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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don’t like the first two books in the Discworld series as much as I do the rest of them, I think it took him a bit to find his feet as it were. That said, even the least of the Pratchetts are better than the average writer can manage at their peak.
Terry Pratchett has an odd sense of humor. These books are funny. Sarcastic funny, delivered somewhat deadpan. Which makes it even funnier. These books are not for everyone. I'm told the first few are not as good as his later book, or they are hit or miss. This one was funny to me, a little long, but still good. I will be continuing the Discworld series.
I mean come on, reading about a flat world (the disc) being carried on the backs of four elephants standing on the back of a giant turtle traveling though space... lol. Hilarious.
I mean come on, reading about a flat world (the disc) being carried on the backs of four elephants standing on the back of a giant turtle traveling though space... lol. Hilarious.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
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
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*This review contains some mild spoilers for the previous novel in the series (The Colour of Magic)*
The second part of a duology, The Light Fantastic brings closure to the adventures of Rincewind the (failed) wizard and Twoflower, the Discworld's first tourist. Despite one being the direct sequel of the other, the books have strong differences, which are probably due in part to the almost three years separating their publication.
Structure-wise, the Light Fantastic has more of an overarching story than The Colour of Magic. Rincewind and Twoflower falling off the edge at the end of the first volume haq triggered a dangerous series of events at the Unseen University. They will still spend most of the book escaping from one danger to the next, but the plot feels slightly less gratuitous this time. The book ends in the kind of epic showdown one expects from a fantasy adventure. Mind you, it's not an especially satisfying one: Pratchett doesn't inject the necessary tension and the confrontation is somewhat hard to follow. Moreover, its biggest sin is that it doesn't really arise organically from the preceding developments. But compared to the aimlessness of the Colour of Magic, the structure is nevertheless an improvement. And I loved the sweetly moving short epilogue.
What disappointed me the most was the weak supporting characters. The Colour of Magic had many memorable ones: Bravd and the Weasel, Hrun, Liessa, Tethis, the emperor of Krull, the Patrician and of course DEATH. In the Light Fantastic, aside from DEATH's comeback, no supporting character was particularly interesting. Cohen and Bethan, the two main ones, are especially dull.
When it comes to the humour, there are notable differences as well. Here, Pratchett puts less emphasis on the parody of other fantasy series and begins to satirise our own society, a trend that will continue in his later novels. Pratchett managed to further improve his witty one-liners between the publication of the books. I laughed more often while reading this volume than the previous one. On the other hand, I found the situational humour much weaker.
Overall, despite improvement in some aspects, The Light Fantastic is a rather weak sequel. It's still very funny and absolutely worth reading if you liked the Colour of Magic, but by itself, it is unlikely to turn any reader into a huge Discworld fan.
The second part of a duology, The Light Fantastic brings closure to the adventures of Rincewind the (failed) wizard and Twoflower, the Discworld's first tourist. Despite one being the direct sequel of the other, the books have strong differences, which are probably due in part to the almost three years separating their publication.
Structure-wise, the Light Fantastic has more of an overarching story than The Colour of Magic. Rincewind and Twoflower falling off the edge at the end of the first volume haq triggered a dangerous series of events at the Unseen University. They will still spend most of the book escaping from one danger to the next, but the plot feels slightly less gratuitous this time. The book ends in the kind of epic showdown one expects from a fantasy adventure. Mind you, it's not an especially satisfying one: Pratchett doesn't inject the necessary tension and the confrontation is somewhat hard to follow. Moreover, its biggest sin is that it doesn't really arise organically from the preceding developments. But compared to the aimlessness of the Colour of Magic, the structure is nevertheless an improvement. And I loved the sweetly moving short epilogue.
What disappointed me the most was the weak supporting characters. The Colour of Magic had many memorable ones: Bravd and the Weasel, Hrun, Liessa, Tethis, the emperor of Krull, the Patrician and of course DEATH. In the Light Fantastic, aside from DEATH's comeback, no supporting character was particularly interesting. Cohen and Bethan, the two main ones, are especially dull.
When it comes to the humour, there are notable differences as well. Here, Pratchett puts less emphasis on the parody of other fantasy series and begins to satirise our own society, a trend that will continue in his later novels. Pratchett managed to further improve his witty one-liners between the publication of the books. I laughed more often while reading this volume than the previous one. On the other hand, I found the situational humour much weaker.
Overall, despite improvement in some aspects, The Light Fantastic is a rather weak sequel. It's still very funny and absolutely worth reading if you liked the Colour of Magic, but by itself, it is unlikely to turn any reader into a huge Discworld fan.
Content Warnings
Minor: Religious bigotry
NEW REVIEW:
After returning to this book about 25 years later... and I really enjoyed this book. (Again)
This 2nd installment vastly improved on the 1st book. It kind of felt like part 1 was Pratchett trying out how it was to write an epic story, where as this one felt less rushed. I think the pacing is much better and it doesn't tend to jump around so much. The story has a build up and s conclusion.
Although still feels like he is only starting to shape this world.
I know there is bladder to come so again, dropped this from 5 stars to 4.
A very cool little story, and much funnier than the first one too. Loved Cohen!
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
Discworld Novels were a series of books I really got into around the age of about 13 to 16. Terry Pratchett really got me back into wanting to read books for fun!
I will have to go back and read them all though as forgot most of the stories by now ha ha...
After returning to this book about 25 years later... and I really enjoyed this book. (Again)
This 2nd installment vastly improved on the 1st book. It kind of felt like part 1 was Pratchett trying out how it was to write an epic story, where as this one felt less rushed. I think the pacing is much better and it doesn't tend to jump around so much. The story has a build up and s conclusion.
Although still feels like he is only starting to shape this world.
I know there is bladder to come so again, dropped this from 5 stars to 4.
A very cool little story, and much funnier than the first one too. Loved Cohen!
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
Discworld Novels were a series of books I really got into around the age of about 13 to 16. Terry Pratchett really got me back into wanting to read books for fun!
I will have to go back and read them all though as forgot most of the stories by now ha ha...
How can one dislike a book with sentient luggage as a main character? Well, one can't, really, though one can note that she didn't like it quite as well as the Watch or the witch books of Discworld.
adventurous
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Honestly, the Light Fantastic is kind of less good than the Color of Magic for me weirdly enough. But the ending is sweet.