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mamataur's review against another edition
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry
Minor: War, Emotional abuse, Torture, and Colonisation
reedmorebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Classism, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Violence, War, Slavery, and Torture
ampharos906's review against another edition
dark
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Violence, Animal cruelty, War, Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Minor: Animal death and Slavery
ange99's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Compared to other Pratchett books I found this one a bit grim, although with a more hopeful ending. It just didn't have the light-hearted moments I expected. This was possibly also due to Andy Serkis' delivery - his character voices were varied and enjoyable but his narrator voice was bordering on gloomy. It was ages since I read this so I didn't remember much of the plot. Great cameo appearances by side characters and countries mentioned in other novels.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture and War
questingnotcoasting's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I almost feel like I shouldn't admit this, because I know this is one of the most beloved Discworld books but I just didn't get on with it. I can see it's really clever but I never clicked with it. It probably doesn't help that I'm not really interested in religion, even from a satirical perspective but I didn't think this was as funny as some of the other Discworld books I've read. There are some fun characters though, particularly the Great God Om in the form of a tortoise.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, War, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Torture
theaceofpages's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“Belief, he says. Belief shifts. People start out believing in the god and end up believing in the structure.”
Small Gods is not a part of any of the Discworld subseries. Instead it examines the roles of religion on the disc (although the round earthers will insist that the earth is a globe and not flat). The god Om has lost most of his believers (although they still believe and insist that they believe) and was unable to return in one of his more impressive form (like white bull that crushes infidels). Instead, he returns as a tortoise (there's good eating on one of them) and even forgets that he is a god until he picked up out of the desert by an eagle and dropped near Brutha, who is a low level member of Om's temple. Om quickly realises that belief in his religion is not the same in belief in him and Brutha starts to question everything he has been taught, both through his god and through being exposed to a world outside of the temple.
It's been a little while since my last Pratchett, but this was definitely a good one. In typical Pratchett fashion, this book is smart and funny. I loved the tongue in cheek commentary about religious indoctrination and about how religion can so easily be corrupted by people. Even Om is upset about how his name has been used, his role twisted and how he has been used to justify things he never said (the prophets made up things to suit their needs). I can see similar trends in modern religion - amongst certain groups religion has become more about hate rather than the love it preaches. I don't see this is not an attack on religion or spirituality itself, but rather on the bigots who use their religion to justify their views. That being said, I can see why some more deeply religious people wouldn't love the message. Although some (especially those born into it and possibly questioning it) would benefit. I loved seeing Brutha's growth as he was exposed to a greater world and learned to be his own person. I also enjoyed the dropped mentions of other gods and character that have been mention before (like Offlar the crocodile god or The Librarian). And Cut-Me-Own-Hand-Off Dhblah? Proof that these kinds of people simply appear where needed (as Pratchett has previously stated with regards to Cut-Me-Own-Throat Dibbler).
I think this is one of the darker Discworld novels (so far). While it still remains humerous, it explores themes such as cult-like religion, religious indoctrination, war about beliefs and the like. That being said, it's a great book and oneI'd definitely recommend (although maybe not to those die hard religious types who take offense at everything and believe we're all going to hell, simply for existing). And since it doesn't link closely to any other Discworld books, it can definitely be enjoyed regardless of whether you have read an of Pratchett's other works, and of whether you plan to read any others.
Some notes on the content warnings:
Small Gods is not a part of any of the Discworld subseries. Instead it examines the roles of religion on the disc (although the round earthers will insist that the earth is a globe and not flat). The god Om has lost most of his believers (although they still believe and insist that they believe) and was unable to return in one of his more impressive form (like white bull that crushes infidels). Instead, he returns as a tortoise (there's good eating on one of them) and even forgets that he is a god until he picked up out of the desert by an eagle and dropped near Brutha, who is a low level member of Om's temple. Om quickly realises that belief in his religion is not the same in belief in him and Brutha starts to question everything he has been taught, both through his god and through being exposed to a world outside of the temple.
It's been a little while since my last Pratchett, but this was definitely a good one. In typical Pratchett fashion, this book is smart and funny. I loved the tongue in cheek commentary about religious indoctrination and about how religion can so easily be corrupted by people. Even Om is upset about how his name has been used, his role twisted and how he has been used to justify things he never said (the prophets made up things to suit their needs). I can see similar trends in modern religion - amongst certain groups religion has become more about hate rather than the love it preaches. I don't see this is not an attack on religion or spirituality itself, but rather on the bigots who use their religion to justify their views. That being said, I can see why some more deeply religious people wouldn't love the message. Although some (especially those born into it and possibly questioning it) would benefit. I loved seeing Brutha's growth as he was exposed to a greater world and learned to be his own person. I also enjoyed the dropped mentions of other gods and character that have been mention before (like Offlar the crocodile god or The Librarian). And Cut-Me-Own-Hand-Off Dhblah? Proof that these kinds of people simply appear where needed (as Pratchett has previously stated with regards to Cut-Me-Own-Throat Dibbler).
I think this is one of the darker Discworld novels (so far). While it still remains humerous, it explores themes such as cult-like religion, religious indoctrination, war about beliefs and the like. That being said, it's a great book and oneI'd definitely recommend (although maybe not to those die hard religious types who take offense at everything and believe we're all going to hell, simply for existing). And since it doesn't link closely to any other Discworld books, it can definitely be enjoyed regardless of whether you have read an of Pratchett's other works, and of whether you plan to read any others.
Some notes on the content warnings:
- Religious bigotry/ gaslighting (also cults):
People do bad things in the name of religgion, make up things about their god (which he is surprised about) and keep their followers from expanding their horizons - Slavery:
Ironically the actual slaves are treated much better than those who work for the temple. They are allowed time off and allowed to run away each year (go on holiday). They also, supposedly, get freedom and their own slaves after a set number of years of service. At least the main one we meet seems to be well treated. - War/ fire:
There is a war in the name of religion. It includes a fire. No details about people being injured, but a library is burned down - Drowning (not an option)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Xenophobia, and War
Minor: Slavery
olma's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
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? No
4.0
Loved this installment of the Discworld Universe. I gave this one a 4 star because it was a bit slower paced, particularly while wandering through the desert, but the story was great.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, War, and Violence
petitemass15's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Violence, Religious bigotry, War, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
kshertz's review
funny
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
It was interesting for sure. I love the silliness and the smart quips. It took a lot of focus for me to get through this book and I’m thinking this type of book is not really my style. But I did enjoy it and laugh a lot.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, and War
woweewhoa's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Alcohol, Death of parent, Animal cruelty, Religious bigotry, Torture, War, and Violence
Minor: Racism