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woweewhoa's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Fatphobia, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Transphobia
ampharos906's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Violence, Animal death, Death, Murder, and Blood
hylian_narwhal's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death and Fire/Fire injury
chalkletters's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
3.0
It’s always exciting to make another inroad into the vast universe of Discworld, especially one which falls into a new subcategory, as Going Postal did for me. The name Moist von Lipwig was familiar, but everything else about the character and his history came as a delightful surprise. As goals go, ‘rejuvenate the postal system’ doesn’t sound as though it will be all that absorbing and yet, as Moist applies his skills as a conman to the business of civil service, the story sweeps you along nicely. Had Going Postalbeen nothing but a series of escalating problems successfully solved, it would have been enjoyable.
Of course, things can’t be that simple: the conflict is well-paced, reminding me a little of The Once and Future Witches, though with a less dramatic emotional punch. Everything that Terry Pratchett sets up pays off, or else seems like fertile ground for future novels to explore. Going Postal’s prose is of the clear, unassuming kind that doesn’t get in the way of enjoying the plot. The only rough part was a portion of dramatic irony, which I have an incredibly low tolerance for.
While it seems necessary to mention social commentary in any Discworld review, it’s not something which jumps out to me as a reviewer. This may be why I find Terry Pratchett’s novels enjoyable but not sparklingly magical. For any readers in a similar position: Going Postal is perfectly enjoyable without engaging with the deeper meaning!
While I’m not sure I’ll ever get around to reading every Discworld novel, I do hope to eventually make the acquaintance of Samuel Vimes and Granny Weatherwax, so this won’t be the last time I read Terry Pratchett.
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal death and Death
anna_m_k's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
My first Discworld novel and it certainly won't be my last! This was a fun, funny, and insightful book with an amazing cast. Especially the protagonist, Moist von Lipwig, who goes from con man to respected government official by staying a con man at heart. He's a refreshingly down to earth protagonist who reacts quite normally to positively wild situations, even within a fantasy novel and his asides on the nature of government seem quite relevant even today.
Fun and clever, it was a great introduction to this world and one I highly recommend.
Fun and clever, it was a great introduction to this world and one I highly recommend.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death
Minor: Fatphobia
crufts's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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
5.0
I adore this book. Out of the entire Discworld series, it's my favourite.
- Questionable hero gets a redemption arc.
- Realistic use of interesting technologies to drive the plot.
- Hilarious jokes.
- Despicable villains.
- That little spark of magic and mystery.
- Expressing a love of letters.
- Ingenious combination of the hero's criminal background and the demands of his present (lawful) employment.
Strongly recommended as a standalone read, even if you haven't read the other Discworld novels.
Minor: Violence and Death
dealingwithdragons's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, and Medical content
Moderate: Death
Minor: Animal death and Fatphobia
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