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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
The somewhat dysfunctional Night Watch of Ankh Morpork are perfectly depicted in this iconic novel by the late, great Terry Pratchett.
A fun and witty piece of fantasy that is both satirical and affectionate of the weird world we live in. The members of the Watch are conveyed in a way that is like Police Academy meets Dungeons & Dragons in Pratchett’s masterful weaving of comedy and low stakes fantasy that mocks the ridiculous parts of the real world.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It's absolutely clear to me why Sam Vimes has become one of Pratchett's most beloved characters.
In fact, every character bristled with personality, partially because they were given the page-space to have silly conversations establishing their voice and mannerisms. The Elucidated Brotherhood scenes are a great example of this. Even minor characters, who are in effect present only to serve as plot devices, were treated with a sort of authorial respect that I don't often see. And the result of this is, of course, that the story takes on a sort of vibrant, organic weight very similar to the way the real world feels as you're living in it.
This was also another great example of how critical characterization is when establishing a romance sub-plot. I'll be damned if I didn't end the book grinning like an idiot over Vimes and Lady Ramkin, despite the fact that neither of them - and especially Ramkin - fit the archetype for an LI.
The deconstruction of genre is the bread and butter of any Pratchett novel, of course. But personally, I don't think that he's done it quite so effectively since [b:The Colour of Magic|601238|The Colour of Magic (Discworld, #1)|Terry Pratchett|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1365691644s/601238.jpg|194190].
In fact, every character bristled with personality, partially because they were given the page-space to have silly conversations establishing their voice and mannerisms. The Elucidated Brotherhood scenes are a great example of this. Even minor characters, who are in effect present only to serve as plot devices, were treated with a sort of authorial respect that I don't often see. And the result of this is, of course, that the story takes on a sort of vibrant, organic weight very similar to the way the real world feels as you're living in it.
This was also another great example of how critical characterization is when establishing a romance sub-plot. I'll be damned if I didn't end the book grinning like an idiot over Vimes and Lady Ramkin, despite the fact that neither of them - and especially Ramkin - fit the archetype for an LI.
The deconstruction of genre is the bread and butter of any Pratchett novel, of course. But personally, I don't think that he's done it quite so effectively since [b:The Colour of Magic|601238|The Colour of Magic (Discworld, #1)|Terry Pratchett|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1365691644s/601238.jpg|194190].
It's been a long time since a book has honest-to-goodness made me laugh out loud, and this happened nearly every ten pages with this one. How have I waited so long to read some Discworld?!
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
No
funny
lighthearted
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:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
Finally, my first Discworld book. I don’t know what took me so long to get to these.
Terry Pratchett is a genius at banter, fun wordplay, and turning trite plot elements on their head. This book had me chuckling all the way through, while also taking delight at the sharp satire. Excited to read more.
Terry Pratchett is a genius at banter, fun wordplay, and turning trite plot elements on their head. This book had me chuckling all the way through, while also taking delight at the sharp satire. Excited to read more.
Some of the antics were funny, and Terry Pratchett is witty as usual, but I didn't care about the characters particularly enough to care what was going to happen to them. The book had no chapter breaks so it was hard to feel any sense of progress through the story. Also, there was only one female character with speaking lines in the entire book.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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:
No
Went back because I kept feeling bad about jumping ahead and I was told by many people I would enjoy Sam Vimes. They were correct. Also I've been wanting to read some of Lady Sybil Ramkin ever since I encountered a very good cosplayer at Nineworlds years ago (complete with beautiful - and bitey - Errol puppet!).
As ever, I keep asking myself (at age week-off-37), what took me so long?
As ever, I keep asking myself (at age week-off-37), what took me so long?