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Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Mort in Books
Nov 20, 2019
In lots of ways Mort is the first book which feels like a 'proper' Discworld novel, fusing the fantasy setting, humour and allegorical commentary together into a delightful, coherent whole.
The story itself is a good one: Death takes on Mort as an apprentice so he can take a break. When Mort breaks the rules he causes a wound in space/time that needs to be healed. And the more Mort does the job of Death the more the job begins to take its toll on him.
There is so much to like about this book. The humour is spot-on with some great one-liners, characters and footnotes. The exploration of the mechanics of how Death really operates on the Discworld fits perfectly with the logic of how the rather unique world operates and is the first glimpse into just how complex and rich the series of books could be.
The Discworld was still evolving rapidly at this point and Mort represents a real statement of intent for the future.
The story itself is a good one: Death takes on Mort as an apprentice so he can take a break. When Mort breaks the rules he causes a wound in space/time that needs to be healed. And the more Mort does the job of Death the more the job begins to take its toll on him.
There is so much to like about this book. The humour is spot-on with some great one-liners, characters and footnotes. The exploration of the mechanics of how Death really operates on the Discworld fits perfectly with the logic of how the rather unique world operates and is the first glimpse into just how complex and rich the series of books could be.
The Discworld was still evolving rapidly at this point and Mort represents a real statement of intent for the future.
David McK (3227 KP) rated Making Money (Discworld #36; Moist Von Lipwig #2) in Books
May 26, 2019 (Updated Oct 4, 2020)
The second - and, following his untimely death in 2015, last - of the late, great Sir Terry Pratchett's Moist von Lipwig sub-series of Discworld novels (after 'Going Postal'), that see's Moist himself put in charge of the ailing Ankh-Morpork central bank, and introducing - shock! gasp! - a new form of paper currency.
To my recollection, this also is one of the few Discworld novels (41 in total, of which this was number 36) in which the Patrician plays a central role - he's in more than a few, yes, but not always to this extent - and in which he is fleshed out as a character. I would loved to have seen where his plans for Moist would have taken him ...
To my recollection, this also is one of the few Discworld novels (41 in total, of which this was number 36) in which the Patrician plays a central role - he's in more than a few, yes, but not always to this extent - and in which he is fleshed out as a character. I would loved to have seen where his plans for Moist would have taken him ...
David McK (3227 KP) rated Interesting Times (Discworld, #17; Rincewind #5) in Books
Nov 7, 2021
Last seen in (I believe) <i><s>Mort</s>Eric</i>, Terry Pratchett returns to his original Discworld characters of Rincewind and TwoFlower (and Cohen the Barbarian). In this entry, Rincewind is 'rescued' by the Wizards of Unseen University - a University that has changed since he was last there - from his desert island, only to be sent to the Counterweight Continent, where war is brewing ...
For some reason, this is not one of the Discworld books I would return to all that often (never found the Rincewind stories to be amongst the most enjoyable), but still has plenty of laugh out loud moments, alongside some other shrewd observations about life in general.
For some reason, this is not one of the Discworld books I would return to all that often (never found the Rincewind stories to be amongst the most enjoyable), but still has plenty of laugh out loud moments, alongside some other shrewd observations about life in general.
Cori June (3033 KP) rated Guards! Guards! Discworld Novel 8 in Books
Dec 3, 2018 (Updated Jun 16, 2021)
Sam Vines (2 more)
wit
L-space
I've reread the book, its been a couple of years. As an introduction to Discworld this is a good place to start. I really enjoy the fact that you don't have to read the Discworld series in order to grasp the main themes and ideas, most of the story arcs are self contained.
Samuel Vines is one of my favorite characters.
If you want a popular fantasy trope(s) flipped on its head this is a great series to read. Funny and surprisingly deep this story is an enjoyment for all. It's an adult book and it does deal with some dark things like alcoholism and other adult themes, but I'd let my nephews read it or I'd read it to them.
Samuel Vines is one of my favorite characters.
If you want a popular fantasy trope(s) flipped on its head this is a great series to read. Funny and surprisingly deep this story is an enjoyment for all. It's an adult book and it does deal with some dark things like alcoholism and other adult themes, but I'd let my nephews read it or I'd read it to them.
David McK (3227 KP) rated Jingo (Discworld, #21; City Watch, #4) in Books
Jan 9, 2022
It's hard to pick your favourite Discworld book.
It's hard even to pick your favourite that utilises a core set of characters.
If I was asked for my favourite Witches book, it would be a toss up between 'Lords and Ladies' and 'Maskerade'. My favourite stand-alone? Probably 'Small Gods'. My favourite Death? 'Soul Music'.
My favourite City Watch? Quite possibly this one.
It's hard even to pick your favourite that utilises a core set of characters.
If I was asked for my favourite Witches book, it would be a toss up between 'Lords and Ladies' and 'Maskerade'. My favourite stand-alone? Probably 'Small Gods'. My favourite Death? 'Soul Music'.
My favourite City Watch? Quite possibly this one.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated The Light Fantastic: Discworld Novel 2 in Books
Jul 27, 2017
Absolutely bonkers
This is possibly one of the craziest adventure books I've ever read, and I wouldn't expect any less of a Discworld book. It's bonkers, funny and such an entertaining read. Rincewind has really grown on me too as a character, although I don't feel Twoflower's eccentricities were highlighted quite as much in this book as in The Colour of Magic. Such a fun read.
Britt Smith (36 KP) rated The Light Fantastic: Discworld Novel 2 in Books
Mar 13, 2018
Yet again, this second part to The Color of Magic was absolutely brilliant. I marvel at Pratchett's ability to make me smile each and every page, while still giving forth characters that I can feel attached to. Marked as one of my favorite books, I will no doubt return to this one even as I make my way through all the novels of the Discworld.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Reaper Man (Discworld, #11; Death, #2) in Books
Mar 23, 2018
Not enough Death
I had high hopes for this book as Death is one of my favourite characters, but sadly it was a bit of a letdown.
Don't get me wrong, it isn't a bad book and is still quite good, it just isn't on par with a lot of the other Discworld books that I've read. Death is a fantastic character but he just isn't featured in this book enough (despite it being about life and death). The wizards and Windle Poons are featured more heavily and sadly they're not quite as loveable. They're funny in their own way, but they get a little rambling after a while. The plot too suffers from rambling as well and the whole concept is a little bit too bonkers, even for a Discworld novel.
It's still a good book and easy to read, it just isn't one of the best in the series.
Don't get me wrong, it isn't a bad book and is still quite good, it just isn't on par with a lot of the other Discworld books that I've read. Death is a fantastic character but he just isn't featured in this book enough (despite it being about life and death). The wizards and Windle Poons are featured more heavily and sadly they're not quite as loveable. They're funny in their own way, but they get a little rambling after a while. The plot too suffers from rambling as well and the whole concept is a little bit too bonkers, even for a Discworld novel.
It's still a good book and easy to read, it just isn't one of the best in the series.
David McK (3227 KP) rated Wyrd Sisters (Discworld, #6; Witches #2) in Books
Apr 18, 2022
The Scottish Play, Discworld style!
(From the blurb):
"Witches are not by their nature gregarious, and they certainly don't have leaders. Granny Weatherwax was the most highly-regarded of the leaders they didn't have. But even she found that meddling in royal politics was a lot more difficult than certain playwrights would have you believe ... "
An early Discworld novel (only #6 in a series that has just reached the 40 mark), this is also only the second appearance of Granny Weatherwax (after Equal Rites) and, I believe, the first of Nanny Ogg or Magrat Garlick.
The plot, of course, is loosely based around that of MacBeth (or 'The Scottish Play', for those of a superstitious nature), with plenty of other Shakespearean references thrown in for good measure.
Well worth a read, but be prepared to be getting funny looks if you burst out laughing while reading it in public!
"Witches are not by their nature gregarious, and they certainly don't have leaders. Granny Weatherwax was the most highly-regarded of the leaders they didn't have. But even she found that meddling in royal politics was a lot more difficult than certain playwrights would have you believe ... "
An early Discworld novel (only #6 in a series that has just reached the 40 mark), this is also only the second appearance of Granny Weatherwax (after Equal Rites) and, I believe, the first of Nanny Ogg or Magrat Garlick.
The plot, of course, is loosely based around that of MacBeth (or 'The Scottish Play', for those of a superstitious nature), with plenty of other Shakespearean references thrown in for good measure.
Well worth a read, but be prepared to be getting funny looks if you burst out laughing while reading it in public!
David McK (3227 KP) rated Small Gods (Discworld #13) in Books
Jul 31, 2021
An early(ish) Discworld novel, which primarily takes place centuries before the events in any of the other books.
This one concerns itself mainly with religion and philosophy, and shows how what you think of his books (in general) depends on the subject matter within: I always thought this was one of his best, whereas others (including my dad) seem to think it is one of his weakest.
This one concerns itself mainly with religion and philosophy, and shows how what you think of his books (in general) depends on the subject matter within: I always thought this was one of his best, whereas others (including my dad) seem to think it is one of his weakest.