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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
I know this is a very highly esteemed author. I read his Tiffany Aching books in my teen years and was very fond of them, because of their humor but also the serious underlying themes that sneak through at an appropriate level for children's writing. I've been avoiding the adult-oriented Discworld at large for years because many skims in the aisles of bookstores have given me the sense that Pratchett's humor just doesn't quite click with mine. (Also, too many neckbearded types have pestered me on buses when they see sci-fi novels in my hands with the insistence that I read Pratchett and also probably let them explain him to me and it puts one off.)
I was right - it really doesn't. And because these are primarily meant to be funny books, if the funny is falling flat, there's just too little substance left to really love it. I recognize the skill in the writing, and I was quite fond of a few motifs, and Carrot, and the Patrician. I did laugh twice. But I wish there were more female characters. I wish the humor didn't sometimes interfere with consistency (ie. he says all dwarves are "he", but uses "she" in reference to them frequently, which is the tiniest detail, but irked me). Perhaps it's a case of being determined to oppose the popular opinion, but I just didn't find this spectacular - only moderately good.
I actually wished the somber background themes had been heavier. I just get a sense of the person at the party who identifies as "the funny one" and won't stop dropping punchy one-liners and actually say something. Still, I'm open to reading more. I certainly won't write the Discworld off yet.
I was right - it really doesn't. And because these are primarily meant to be funny books, if the funny is falling flat, there's just too little substance left to really love it. I recognize the skill in the writing, and I was quite fond of a few motifs, and Carrot, and the Patrician. I did laugh twice. But I wish there were more female characters. I wish the humor didn't sometimes interfere with consistency (ie. he says all dwarves are "he", but uses "she" in reference to them frequently, which is the tiniest detail, but irked me). Perhaps it's a case of being determined to oppose the popular opinion, but I just didn't find this spectacular - only moderately good.
I actually wished the somber background themes had been heavier. I just get a sense of the person at the party who identifies as "the funny one" and won't stop dropping punchy one-liners and actually say something. Still, I'm open to reading more. I certainly won't write the Discworld off yet.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A really fun story about loveable characters.
The world building and authorial voice is of course unparalleled. Pratchett has such a great way of revealing truths of the world without making everything too gloomy.
I love Vimes and Carrot. Descriptions of Sybil are a bit fat phobic but I don't think it is malicious.
A fun and thoughtful satirical adventure.
The world building and authorial voice is of course unparalleled. Pratchett has such a great way of revealing truths of the world without making everything too gloomy.
I love Vimes and Carrot. Descriptions of Sybil are a bit fat phobic but I don't think it is malicious.
A fun and thoughtful satirical adventure.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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:
Yes
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:
Yes
What I took away from this book is the fondness for Pratchett's humour and his way of fashioning stories after ideas one only muses on. In this one, he builts upon that thought that in movies, always the guards are late to the scene, when they could have been useful.
He adds a dragon in the process (which always makes everything exciting) and a group of silly villains one should not take so lightly.
Such a pleasure to read it.
He adds a dragon in the process (which always makes everything exciting) and a group of silly villains one should not take so lightly.
Such a pleasure to read it.
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Phenomenal, just the right mix of enticing and hilarious. I was deeply, genuinely invested in Captain Vimes' character arc.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced