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David McK (3227 KP) rated Lords and Ladies (Discworld, #14; Witches #4) in Books
Oct 30, 2022
As a character, Granny Weatherwax first appeared in the third Discworld novel Equal Rites, which was about, well, Equal Rights for both sexes. She then re-appeared (and beacem the unofficial head of her coven) in both Wyrd Sisters (where the broad outline of the plot bears a striking resemblance to certain Scottish play) and Witches Abroad (fairytales as you've never heard them before!). This is thus the fourth Discworld novel to include her as a main character, this time taking its inspiration from another Shakespeare play: A Midsummers night dream.
In this, and unlike the Elves of most comtemporary literature (Elves = good), the Elvish race are a foe to be reckoned with! This quote from about half-way through sums it up:
'Elves are wonderful. They provoke wonder.
Elves are marvellous. They cause marvels.
Elves are fantastic. They creat fantasies.
Elves are glamorous. They project glamour.
Elves are enchanting. They weave enchantment.
Elves are terrific. They beget terror.
The thing about words is that meanings can twist just like a snake ...
No-one ever said Elves are nice.
Elves are bad.'
In this, and unlike the Elves of most comtemporary literature (Elves = good), the Elvish race are a foe to be reckoned with! This quote from about half-way through sums it up:
'Elves are wonderful. They provoke wonder.
Elves are marvellous. They cause marvels.
Elves are fantastic. They creat fantasies.
Elves are glamorous. They project glamour.
Elves are enchanting. They weave enchantment.
Elves are terrific. They beget terror.
The thing about words is that meanings can twist just like a snake ...
No-one ever said Elves are nice.
Elves are bad.'
David McK (3227 KP) rated Guards! Guards! Discworld Novel 8 in Books
Jul 15, 2023
When people ask which Discworld book to start with, I often tell them to skip the first two in the series (The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic), then ask in which direction their interests lie.
Reimagining of famous plays/fairytales? Try any in The Witches series.
Primarily murder whodunnits? The Guards.
Of which this is the first.
So this is the one to introduce the reader to Sam Vimes, Nobby Nobbs, Fred Colon and Carrot Ironfoundersson, as well as featuring a prominent role for The Patrician of Ankh-Morpork, and which would lead to perhaps the most-revisited characters in the entire Discworld series - I think Pratchett returned to the Watch a further 7 times, for a total of 8 such novels.
Quick google search: yes, 8 times. Only matched by the Wizards of Unseen University.
Anyway, this is the one that sees a secret society summoning a Dragon in the hopes of installing a puppet ruler to the vacant throne of Ankh-Morpork, before things go awry ...
Reimagining of famous plays/fairytales? Try any in The Witches series.
Primarily murder whodunnits? The Guards.
Of which this is the first.
So this is the one to introduce the reader to Sam Vimes, Nobby Nobbs, Fred Colon and Carrot Ironfoundersson, as well as featuring a prominent role for The Patrician of Ankh-Morpork, and which would lead to perhaps the most-revisited characters in the entire Discworld series - I think Pratchett returned to the Watch a further 7 times, for a total of 8 such novels.
Quick google search: yes, 8 times. Only matched by the Wizards of Unseen University.
Anyway, this is the one that sees a secret society summoning a Dragon in the hopes of installing a puppet ruler to the vacant throne of Ankh-Morpork, before things go awry ...
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Pyramids: Discworld Novel 7 in Books
Aug 6, 2017
This isn't a bad book, none of the Discworld books Are, I just don't think it's quite as strong a story as many of the others I've read. Teppic is a great character, it was good to find out more about the assassins guild and I like the fact that it was set in the time of mummies and pyramids. My issue mainly is that the plot gets a little too bonkers and for my tastes there wasn't as much humour in this.
David McK (3227 KP) rated Good Omens in Books
Jan 28, 2019
One of the few books in which Terry Pratchett collaborated with another author (in this case, Neil Gaiman), this is also one of the few non-Discworld books that he co-wrote for adults.
Heavily borrowing from 'The Omen', this novel concerns itself with a (possible) Armageddon scenario, including the four Horsemen (bikers) of the Apocalypse. As is usual for a Pratchett book, it also contains many footnotes in each chapter, and more than once had me laughing out loud!
Heavily borrowing from 'The Omen', this novel concerns itself with a (possible) Armageddon scenario, including the four Horsemen (bikers) of the Apocalypse. As is usual for a Pratchett book, it also contains many footnotes in each chapter, and more than once had me laughing out loud!
David McK (3227 KP) rated I Shall Wear Midnight: (Discworld Novel 38) in Books
Jan 28, 2019
Terry Pratchett's latest Discworld book, this time aimed at a younger audience than his previous "Unseen Academicals", with the return of teen witch Tiffnay Aching and the Nac Mac Feegle (both introduced in "Wee Free Men" and expanded on in "A Hat Full of Sky" and "Wintersmith")
The Nac Mac Feegle seem to have somewhat of a lesser role than previous and, in a departure from his norm, Pratchett re-introduces us to some of the characters from his earlier novels - one in particular.
The Nac Mac Feegle seem to have somewhat of a lesser role than previous and, in a departure from his norm, Pratchett re-introduces us to some of the characters from his earlier novels - one in particular.
Mothergamer (1520 KP) rated Unseen Academicals (Discworld, #37; Rincewind #8) in Books
Apr 3, 2019
I recently finished reading Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett, the latest book in the Discworld series. The wizards at Unseen University discover a law that states that they must participate in city football games (soccer), but the catch is they can't use any magic. The assistant candle dribbler, Mr. Nutt is brought in to coach this humorous seemingly hopeless team of over the hill wizards. Mr. Nutt is a little odd and seems to be a goblin, but he can't really remember himself. He befriends his candle dribbler boss Trevor Likely whose father was a famous footballer and they strike up an unlikely, but endearing friendship.
I loved this book. The friendship between Mr. Nutt and Trevor makes you smile and even laugh at certain points in the story. Terry Pratchett introduces some new characters like Juliette, Trevor's love interest and assistant cook and Glenda, her supervisor who warns her all the time about men and their ways. There are even cameo appearances by old favorites like Rincewind, the librarian, DEATH, the watch, and even Lord Vetinari.
The pacing starts off a little slow, but it finds its groove and we are told a great story about football, the fans, and the players. We are also shown how wonderful it is when you have friends and loved ones, that see the good in you and because they believe in you, it brings out the best in you. There are also the funny jokes, wit, and social commentary that comes with a Discworld book, overall making it quite an enjoyable read.
If you haven't read Unseen Academicals yet and you are a Discworld fan, I suggest you do. It's a great story and you will find yourself chuckling at various moments.
I loved this book. The friendship between Mr. Nutt and Trevor makes you smile and even laugh at certain points in the story. Terry Pratchett introduces some new characters like Juliette, Trevor's love interest and assistant cook and Glenda, her supervisor who warns her all the time about men and their ways. There are even cameo appearances by old favorites like Rincewind, the librarian, DEATH, the watch, and even Lord Vetinari.
The pacing starts off a little slow, but it finds its groove and we are told a great story about football, the fans, and the players. We are also shown how wonderful it is when you have friends and loved ones, that see the good in you and because they believe in you, it brings out the best in you. There are also the funny jokes, wit, and social commentary that comes with a Discworld book, overall making it quite an enjoyable read.
If you haven't read Unseen Academicals yet and you are a Discworld fan, I suggest you do. It's a great story and you will find yourself chuckling at various moments.
David McK (3227 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 (3227 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 ...