Reviews - Sourcery | The StoryGraph

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2.28k reviews for:

Sourcery

Terry Pratchett

3.73 AVERAGE

aenand's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous funny mysterious 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: No

hannahdrew's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

lauraevwalker's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

emilyalbertelli's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous emotional 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: No

linnylou's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

readalert's review against another edition

2.0

Holy orientalism, Batman! I thought we were gonna be done with this after Rincewind stopped playing tour guide- at least for a while, I know Interesting Times is famously botched satire that just comes off as racist. But alas, it is still the 80s and Pratchett is still on his bullshit. It's not even the most egregious orientalism I've seen of Discworld, it's just so monumentally disappointing to be faced with it when I really did think I was going to get a break. Disappointing enough to make me question whether or not I even want to finish Discworld. Unbelievable that according to Wikipedia, this book is where Pratchett says you should start the series.

I guess not quite unbelievable, actually. Much moreso than the Light Fantastic, Pratchett seems to have found is groove, and this book is much more recognizable as the Discworld I know. We also have not only a plot but also a theme, which Rincewind hasn't always gotten so far. Free will versus destiny isn't usually a theme I find particularly compelling, but this book does have the advantage tying in the cycle of abuse to that theme by having Coin need to decide if he will use his power to hurt and control others the way his father has him, which makes it much more interesting. However, I don't love it's execution in regards to Conina being compelled towards a life she doesn't want on the basis of genetics.

Rincewind himself is as delightfully pathetic as always, and like I said there are good elements here, but I really can't get over just how disappointed I am about the orientalism. The only reason it's not getting lower than 2⭐️ is because that's what I gave The Light Fantastic, and I know objectively this is a better book.