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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I read and enjoyed this fifteen years ago when I first got into Discworld, and on this current re-read, I find it to be a very charming book that I do like, but it's not Pratchett's best work. It's still got the mix of comedy, empathy, and social commentary you'd expect from Discworld. This is one of the most serious Discworld books I've encountered and there's an odd aura of gloom about the book as the consequences of war on Borogravia become apparent. There are some fun cameos from popular characters like Sam Vimes (which probably seem very random to someone dipping in without having read the Watch books). This book is pretty good about giving something resembling a happy ending without having Borogravia magically become a completely politically stable country overnight.
And yet, it didn't grab me the way a lot of his best works do. The main cast of soldiers is quite large, and the human privates are not very distinct from eachother. The feminist message, as much as I want feminism from Pterry, was about as subtle as a brick to the face and wasn't particularly deep. I don't hate it, but knowing what else he has written, it's hard not to compare and be a little disappointed.
And yet, it didn't grab me the way a lot of his best works do. The main cast of soldiers is quite large, and the human privates are not very distinct from eachother. The feminist message, as much as I want feminism from Pterry, was about as subtle as a brick to the face and wasn't particularly deep. I don't hate it, but knowing what else he has written, it's hard not to compare and be a little disappointed.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexism, Violence, War
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
trans rights
There was absolutely nothing funny about this book. If the last one was dark, then I don’t even know how to describe this one.
There were a couple of ideas that got stuck in my brain. I’ve always said that there would be less wars if women were in charge because we know how much work and sacrifice goes into making a person. Nine months, to be cut down is an instant. But that’s not true is it? Women or men, it really is just stupid people.
The abuse, the torture, the way a body could be broken until you light a match and watch it until a friend pulls you away. The need for coffee that’s been stolen.
But sometimes it makes you what you need to be to save a nation.
Sometimes it makes you listen.
There were a couple of ideas that got stuck in my brain. I’ve always said that there would be less wars if women were in charge because we know how much work and sacrifice goes into making a person. Nine months, to be cut down is an instant. But that’s not true is it? Women or men, it really is just stupid people.
The abuse, the torture, the way a body could be broken until you light a match and watch it until a friend pulls you away. The need for coffee that’s been stolen.
But sometimes it makes you what you need to be to save a nation.
Sometimes it makes you listen.
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I don't think it gives too much away to say that this book came up when I asked people for examples of "chosen one" plots where the protagonist isn't the one.
Other than that? It's a Discworld novel. It neither shies away from the awfulness of war nor does it turn it into misery porn. It's got clever-yet-heartbreaking meditations on the beauty and folly of life. And I felt that its handling of gender fluidity and pronoun usage have aged far better than one might expect, on account of Terry Pratchett being a treasure of humankind and his compassion for his characters both guiding the words he uses, and shining through them.
Four stars because the plot never grabbed me, but the characters and their experiences of events will stick with me for a while.
Other than that? It's a Discworld novel. It neither shies away from the awfulness of war nor does it turn it into misery porn. It's got clever-yet-heartbreaking meditations on the beauty and folly of life. And I felt that its handling of gender fluidity and pronoun usage have aged far better than one might expect, on account of Terry Pratchett being a treasure of humankind and his compassion for his characters both guiding the words he uses, and shining through them.
Four stars because the plot never grabbed me, but the characters and their experiences of events will stick with me for a while.