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sydsnot71's review against another edition
3.0
So, this is the first time I've re-read The Colour of Magic since the mid-1990s. I loved this book so much when I first read it in c.1989 and it set me off on a major Terry Pratchett read. In fact, I met him briefly at a signing in Lancaster whilst at University. I still have a signed copy of 'Good Omens'. It's a well-read, battered and much-loved copy. Somewhere about the mid-90s, I stopped reading fantasy to any large degree. Weirdly, I think Harry Potter put me off for a while, which isn't J K Rowling's fault. I think I just lost touch with what people who also read fantasy.
This time around I still enjoyed it, but there was something missing. It wasn't as smooth a read as I remembered. It read like the first book in a series and a little more like a book whose author was still finding his way.
I still enjoy Rincewind as a character. Actually, I find all the main characters interesting: Twoflower and Hrun The Barbarian, and the Luggage (which is a great piece of creation from Pratchett.)
This book feels more like a parody of fantasy than some of the later Discworld novels when Pratchett has developed the world more and it feels more like a fantasy series of its own as opposed to a parody.
I do wonder whether the issue is me actually. I'm a different person to the person I was when I read this book in c.1989 when it felt like the palate cleanser I needed after reading so much straight fantasy fiction, a lot of which I can't remember the titles of. This was funny and different from most of what I had already read. So, perhaps I can't recreate that feeling. That's to be expected.
I still enjoyed it though but with more reservations than I once had.
This time around I still enjoyed it, but there was something missing. It wasn't as smooth a read as I remembered. It read like the first book in a series and a little more like a book whose author was still finding his way.
I still enjoy Rincewind as a character. Actually, I find all the main characters interesting: Twoflower and Hrun The Barbarian, and the Luggage (which is a great piece of creation from Pratchett.)
This book feels more like a parody of fantasy than some of the later Discworld novels when Pratchett has developed the world more and it feels more like a fantasy series of its own as opposed to a parody.
I do wonder whether the issue is me actually. I'm a different person to the person I was when I read this book in c.1989 when it felt like the palate cleanser I needed after reading so much straight fantasy fiction, a lot of which I can't remember the titles of. This was funny and different from most of what I had already read. So, perhaps I can't recreate that feeling. That's to be expected.
I still enjoyed it though but with more reservations than I once had.
hyunjin's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
what is going on even
nicolekjarvis's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bansh3equeen's review against another edition
4.0
4 Stars.
This is the first Terry Pratchett book I have ever read. I have heard people say that this is not TP’s best work, and if that is the case, then I am very much looking forward to his other books.
I had avoided reading any Discworld novels for a long time. I thought I wouldn’t enjoy the humour and I would end up disappointed, however that is not what happened. I have always loved Rincewind due to the old PC game I used to play, and this was just building on that concept with humour and detail.
Amusing, light hearted, not too serious but still entertaining and captivating. This was a quick, easy and great read. I recommend it.
This is the first Terry Pratchett book I have ever read. I have heard people say that this is not TP’s best work, and if that is the case, then I am very much looking forward to his other books.
I had avoided reading any Discworld novels for a long time. I thought I wouldn’t enjoy the humour and I would end up disappointed, however that is not what happened. I have always loved Rincewind due to the old PC game I used to play, and this was just building on that concept with humour and detail.
Amusing, light hearted, not too serious but still entertaining and captivating. This was a quick, easy and great read. I recommend it.
schpliken8's review against another edition
3.0
I love Pratchett, but this is by far his weakest book. Still, I liked it enough that I've read it twice. And the second time I liked it better knowing that Pratchett himself said it basically has no plot. Read the "chapters" like short stories.
a_writer_guy's review against another edition
4.0
Oh Discworld, how fantastic you are. Rincewind is probably the most loveable wizard in the history of literature. He's nervous, scared, and generally jittery. The story was just fun to follow and the characters were just fun. I loved this book, and I can't wait to read the next in the series.
a_writer_guy's review against another edition
4.0
Well, seeing as how it's the story that inspired my own books - at least to some degree - I'd say it's one of my favorites. So cheeky and witty. Love the Discworld series.
andrewrawr's review against another edition
3.0
If you're looking to start Discworld, I'd recommend reading Guards! Guards! or a novel similarly far along first. Pratchett had developed Discworld's humor and satire much more by then, whereas this book tends to read a bit more as mockery. Events are often arbitrary and seemingly pointless, as opposed to future books where everything ties together neatly and hilariously. I did love the characters, and I think you should come back to this eventually, but I think it's not going to be the best introduction for most people.
smitchy's review
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
4.0
olivebeans23's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0