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4.39 AVERAGE
4.39 AVERAGE
https://lolantaczyta.wordpress.com/2016/03/20/zbrojni-terry-pratchett/
Men at Arms highlights a problem with Terry Pratchett's writing that emerges like a sore thumb every once in a while: there's sometimes more characterisation and humor than a tangible plot. This problem is pronounced in Men at Arms, which introduces readers to a murder mystery that remains vague for 80% of the book and without a clear direction.
To begin, I love the characters. Pratchett creates characters that you cannot help but like right from the get-go. Characters like Angua, Cuddy and Detritus are fun, and I'd love to read more about them. Another thing is that they are all well fleshed out in the story—and in organic ways, too. Angua gets to stretch her muscles as a werewolf, and even Detritus the troll gets his moment of glory from time to time. Carrot, of course, is Carrot, and he's really the protagonist in this story. The only downside to this book in terms of characterisation is the fact that Sam Vimes hardly ever makes an appearance after the first 100 pages. Understandably, considering the fact that he's supposed to be retiring, but I daresay that he is the most interesting character in the Night's Watch, and I'd rather read more about him than anybody else on the team.
With that aside, here comes the problems.
Central to Men at Arms' plot is a murder mystery, and various characters are being picked off one by one by a method that the Watch has never seen before. All very intriguing stuff that Pratchett builds up in the first 100 pages. Then, for some reason, the mystery stalls, and the plot remains blurry and vague until the last 20% of the book. In between, our characters go on random side plots and adventures, including a meet-up with the bad dogs of the Dog Guild. The murder mystery just felt very sidetracked, and the story lost me completely in the third act. I wasn't able to connect with the story, and because of that, the humor stopped to work.
That is unfortunate, because I love the world and I love the characters. Discworld is like that adorable cousin you have, and you love her a lot, but she gets motion sickness easily and sometimes vomits in the car. It's kinda funny at first until you realise that you have to clean the car later on. But, you still love your cousin anyway.
At the end of the day, Men at Arms is a somewhat forgettable book with unforgettable characters—an odd mix by any measure. It is too bad that these characters are wrapped up in a plot that doesn't go anywhere for the majority of the book, and it almost feels like an excuse to introduce these new characters to the Watch. Exciting prospects with these characters lie ahead, that's for sure, but it's too bad we were served a less-than-impressive platter.
To begin, I love the characters. Pratchett creates characters that you cannot help but like right from the get-go. Characters like Angua, Cuddy and Detritus are fun, and I'd love to read more about them. Another thing is that they are all well fleshed out in the story—and in organic ways, too. Angua gets to stretch her muscles as a werewolf, and even Detritus the troll gets his moment of glory from time to time. Carrot, of course, is Carrot, and he's really the protagonist in this story. The only downside to this book in terms of characterisation is the fact that Sam Vimes hardly ever makes an appearance after the first 100 pages. Understandably, considering the fact that he's supposed to be retiring, but I daresay that he is the most interesting character in the Night's Watch, and I'd rather read more about him than anybody else on the team.
With that aside, here comes the problems.
Central to Men at Arms' plot is a murder mystery, and various characters are being picked off one by one by a method that the Watch has never seen before. All very intriguing stuff that Pratchett builds up in the first 100 pages. Then, for some reason, the mystery stalls, and the plot remains blurry and vague until the last 20% of the book. In between, our characters go on random side plots and adventures, including a meet-up with the bad dogs of the Dog Guild. The murder mystery just felt very sidetracked, and the story lost me completely in the third act. I wasn't able to connect with the story, and because of that, the humor stopped to work.
That is unfortunate, because I love the world and I love the characters. Discworld is like that adorable cousin you have, and you love her a lot, but she gets motion sickness easily and sometimes vomits in the car. It's kinda funny at first until you realise that you have to clean the car later on. But, you still love your cousin anyway.
At the end of the day, Men at Arms is a somewhat forgettable book with unforgettable characters—an odd mix by any measure. It is too bad that these characters are wrapped up in a plot that doesn't go anywhere for the majority of the book, and it almost feels like an excuse to introduce these new characters to the Watch. Exciting prospects with these characters lie ahead, that's for sure, but it's too bad we were served a less-than-impressive platter.
Things are looking pretty bad for the Night Watch. Sam Vines is about to marry and retire, a motley bunch of new recruits are finding their way, and Carrot is about to lead an army, as is not his ancient right ..... Can the dwarves and trolls stop fighting each other long enough to save the day?! Fun and frolics as always.
I bounced off Guards, Guards and I was pretty much inclined to let the City Watch books lie, but there was always this nagging feeling that I should try again... Kelly loves them SO MUCH... After a long discussion with Aaron about Discworld, and why I loved Going Postal but not Guards, Guards, he recommended this as a set-up to Feet of Clay.
And, crucially, he loaned me the book the night before I had a six-hour flight.
This was good. Let's see where it takes me...
And, crucially, he loaned me the book the night before I had a six-hour flight.
This was good. Let's see where it takes me...
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Men at Arms was a wonderful sequel to Guards, Guards! It builds on the characters that were already introduced and brings in more fascinating characters. Detritus, Angua, and Cuddy are all wonderful characters and are compelling. I'm not certain why Vimes is so beloved, maybe he develops more later on in Discworld, but the largest draw of the book for me is spending time in Ankh-Morpork. The setting is endlessly creative and a joy to experience.
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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:
No
This is a sequel to Discworld #8 - Guards!
Continues a plot thread that was sort of dangling loose at the end of "Guards!".
I really admire the way that Pratchett makes up all of these rich, multi-dimensional characters to fill in his stories; characters with so much character that he has to come back and write more books about them.
Continues a plot thread that was sort of dangling loose at the end of "Guards!".
I really admire the way that Pratchett makes up all of these rich, multi-dimensional characters to fill in his stories; characters with so much character that he has to come back and write more books about them.
adventurous
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
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:
N/A
Oohh this was great. The expensive boots V cheap boots analogy really stuck with me. The fact rich people stay rich because they spend less by buying expensive boots that will last for years whereas the poor buy affordable boots that wear out much quicker and so they need to buy more.
The characters were much more fleshed out too which was great. Looking forward to the next one 😊
The characters were much more fleshed out too which was great. Looking forward to the next one 😊