Thud! by Terry Pratchett
Monday, 6. November 2006, 20:51:05
I've long been a fan of Terry Pratchett, I've read just about everything he's written, and despite his being such an enormously prolific writer I think his novels keep getting better.
The population of Ankh Morpork took on a life of their own long ago, some of them were old friends to me when I was still at school, and I've enjoyed the journey as they've grown, many of them have changed as much as I have along the way. At some point the satire that inhabits all of the Discworld novels has grown teeth. It would be hard to say just when, because it's always been there - smirking as it holds up the mirror to the peculiarities of people. It's just that it's changed from being almost indulgent into a none too subtle commentary on the things that are wrong with people. By people I mean populations. The things that happen to sensible individuals when the herd instinct takes over. Religion. Politics. Race. Business. You name it, Pratchett has something to say about it. Good - it's about time someone pointed these things out. Better yet it's wonderful to see such genuinely sensitive issues tackled head on, but with such wit and good nature and not a preach in sight (John Twelve Hawks take note).
Don't get me wrong though, Pratchett is still bloody funny. If you really want all out laughs though, dont miss Going Postal. That one nearly killed me!
Read It
The population of Ankh Morpork took on a life of their own long ago, some of them were old friends to me when I was still at school, and I've enjoyed the journey as they've grown, many of them have changed as much as I have along the way. At some point the satire that inhabits all of the Discworld novels has grown teeth. It would be hard to say just when, because it's always been there - smirking as it holds up the mirror to the peculiarities of people. It's just that it's changed from being almost indulgent into a none too subtle commentary on the things that are wrong with people. By people I mean populations. The things that happen to sensible individuals when the herd instinct takes over. Religion. Politics. Race. Business. You name it, Pratchett has something to say about it. Good - it's about time someone pointed these things out. Better yet it's wonderful to see such genuinely sensitive issues tackled head on, but with such wit and good nature and not a preach in sight (John Twelve Hawks take note).
Don't get me wrong though, Pratchett is still bloody funny. If you really want all out laughs though, dont miss Going Postal. That one nearly killed me!
Read It
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gem # 19. March 2008, 04:41