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lukas_arngreb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
carolined's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hartyharrharr's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
art_cart_ron's review against another edition
4.0
Without question, my favorite Rincewind outing so far. I look forward to them only getting better, as each of the Discworld books (beginning around Pyramids, #7) has been.
Of the Pratchett books I've read, this one most closely resembled a Doctor Who plot - in the same manner that Douglas Adams was known for. The Adams comparisons (to Pratchett) are plentiful, but I'm soundly in the camp that finds Discworld far and away more fun and well-written than Hitchhiker's Guide (and company - including Dirk Gently). As for this being like a DW plot - it most resembles the Keys Of Marinus serials. There are also shades of Time Bandits.
Eric has very little to do with the story, in fact - the character of Rincewind is just about the only decently fleshed-out one. It's a quick-moving little novella, but it takes you from the beginning of time to the end of it - from separate eras in Klatch to Hell itself (one of the best characterizations of that location that I've ever read - with the notion of boredom > fire being wholly terrifying and relatable). Fans of The Luggage won't be disappointed (I myself haven't been one, but I became one in this book).
The cover is a mistake - the parrot within the story is a bit character, not a macaw, described as mangy (like a hairbrush), it's perching on an open cage is immaterial, and it doesn't represent the story at all. Discworld covers, in this particular print run, are pretty awful - and a handicap to its appeal to readers who don't already know they are in the presence of immortal classics that they'll want to reread for life.
The perfect palette cleanser following a disappointing book I'd finished a couple days ago.
Short, sweet, and substantial.
Of the Pratchett books I've read, this one most closely resembled a Doctor Who plot - in the same manner that Douglas Adams was known for. The Adams comparisons (to Pratchett) are plentiful, but I'm soundly in the camp that finds Discworld far and away more fun and well-written than Hitchhiker's Guide (and company - including Dirk Gently). As for this being like a DW plot - it most resembles the Keys Of Marinus serials. There are also shades of Time Bandits.
Eric has very little to do with the story, in fact - the character of Rincewind is just about the only decently fleshed-out one. It's a quick-moving little novella, but it takes you from the beginning of time to the end of it - from separate eras in Klatch to Hell itself (one of the best characterizations of that location that I've ever read - with the notion of boredom > fire being wholly terrifying and relatable). Fans of The Luggage won't be disappointed (I myself haven't been one, but I became one in this book).
The cover is a mistake - the parrot within the story is a bit character, not a macaw, described as mangy (like a hairbrush), it's perching on an open cage is immaterial, and it doesn't represent the story at all. Discworld covers, in this particular print run, are pretty awful - and a handicap to its appeal to readers who don't already know they are in the presence of immortal classics that they'll want to reread for life.
The perfect palette cleanser following a disappointing book I'd finished a couple days ago.
Short, sweet, and substantial.
ruuuooooo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
palaeolly's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lmsokol18's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Continuing my Discworld read. This one was just ok for me.
chaosetc's review against another edition
4.0
Quantum physics, the big bang, and the truth about demons.
“The gods of the Disc have never bothered much about judging the souls of the dead, and so people only go to hell if that's where they believe, in their deepest heart, that they deserve to go. Which they won't do if they don't know about it. This explains why it is so important to shoot missionaries on sight.”
“Demons have existed on the Discworld for at least as long as the gods, who in many ways they closely resemble. The difference is basically the same as that between terrorists and freedom fighters.”
“Hell needed horribly bright, self-centered people like Eric. They were much better at being nasty than demons could ever manage.”
“Just erotic. Nothing kinky. It's the difference between using a feather and using a chicken.”
On the luggage as a god:
“When no amount of worshipping caused the Luggage to come back and trample their enemies they poisoned all their priests and tried enlightened atheism instead, which still meant they could kill as many people as they liked but didn’t have to get up so early to do it.”
“The gods of the Disc have never bothered much about judging the souls of the dead, and so people only go to hell if that's where they believe, in their deepest heart, that they deserve to go. Which they won't do if they don't know about it. This explains why it is so important to shoot missionaries on sight.”
“Demons have existed on the Discworld for at least as long as the gods, who in many ways they closely resemble. The difference is basically the same as that between terrorists and freedom fighters.”
“Hell needed horribly bright, self-centered people like Eric. They were much better at being nasty than demons could ever manage.”
“Just erotic. Nothing kinky. It's the difference between using a feather and using a chicken.”
On the luggage as a god:
“When no amount of worshipping caused the Luggage to come back and trample their enemies they poisoned all their priests and tried enlightened atheism instead, which still meant they could kill as many people as they liked but didn’t have to get up so early to do it.”
snykas's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75