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dmturner's review against another edition
3.0
An encyclopedia of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels. I read it all the way through, because I own and rereaad the books regularly, and am going to keep it handy, though I doubt I'll ever reread this. It's basically Pratchett without the story lines.
indiepauli47's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
A very, very complete companion to the DW series, containing absolutely everything you need to know about this amazing world.
Very helpful and detailed, it also contains an interview with Sir Pratchett, and a very interesting take on the process of translators of the DW series.
Very helpful and detailed, it also contains an interview with Sir Pratchett, and a very interesting take on the process of translators of the DW series.
salot3's review against another edition
informative
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
fellumhistane's review against another edition
5.0
An amazingly funny and witty compendium of everything discworld.
srlemons42's review against another edition
5.0
Apparently this is an updated version of the same book. Well, I've never read the book before, so it was all new to me.
I really liked it! I like companion books in general, and when they are for one of my favorite series/authors it's even better!
I really liked it! I like companion books in general, and when they are for one of my favorite series/authors it's even better!
woolfardis's review against another edition
4.0
There's a pun right there in the title; I think that's sufficient reason to read this book.
The third installment, or rather, the third revised edition of the Discworld Companion. This one features all the entries from the previous two, plus more entries up to Raising Steam. The only novel it does not feature is The Shepherd's Crown, so this edition is pretty much the definitive companion.
It is alphabetised for your convenience and offers information on anything from main characters to sidemen only there to enable a joke; from large, bustling metropolises to small, insignificant villages only there to enable a joke.
Handy if you want a quick revision of Discworld shenanigans without fully re-reading the books or if you're compiling a lovely quiz for Christmas to make your family hate you even more so they don't visit next year.
The third installment, or rather, the third revised edition of the Discworld Companion. This one features all the entries from the previous two, plus more entries up to Raising Steam. The only novel it does not feature is The Shepherd's Crown, so this edition is pretty much the definitive companion.
It is alphabetised for your convenience and offers information on anything from main characters to sidemen only there to enable a joke; from large, bustling metropolises to small, insignificant villages only there to enable a joke.
Handy if you want a quick revision of Discworld shenanigans without fully re-reading the books or if you're compiling a lovely quiz for Christmas to make your family hate you even more so they don't visit next year.
bookaneer's review against another edition
4.0
Not as spoilery as I thought. Useful encyclopedia, but only if you plan to read most of Discworld books. Funny interview at the end.
And it took me a while to realize that the title is a pun. D'oh!
And it took me a while to realize that the title is a pun. D'oh!
molokov's review against another edition
2.0
This is the fourth copy (and third edition) of the Discworld Companion that I own, and this latest update is somewhat of a disappointment. There is a whole raft of typography errors, missing references, a fair few instances where the text has repeated phrases in different paragraph - as if an earlier entry was updated with haste rather than completely rewritten - and some info that is inaccurate or just plain wrong (by quick comparison with the original novel referred to). This edition appears to have been a rush job by Briggs - I know he has a day job, but maybe this update could have been done by someone else?
Despite all this, there is a raft of new entries about the novels published since the last edition of the Companion, but there are still certainly some major missing pieces. I suspect that it would be better for all if the Discworld Wiki would be allowed to reproduce all the info from this book, and then allow users to update everything as required (under the guidance of a handful of editors, perhaps including Briggs or other superfans) (no not me)
The backmatter contains some material from the first edition, which is a great historical footnote, but something new (plus maybe a collection of /all/ the material from previous editions) would have been nicer.
Cover artwork (by Marc Simonetti) is brilliant, though.
Despite all this, there is a raft of new entries about the novels published since the last edition of the Companion, but there are still certainly some major missing pieces. I suspect that it would be better for all if the Discworld Wiki would be allowed to reproduce all the info from this book, and then allow users to update everything as required (under the guidance of a handful of editors, perhaps including Briggs or other superfans) (no not me)
The backmatter contains some material from the first edition, which is a great historical footnote, but something new (plus maybe a collection of /all/ the material from previous editions) would have been nicer.
Cover artwork (by Marc Simonetti) is brilliant, though.
letzygonsbezygons's review against another edition
5.0
It probably wasn't designed to be read straight through, but if Tiffany Aching can read the entire dictionary, then I can read what is basically a Discworld encyclopedia cover to cover.
kbeddes's review against another edition
5.0
This is such a fantastic reference book. Anything you wonder about in the Discworld universe, you can find the answer in this encyclopedia. It's brilliant.