusual in that it is an illustrated story: whereas I've always found illustrations to be inferior to imagination when it comes to visualising events and characters, it does add an extra layer to this story - particularly where it concerns Leonard's creations.
[from http://dictionary.reference.com]</i>;
This short story by Terry Pratchett ticks all those boxes with the blurb on my edition reading:
"He's been a legend in his own lifetime.
He can remember the great days of high adventure.
He can remember when a hero didn't have to worry about fences and lawyers and civilisation.
He can remember when people didn't tell you off for killing dragons.
But he can't alwyas remember, these days, where he put his teeth ...
He's not really happy about that bit.
.... He's going to climb the highest mountain in the Discworld and meet his gods. He doesn't like the way they let men grow old and die ... "
What ensues is, by the standards of Discworld novels, perhaps a return to the earlier novels that featured the gods (and Cohen the Barbarian) more prominently than the more recent. Also involved prominently in this story are the Wiz(z)ard Rincewind, Captain Carrot and Leonard of Quirm, with that latter character given more of a role than in the few previous he has been in (excepting, maybe, Jingo).
This is also unusual in that it is an illustrated story: whereas I've always found illustrations to be inferior to imagination when it comes to visualising events and characters, it does add an extra layer to this story - particularly where it concerns Leonard's creations.