Search
Search results
Lottie disney bookworm (1056 KP) rated The Magic of Terry Pratchett in Books
May 27, 2020
As a child who was brought up in a house of Discworld stories, with a stepfather who (still) proudly displays the Clarecraft Rincewind figurine which bears an uncanny likeness to him, and a mother who has a matching Nanny Ogg (it bears no likeness but let’s just say encompasses a couple of her characteristics), this was an ARC that I was frankly desperate to read. I have to thank Netgalley and Marc Burrows for granting me this opportunity. My opinions are enthusiastic, and entirely my own.
As a 32 year old female, mother and accountant you may be forgiven for expecting my book reviews to be based around chick-lit or classical novels and, although it is the case that I own several very well-read copies of Pride & Prejudice, I am wholly a child of the sci-fi/fantasy genre. Terry Pratchett novels sit alongside George RR Martin, Terry Brooks, David Eddings and Ursula Le Guin in my house; I owned and loved Discworld computer games and probably know every word to the film Labyrinth.
It could therefore be said that I would find Marc Burrow’s biography fascinating regardless: however, I am ashamed to say that, before reading this book, I knew very little about the life of the author whose books I admire so much.
Burrows structures his writing predictably enough, running through the life of Terry Pratchett chronologically, from his working-class upbringing; his career in journalism; the progression in popularity of his novels; his knighthood all the way up to his untimely death from Alzheimer’s. However, this is where an affiliation to any standard biography ends.
It is immediately apparent that Marc Burrows is an avid Terry Pratchett fan, even without reading his foreword, due to the inclusion of footnotes: a writing style which is synonymous with Pratchett. This allows Burrows, as it did with Pratchett, to provide little notes and details which cannot be in the main text without limiting the reading experience. It also allows both authors to inject a large amount of humour into their writing.
It should also be mentioned that no book has gripped me from the introduction in a long time, although I am fairly sure no other book would use the word “crotch” before we even reach Chapter One!
‘The Magic of Terry Pratchett’ is a clever, well-informed biography which perfectly encompasses the humour of the Discworld creator whilst educating the reader of his journey to becoming the icon that he is today. I have no doubt that this has been a labour of love for Marc Burrows: when the kindle says you have 20 minutes reading time left and you have reached the bibliography, you know that a whole lot of research has been done!
Sir Terry also had the tendency to embellish his stories and this is a factor Burrows does not try to hide; highlighting when facts don't quite add up and almost analysing the situation to try and discern the truth. This was such a refreshing approach to a biography: the wool is not pulled over the eyes of the reader, nor the subject blindly believed for convenience.
It is important to note that this book transgresses the existence of Discworld and “the business with the elephant” and encompasses all of Sir Terry’s work: from short stories in the local paper to his TV documentary on assisted death.
The reader will also learn of the involvement of Rhianna Pratchett in her father’s work and discover that the “man in the hat” was not always the easiest man to work with.
I am going to need at least 3 copies upon release- can we preorder?
As a 32 year old female, mother and accountant you may be forgiven for expecting my book reviews to be based around chick-lit or classical novels and, although it is the case that I own several very well-read copies of Pride & Prejudice, I am wholly a child of the sci-fi/fantasy genre. Terry Pratchett novels sit alongside George RR Martin, Terry Brooks, David Eddings and Ursula Le Guin in my house; I owned and loved Discworld computer games and probably know every word to the film Labyrinth.
It could therefore be said that I would find Marc Burrow’s biography fascinating regardless: however, I am ashamed to say that, before reading this book, I knew very little about the life of the author whose books I admire so much.
Burrows structures his writing predictably enough, running through the life of Terry Pratchett chronologically, from his working-class upbringing; his career in journalism; the progression in popularity of his novels; his knighthood all the way up to his untimely death from Alzheimer’s. However, this is where an affiliation to any standard biography ends.
It is immediately apparent that Marc Burrows is an avid Terry Pratchett fan, even without reading his foreword, due to the inclusion of footnotes: a writing style which is synonymous with Pratchett. This allows Burrows, as it did with Pratchett, to provide little notes and details which cannot be in the main text without limiting the reading experience. It also allows both authors to inject a large amount of humour into their writing.
It should also be mentioned that no book has gripped me from the introduction in a long time, although I am fairly sure no other book would use the word “crotch” before we even reach Chapter One!
‘The Magic of Terry Pratchett’ is a clever, well-informed biography which perfectly encompasses the humour of the Discworld creator whilst educating the reader of his journey to becoming the icon that he is today. I have no doubt that this has been a labour of love for Marc Burrows: when the kindle says you have 20 minutes reading time left and you have reached the bibliography, you know that a whole lot of research has been done!
Sir Terry also had the tendency to embellish his stories and this is a factor Burrows does not try to hide; highlighting when facts don't quite add up and almost analysing the situation to try and discern the truth. This was such a refreshing approach to a biography: the wool is not pulled over the eyes of the reader, nor the subject blindly believed for convenience.
It is important to note that this book transgresses the existence of Discworld and “the business with the elephant” and encompasses all of Sir Terry’s work: from short stories in the local paper to his TV documentary on assisted death.
The reader will also learn of the involvement of Rhianna Pratchett in her father’s work and discover that the “man in the hat” was not always the easiest man to work with.
I am going to need at least 3 copies upon release- can we preorder?
Paul Kellett (118 KP) created a post in Solo Gamers
May 9, 2019
David McK (3233 KP) rated Carpe Jugulum (Discworld #23; Witches #6) in Books
Jan 28, 2019
The 23rd Discworld book, this is really what I would term as one of the 'Witches' (Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, Magrat Garlik and - now - Agnes Nitt) novels, and is also the first to concentrate on 'proper' Vampires (or, as they prefer to be known, Vampyres (with a 'y'))
By 'proper' Vampires, I do mean vicious bloodsuckers, as opposed to the tamer variety sometimes mentioned as living in Ankh-Morpork. It also has a larger-than-usual role for a member of the clergy: this time, for a Reverend from Omniasm ("who knows he has a prayer but wishes he had an axe"), and is also - I believe - one of the first books to introduce the character(s) of Igor.
In this, the Vampires have been invited by King Verence of Lancre to the baptism of his and Magrat's baby daughter, and decide to take the country as well as the invitation. It is up to the Witches (primarily Granny Weatherwax) to stop them from doing so, raising more than a few laugh out loud moments from me along the way.
By 'proper' Vampires, I do mean vicious bloodsuckers, as opposed to the tamer variety sometimes mentioned as living in Ankh-Morpork. It also has a larger-than-usual role for a member of the clergy: this time, for a Reverend from Omniasm ("who knows he has a prayer but wishes he had an axe"), and is also - I believe - one of the first books to introduce the character(s) of Igor.
In this, the Vampires have been invited by King Verence of Lancre to the baptism of his and Magrat's baby daughter, and decide to take the country as well as the invitation. It is up to the Witches (primarily Granny Weatherwax) to stop them from doing so, raising more than a few laugh out loud moments from me along the way.
David McK (3233 KP) rated Maskerade (Discworld, #18; Witches #5) in Books
Mar 28, 2021 (Updated Aug 19, 2023)
!!!!!
If I was forced to pick, I would have to say that - speaking personally - I think Terry Pratchett was at the height of his powers in the mid-to-late 90s, before the Discworld books started becoming overly serious.
So, around the time of the likes of 'Lords and Ladies, 'Small Gods', and this one, in other words.
(and I've just realised that 2/3rds of those books quoted concern The Witches Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax)
In this one, and following Magrat marriage to King Verence, the Witches find themselves down to a duo instead of a trio, and - since you can't have a coven of two ("When shall we ... two ... meet again ....") - are in need of a replacement (well, so Nanny Ogg thinks).
Said replacement is the first appearance of Agnes Nitt who, unfortunately (from their perspective) has moved to the city of Ankh-Morpork and joined the Opera.
Cue Pratchett's take on 'The Phantom of the Opera' (which, when I first read this, I'd never actually seen) ...
So, around the time of the likes of 'Lords and Ladies, 'Small Gods', and this one, in other words.
(and I've just realised that 2/3rds of those books quoted concern The Witches Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax)
In this one, and following Magrat marriage to King Verence, the Witches find themselves down to a duo instead of a trio, and - since you can't have a coven of two ("When shall we ... two ... meet again ....") - are in need of a replacement (well, so Nanny Ogg thinks).
Said replacement is the first appearance of Agnes Nitt who, unfortunately (from their perspective) has moved to the city of Ankh-Morpork and joined the Opera.
Cue Pratchett's take on 'The Phantom of the Opera' (which, when I first read this, I'd never actually seen) ...
David McK (3233 KP) rated Johnny and the Dead (Johnny Maxwell #2) in Books
May 27, 2023
The late, great, Sir Terry Pratchett is probably better known for his Discworld novels.
Which, primarily albeit not exclusively, are aimed towards a more adult audience.
However, during the 1990's, he also wrote a trilogy of novels that were aimed at the younger audience, starting with Only You Can Save Mankind and ending with Johnny and the Bomb, with this one tucked away nicely in the middle. These novels have become known as the Johnny Maxwell trilogy, following the same core characters as Johnny Maxwell (obviously) and his friends Yo-less, Wobbler and Big Mac.
In this one, Johnny learns that the local cemetery is about to be demolished, which comes as news to the residents of said cemetery (who only Johnny is able to see - I kept waiting for the 'I see dead people' gag, before realising this was released before the movie 'The Sixth Sense'), and leading to a local outcry over the same.
It hits different now, 30 years on from when I first read it (due to life events).
Which, primarily albeit not exclusively, are aimed towards a more adult audience.
However, during the 1990's, he also wrote a trilogy of novels that were aimed at the younger audience, starting with Only You Can Save Mankind and ending with Johnny and the Bomb, with this one tucked away nicely in the middle. These novels have become known as the Johnny Maxwell trilogy, following the same core characters as Johnny Maxwell (obviously) and his friends Yo-less, Wobbler and Big Mac.
In this one, Johnny learns that the local cemetery is about to be demolished, which comes as news to the residents of said cemetery (who only Johnny is able to see - I kept waiting for the 'I see dead people' gag, before realising this was released before the movie 'The Sixth Sense'), and leading to a local outcry over the same.
It hits different now, 30 years on from when I first read it (due to life events).
David McK (3233 KP) rated The Truth (Discworld, #25; Industrial Revolution, #2) in Books
Sep 11, 2022
The Truth shall set you Fret!
<2022 update>
Still as good as ever!
<original review below>
So, over the weekend I watched a BBC documentary about the late, great, Sir Terry Pratchett (Terry Pratchett: Back in Black) as part of which they brought up the fact that his earliest job had been as a reporter for his local paper (and saw his first corpse a few hours later, work experience meaning something in those days ...) .
Experience that shows in this novel.
The second of the so-called Industrial Revolutions (after Moving Pictures) sub-series of the Discworld novels, this is - IMO - the first to really get into the meat of said revolution, and concerns itself with Ankh-Morporks first newspaper, alongside a plot to depose the Patrician - a character, I feel, who (whilst mostly in the background in the earlier novels) comes more to the fore in this, as do the likes of Foul Ol' Ron, Coffin Henry, The Duck Man and Gaspode
Of course, it wouldn't be a Pratchett novel without a generous portion of puns running alongside the satire, parody and memorable characters (such as, say, Otto von Chriek: the vampire with a thing for flash photography ...)
Still as good as ever!
<original review below>
So, over the weekend I watched a BBC documentary about the late, great, Sir Terry Pratchett (Terry Pratchett: Back in Black) as part of which they brought up the fact that his earliest job had been as a reporter for his local paper (and saw his first corpse a few hours later, work experience meaning something in those days ...) .
Experience that shows in this novel.
The second of the so-called Industrial Revolutions (after Moving Pictures) sub-series of the Discworld novels, this is - IMO - the first to really get into the meat of said revolution, and concerns itself with Ankh-Morporks first newspaper, alongside a plot to depose the Patrician - a character, I feel, who (whilst mostly in the background in the earlier novels) comes more to the fore in this, as do the likes of Foul Ol' Ron, Coffin Henry, The Duck Man and Gaspode
Of course, it wouldn't be a Pratchett novel without a generous portion of puns running alongside the satire, parody and memorable characters (such as, say, Otto von Chriek: the vampire with a thing for flash photography ...)
Still gritty (1 more)
More involved plot and exploration of the Misery
Superb follow-up
* I received an advance copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review *
The sequel to the highly praised Blackwing sees Ryhalt Galharrow trying to move on from losing the love of his life and investigating the theft of a magical artefact from a heavily protected vault.
For the first few chapters this book felt like a Captain Vimes Discworld novel (in a good way) with the humour toned down a little. We were exploring the pre-industrial city and investigating a crime that could have dire consequences for the safety of the city.
The book spends significantly more time in the city than in the Misery (the strange, twisting wasteland) than was the case for the first book, which gives it a very different feel. Plotting and intrigue abound as an evil sorcerer's plot to achieve ultimate power starts to unfold.
The book felt slightly less dark than the first, and has quite a different feel to it than Blackwing, but is still absolutely superb. The flowing prose and cracking dialogue make this a true page-turner and one of the best fantasy books I have read in quite some time.
The sequel to the highly praised Blackwing sees Ryhalt Galharrow trying to move on from losing the love of his life and investigating the theft of a magical artefact from a heavily protected vault.
For the first few chapters this book felt like a Captain Vimes Discworld novel (in a good way) with the humour toned down a little. We were exploring the pre-industrial city and investigating a crime that could have dire consequences for the safety of the city.
The book spends significantly more time in the city than in the Misery (the strange, twisting wasteland) than was the case for the first book, which gives it a very different feel. Plotting and intrigue abound as an evil sorcerer's plot to achieve ultimate power starts to unfold.
The book felt slightly less dark than the first, and has quite a different feel to it than Blackwing, but is still absolutely superb. The flowing prose and cracking dialogue make this a true page-turner and one of the best fantasy books I have read in quite some time.
Mike (8 KP) rated Seriously Funny: The Endlessly Quotable Terry Pratchett in Books
Oct 10, 2018
Lovely looking little book, smaller than I was expecting, but it is really nice. No dust jacket but a nice thick textured cover and inner pages that make you feel dizzy!
I read it this evening and I'll be completely honest - I was a bit disappointed, although it is a pretty book, it is also pretty thin - 128 pages.including a title page, printing information page, contents page, blank page, Overview, another blank page, 1 page mini bio, 105 quotes*, 4 pages of "By Terry Pratchett" lists.
I think that for £9.99 they could have found more than 105 "seriously funny" quotes from over 50 books and other sources - there isn't even one from each Discworld book. Even some illustrations would have been nice (9 repeats of the same hat picture is not very exciting).
Obviously as a collectore I had to buy it - as will most of us, does it does seem a bit of a "cash in" just to make money out of us, they are pretty much guaranteed to sell over a million copies so they could have made it more substantial for the money.
Still made me laugh out loud a couple of times though.
*One quote per page, separated by title pages
I read it this evening and I'll be completely honest - I was a bit disappointed, although it is a pretty book, it is also pretty thin - 128 pages.including a title page, printing information page, contents page, blank page, Overview, another blank page, 1 page mini bio, 105 quotes*, 4 pages of "By Terry Pratchett" lists.
I think that for £9.99 they could have found more than 105 "seriously funny" quotes from over 50 books and other sources - there isn't even one from each Discworld book. Even some illustrations would have been nice (9 repeats of the same hat picture is not very exciting).
Obviously as a collectore I had to buy it - as will most of us, does it does seem a bit of a "cash in" just to make money out of us, they are pretty much guaranteed to sell over a million copies so they could have made it more substantial for the money.
Still made me laugh out loud a couple of times though.
*One quote per page, separated by title pages
David McK (3233 KP) rated Snuff (Discworld, #39; City Watch #8) in Books
Jan 28, 2019
OK, this is a Pratchett, so the fact that it is good is pretty much a given.
I have to say, however, that I've found his latest Discworld books to be 'less good' - perhaps a sympton of his sad mental decline? - than what I would term a late-middle period Pratchett (round about 'Lords and Ladies', 'Jingo' and so on). In this one, he returns to Commander Vimes of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch - last featured in 'Thud!', who is on holiday in the country-side. Of course, as the blurb makes clear, it is inevitable that this turns into a Busmans holiday ...
The novel did have a few laugh-out-loud moments, but not as many as from one of his best. I also found it to be rather verbose at times, with only really one extended action scene. While some characters - Willikens, in particular - are more fleshed out than before, I also got the distinct feeling that other members of the City Watch were only (temporarily) present as it wouldn't be a City Watch book without them; not to add anything to the story.
While that might make it sound like I didn't enjoy the book, that's simply not true - I did, but just felt that it could have been so much more ...
I have to say, however, that I've found his latest Discworld books to be 'less good' - perhaps a sympton of his sad mental decline? - than what I would term a late-middle period Pratchett (round about 'Lords and Ladies', 'Jingo' and so on). In this one, he returns to Commander Vimes of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch - last featured in 'Thud!', who is on holiday in the country-side. Of course, as the blurb makes clear, it is inevitable that this turns into a Busmans holiday ...
The novel did have a few laugh-out-loud moments, but not as many as from one of his best. I also found it to be rather verbose at times, with only really one extended action scene. While some characters - Willikens, in particular - are more fleshed out than before, I also got the distinct feeling that other members of the City Watch were only (temporarily) present as it wouldn't be a City Watch book without them; not to add anything to the story.
While that might make it sound like I didn't enjoy the book, that's simply not true - I did, but just felt that it could have been so much more ...
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated The Science of Discworld in Books
Nov 25, 2019
If there was an award for most misleadingly titled book, this would on the shortlist. Not only is it most definitely not about the science of Discworld, it is also not some sort of shameless cash-in on a well-loved author.
What this book is, then, is a 'popular science' book, dressed up with some (typically amusing) interludes featuring the wizards of Unseen University as they try to understand how our world can work without magic and stories. Pratchett was always keen to educate, and here he tries to condense science into a single volume, using co-authors and science writers Ian Stewart and Jack Cohen to do the hard lifting of explaining the basics and discoveries of physics, chemistry and biology.
The authors try to explain how everything really works, although they do acknowledge there is bound to be simplification (or 'lies to children') as some of the concepts are hugely complex. But it never gets boring or too difficult to read.
A superb book for anyone who just wants to understand a little bit more about science. And I still use the space elevator analogy to this day. A gem of a book, shame about the title.
What this book is, then, is a 'popular science' book, dressed up with some (typically amusing) interludes featuring the wizards of Unseen University as they try to understand how our world can work without magic and stories. Pratchett was always keen to educate, and here he tries to condense science into a single volume, using co-authors and science writers Ian Stewart and Jack Cohen to do the hard lifting of explaining the basics and discoveries of physics, chemistry and biology.
The authors try to explain how everything really works, although they do acknowledge there is bound to be simplification (or 'lies to children') as some of the concepts are hugely complex. But it never gets boring or too difficult to read.
A superb book for anyone who just wants to understand a little bit more about science. And I still use the space elevator analogy to this day. A gem of a book, shame about the title.