Reviews

Hogfather by Terry Pratchett

ohthattodd's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

melicam's review against another edition

5.0

I really enjoyed this book. It was my first introduction into Terry Pratchett and my first read of the Discworld universe, and both were enjoyable to learn about. I'm not sure what information I should have known prior to reading this book about the Discworld, but I found it didn't matter as it felt like a book and world I could dive into without feeling too disoriented. The story itself was intriguing, VERY unique, had eclectic characters, and I got the sense it didn't take itself too seriously and felt really enjoyable and humorous to read.

alangley's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

nohadon's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated

4.25

A lighthearted Discworld take on saving Christmas (Hogswatch) from the Grinch (the Auditors). Death and Susan are at it again showing us the power of belief. 

IT’S A SWORD, said the Hogfather. THEY’RE NOT MEANT TO BE SAFE.

“She’s a child!” Shouted Crumley.

IT’S EDUCATIONAL.

“What if she cuts herself?”

THAT WILL BE AN IMPORTANT LESSON.

Simple. Real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time.

”…Look, it’s like looking at the future through a keyhole. You see bits of things but you never really know what they mean until you arrive where they are and see where the bit fits in.”

BUT YOU ARE A MACHINE. THINGS HAVE NO DESIRES. A DOORKNOB WANTS NOTHINT, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A COMPLEX MACHINE.

+++All Things Strive+++

YOU HAVE A POINT, said Death

”All right,” said Susan. “I’m not stupid. You’re saying humans need… fantasies to make life bearable.”

REALLY? AS IF IT WAS SOME KIND OF PINK PILL? NO. HUMANS NEED FANTASY TO BE HUMAN. TO BE THE PLACE WHERE THE FALLING ANGEL MEETS THE RISING APE.

“Tooth fairies? Hogfathers? Little —“

YES. AS PRACTICE. YOU HAVE TO START OUT LEARNING TO BELIEVE THE LITTLE LIES.

“So we can believe the big ones?0

YES. JUSTICE. MERCY. DUTY. THAT SORT OF THING.

“They’re not the same at all!”

YOU THINK SO? THE TAKE THE UNIVERSE AND GRIND IT DOWN TO THE FINEST POWDER AND SIEVE IT THROUGH THE FINEST SIEVE AND THEN SHOW ME ONE ATOM OF JUSTICE, ONE MOLECULE OF MERCY. AND YET—Death waves a hand. AND YET YOU ACT AS IF THERE IS SOME… SOME RIGHTNESS IN THE UNIVERSE BY WHICH IT MAY BE JUDGED.

“Yes but people have got to believe that, or what’s the point—“

MY POINT EXACTLY.

ellieb_20's review against another edition

2.0

Really struggled with the amount of dialogue and writing style, good premise not for me

kassandrik's review against another edition

5.0

Пратчетт уже очень давно брезжил у меня на горизонте: больше 10 лет назад купила одну из его книг, но никак не могла взяться и начать знакомство. Я ожидала, что автор будет «мой», но мне казалось, что нужно найти тот самый момент, как с самыми лучшими туфлями или самым вкусным шоколадом. И вот момент настал, зимние праздники и история о «Санта-Хрякусе».

Книга - это роман из серии о вселенной Пратчетта «Плоский мир», её арки о герое Смерть. Подождите, Смерть, а почему же книга называется «Санта-Хрякус»? Вот это и предстоит узнать нам, читателям, что же произошло со старым дедушкой Санта-Хрякусом, почему Смерть вдруг озаботился о людях, откуда стали появляться такие герои как Перепой, Фея Веселья, Грибной гномик, Пожиратель карандашей и другие.

Мне очень понравилась идея мифических существ и монстров, живущих силой нашей веры, и погибающих, если люди забывают о них.

Книга полна тонкого и достаточно специфического юмора, который, как мне известно, не приходится всем на вкус, однако для меня это то, что любит моя душа и именно такую иронию я ценю в литературе. Чудакулли и волшебники, Ворон и Смерть Крыс, Сьюзен и Перепой (и Фиалка), ЧайЧай (простите, Тчай-Тчай) и его несчастные разбойники, попрошайки и кухня изысканного ресторана - все эти герои и их истории просто прекрасны.

Рекомендую тем, кто просто хочет отдохнуть с интересным юмором, в интересной и необычной стране.

И Пратчетт попадает в топ моих любимых писателей.

krameriii's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

vascogdm's review against another edition

5.0

Wow, absolutely loved everything about Hogfather. Still not better than Reaper Man, that one is truly special, but Hogfather digs into so many topics without getting confusing or dull.

"YES. AS PRACTICE. YOU HAVE TO START OUT LEARNING TO BELIEVE THE LITTLE LIES.

"So we can believe the big ones?"

YES. JUSTICE. MERCY. DUTY. THAT SORT OF THING.

"They're not the same at all!"

YOU THINK SO? THEN TAKE THE UNIVERSE AND GRIND IT DOWN TO THE FINEST POWDER AND SIEVE IT THROUGH THE FINEST SIEVE AND THEN SHOW ME ONE ATOM OF JUSTICE, ONE MOLECULE OF MERCY. AND YET—Death waved a hand. AND YET YOU ACT AS IF THERE IS SOME IDEAL ORDER IN THE WORLD, AS IF THERE IS SOME...SOME RIGHTNESS IN THE UNIVERSE BY WHICH IT MAY BE JUDGED.

"Yes, but people have got to believe that, or what's the point—"

MY POINT EXACTLY.

Pratchett really digs deep into economic debate about what is deserved, the truths of the world, and the disparity between rich and poor classes.

But like all Pratchett books, it gets you to think, but also makes you laugh out loud at the small Gods out there, and the Bergholt Stuttley Johnson bathroom chaos.

Also love Susan a lot more this time round. I feel I got to know her a lot better, and feel her frustration at wanting to just live a normal life.

Oh! And Teatime! Loved his character! Would have liked to see more of him, so will need to hunt down other books with him in it.

fanny_skirbekk's review against another edition

adventurous funny fast-paced

5.0

boxofbees's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75