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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
Look at that amazing cover! Absolutely gorgeous. Props to whoever designed it.
Scholars of Terry Pratchett have known for a while that he wrote for various local papers before and slightly after beginning the Discworld. However, the stories in this volume were written under pseudonyms and unknown until recently - the story of their discovery is covered in the book, and it's very nearly as good as Terry's works, so I won't spoil it here! Basically, the universe has conspired to give us a few more precious works from Terry.
And these are very much PTerry. They're not PTerry as he was at the height of the Disc; they're closer to his early kids' works, Johnny and the Nomes, and they're too short for much of his clever set ups and pay offs. But they are definitely PTerry - some of the phrases and word play made me gasp, and they're very enjoyable. They're simple and short enough for kids to follow, though they may miss some of the jokes.
Bearing in mind that I was reading a proof, I didn't have any of the wonderful illustrations we were promised so I can't talk about them. One other feature I would have liked; most of these stories were split over several issues, and I'd have liked a mark or note to see where those splits were. But, as always, the finished volume might have those things.
This book is a gift to PTerry's fans, and if you know any, you should plan to buy it for them immediately. If you don't, start reading him yourself! He's worth it.
GNU, Terry.
Scholars of Terry Pratchett have known for a while that he wrote for various local papers before and slightly after beginning the Discworld. However, the stories in this volume were written under pseudonyms and unknown until recently - the story of their discovery is covered in the book, and it's very nearly as good as Terry's works, so I won't spoil it here! Basically, the universe has conspired to give us a few more precious works from Terry.
And these are very much PTerry. They're not PTerry as he was at the height of the Disc; they're closer to his early kids' works, Johnny and the Nomes, and they're too short for much of his clever set ups and pay offs. But they are definitely PTerry - some of the phrases and word play made me gasp, and they're very enjoyable. They're simple and short enough for kids to follow, though they may miss some of the jokes.
Bearing in mind that I was reading a proof, I didn't have any of the wonderful illustrations we were promised so I can't talk about them. One other feature I would have liked; most of these stories were split over several issues, and I'd have liked a mark or note to see where those splits were. But, as always, the finished volume might have those things.
This book is a gift to PTerry's fans, and if you know any, you should plan to buy it for them immediately. If you don't, start reading him yourself! He's worth it.
GNU, Terry.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
More of a historical curiosity than a genuine collection: it brings together Terry Pratchett's work previously published (sometimes pseudonymously) in various newspapers and magazines.
Some of these are, frankly, a bit naff. There are a handful of Christmas stories that are brief and, essentially, a single joke. It doesn't help that these are a good portion of the first half of the collection. It's only in the latter half that we get to more familiar Pratchett territory: magic, and the charming backwardness of provincial bureaucracy.
Particular highlights are The Blackbury Jungle, which sees a small town taken over by plant life, and The Haunted Steamroller, which, well, you'll never guess.
For Pratchett fans, the mere existence of this volume tugs at the heartstrings a little. Through some effort and bonafide detective work, the man's bibliography is now complete. It's finished. And yet it lives forever.
Some of these are, frankly, a bit naff. There are a handful of Christmas stories that are brief and, essentially, a single joke. It doesn't help that these are a good portion of the first half of the collection. It's only in the latter half that we get to more familiar Pratchett territory: magic, and the charming backwardness of provincial bureaucracy.
Particular highlights are The Blackbury Jungle, which sees a small town taken over by plant life, and The Haunted Steamroller, which, well, you'll never guess.
For Pratchett fans, the mere existence of this volume tugs at the heartstrings a little. Through some effort and bonafide detective work, the man's bibliography is now complete. It's finished. And yet it lives forever.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Absolutely wonderful.
These stories do read differently from Discworld, but they're funny and charming, and have a really strong premise. It's interesting to see how much a short story differs to a long one!
When I was feeling stressed or down, these stories made me laugh, smile and feel generally soothed.
These stories do read differently from Discworld, but they're funny and charming, and have a really strong premise. It's interesting to see how much a short story differs to a long one!
When I was feeling stressed or down, these stories made me laugh, smile and feel generally soothed.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
A wonderful entertaining collection of Terry Pratchett’s unpublished work. Thoroughly enjoyed each and every story. Refreshingly different.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
An unexpected treat years after Pratchett's death. Unearthed early short stories from local press where Pratchett started out as a journalist. Brief and charming and hints throughout of the Discworld novels that were to come, along with early touches of the wit and humour that would make Pratchett so popular. Still much missed, a delight to find these little gems.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes