Reviews - Reaper Man | The StoryGraph

2.56k reviews for:

Reaper Man

Terry Pratchett

4.2 AVERAGE

smiley_c's review against another edition

4.0

WHAT CAN THE HARVEST HOPE FOR, IF NOT FOR THE CARE OF THE REAPER MAN?

It's such a strange journey reading this one. The dichotomy between philosophical undertones on Bill Door aka Death in temporary retirement, and the sheer silliness of Windle Poons' afterlife mayhem (involving trolleys)-- it feels as if they belong to completely different stories, mashed together. Yet I'm grateful for the dual storyline giving this otherwise emotionally heavy book a lighter distraction. Suffice to say I did found my eyes going teary, of course.

No one is finally dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away, until the clock wound up winds down, until the wine she made has finished its ferment, until the crop they planted is harvested. The span of someone’s life is only the core of their actual existence.

Death is one of my favourite Discworld characters, so it makes me so happy to see him starring the centre role again. The last parts are my favourite honestly.

Spoiler

I'm slightly disappointed Sal didn't really play that much of a role (at least she didn't really get to know Bill Door well), given how she's on the cover. I'm surprised and pleased how Miss Flitworth ended up -- in the best way possible. *sob*

The wizards were more of a comic relief here, but I enjoyed their interactions and have laughed out loud a couple of times (Yo!). I didn't really care so much for Windle Poons or less for the Fresh Start club, but meeting Mrs Cake and her daughter properly is awesome (had to remind myself Angua is not introduced yet...! [b:Men at Arms|400354|Men at Arms (Discworld, #15; City Watch, #2)|Terry Pratchett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388215150l/400354._SY75_.jpg|819071] happens later, as Detritus is still a splatter -- like a bouncer, but harder). The trolley storyline confused me a bit, but ah, I'll just sort it out on a reread. Vetinari's cameo is funny though -- the part where he negotiate tax with the wizards is hilarious. Also, we have a mention

Spoiler

It's so fun to pick up recurring phrases and ideas he later used, it really makes me so happy to spot references here and there. One of the fun things about reading a long series with so many books, all on the same world.

I love how the scenes aren't necessarily descriptive -- nothing like purple prose or paragraphs upon paragraphs, yet with a few simple lines, the imagery is so clear. You could picture the them like you're watching a film, the camera focussing on wherever the mind's eye should pay attention too. There are so many scenes I want to put on paper, translate onto blank white pages with ink and colours. Just picture this: the dusk drawing in, casting long shadows on the field, stalks of golden wheat waving in the breeze, while Death and Binky stood at the edge, regarding the memory of a certain Bill Door, caring enough for the harvest to scythe them one by one.

Definitely would recommend this! Perfect for late summer/early autumn, when the chill is settling in and evenings grew long. But still great for any other time of the year :)

synth81's review against another edition

4.5

emotional funny mysterious reflective

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

lemundy_luv's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous funny inspiring reflective 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: Complicated

kaspirals's review against another edition

4.5

hopeful inspiring reflective 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: Complicated

sage01's review against another edition

2.0

I like the Witches books so much better than the Death books, although I've only read two so far. Generally, I find TP's female characters to be vastly more engaging, and this book suffered from having far too few women in it.