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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Completely barmy, occasionally offensive, and generally very enjoyable as long as you accept that Terry Pratchett's editor must have either forgotten to edit the manuscript or was on a vacation at the time. That aside, the character of Death is consistently hilarious, his granddaughter Susan is possibly the best, most capable hero I've come across in a long time, and the examination of belief at the end of the book (or what should have been the end of the book) was genuinely moving. Excellent quote from that bit below, courtesy of Death.
"Humans need fantasy to be human. To be the place where the falling angel meets the rising ape."
"Humans need fantasy to be human. To be the place where the falling angel meets the rising ape."
I've been listening to my son praise Terry Pratchett to the heavens. even going so far as to attend the audience with Pratchett at the Opera House last year; and all before reading the novels. The Colour of Magic was a riot, but this book was better. I think Pratchett has a wonderful understanding of the function of belief in human psychology and society: it's ironic that his skepticism leads him to make serious points in comic form, and I would make the same points from a more theological perspective. It's telling for me that one of the other great enthusiasts for Pratchett is a septuagenarian priest: I think that John, like me and probably my son, responds to the essential love of humanity and life that lies behind this book. Life doesn't make much sense, but intangible and sometimes inexpressible things make it precious and somehow meaningful.
OK, yes, I skipped some books to be able to read this one over the holidays. So sue me.
This is likely the best of the Death novels to this point. Susan Sto-Helit has a chance to flesh out a bit, and her life philosophy is a key thematic component to the book about the nature of belief and childhood. This book is so much better than Soul Music that it's kind of embarrassing. The only real downside is that Mr. Teatime is another of the Pratchett 'strength from insanity' villains, and in this case his omnicompetence makes the 'thieves falling out among themselves' sequence in the 3rd quarter of the book a little flat. It's enough for me to pull the book down to 4 stars.
The Wizards make their traditional appearance in the Death books, and this time their function of being a secondary string to feed information to the audience to keep the sense of unraveling mystery (or to give Death or Susan some one to talk to) works so much better than their superfluous role in Soul Music.
This is likely the best of the Death novels to this point. Susan Sto-Helit has a chance to flesh out a bit, and her life philosophy is a key thematic component to the book about the nature of belief and childhood. This book is so much better than Soul Music that it's kind of embarrassing. The only real downside is that Mr. Teatime is another of the Pratchett 'strength from insanity' villains, and in this case his omnicompetence makes the 'thieves falling out among themselves' sequence in the 3rd quarter of the book a little flat. It's enough for me to pull the book down to 4 stars.
The Wizards make their traditional appearance in the Death books, and this time their function of being a secondary string to feed information to the audience to keep the sense of unraveling mystery (or to give Death or Susan some one to talk to) works so much better than their superfluous role in Soul Music.
I always say that this is what Nightmare Before Christmas should've been. Seriously. I love Susan. I love the poker. I love Alfred as the elf. Seriously, just read it.
(oh, and I love the comments about conspiracy theories).
(oh, and I love the comments about conspiracy theories).
Hogfather has disappeared, and Death steps in to fill the void, leaving his grandaughter Susan to answer such questions as "Why? "Whats happening," and most importantly, "How can I stop it?"
"Getting an education was a bit like a communicable sexual disease. It made you unsuitable for a lot of jobs and then you had the urge to pass it on."
Its been a while since I have read this, and while I greatly enjoy my annual viewing of the Hogfather, there are just so many wonderful bits that are left out of the tv show, including the entire backstory of Arthur - which every time I come onto it is a total joy. This book is always such a pleasure to read that I find myself savoring every word.
"Getting an education was a bit like a communicable sexual disease. It made you unsuitable for a lot of jobs and then you had the urge to pass it on."
Its been a while since I have read this, and while I greatly enjoy my annual viewing of the Hogfather, there are just so many wonderful bits that are left out of the tv show, including the entire backstory of Arthur - which every time I come onto it is a total joy. This book is always such a pleasure to read that I find myself savoring every word.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
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:
No
Not his best. Trying a little too hard to be erudite. He normally doesn't need any help with that.