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graygabs's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
canaanmerchant's review against another edition
4.0
This was my most anticipated book of 2013 and 2014. It was going to be interesting to see how the 40th (!) novel in a series will hold up. The good news is that it performs admirably.
This review isn't really about the novel itself and instead is my thoughts on many of the criticisms that have come before, during, and after many others have read it.
- Some people don't like it when Pratchett gets preachy and think he's played out the morality lessons using fantastic racism a few too many times. I'm the exact opposite. Thud! is my favorite discworld novel for pretty much precisely this reason. That novel (and this one, which is is a thematic sequel, if not a direct one since Vimes isn't the main character here) has one of the best arguments for pluralism that one can make. Moreover, visiting the theme again (and again after Snuff and Unseen Academicals) shows that society improves by increments and sometimes steps are backwards or not nearly as large as we'd like them to be. It takes work to make people (and dwarves, trolls and goblins) to be nice and respectful to one another.
- This is just more evidence to my position that Moist is being groomed for Vetinari's job once Vetinari exits on his own terms. But this is part of a larger criticism that the characters (especially Vetinari and Vimes) didn't quite seem like themselves. I got that vibe too but it didn't really bother me and upon analysis it makes sense. Vimes doesn't have much personality but much of the personality we're familiar with comes with the self doubt we always see when he's the main character. His character was right in line with all of his other DW cameos. But this role was much more than a cameo which makes it a little more jarring. But Moist is now one of the more powerful men in Ankh Morpork and is more or less equal in status to Vimes, they're naturally going to swim in the same waters now and the city will still need a watch commander whenever the next patrician comes along.
With Vetinari, it's the relationship that has changed with Moist and not necessarily the character (who is pretty much capable of anything anyway). Moist has already been pressed into service twice by Vetinari at this point and Moist isn't dumb. He knows how the game is played. And once you know the rules you can begin thinking of ways to break them. Vetinari is of course prudent to recognize this and spends considerable time reminding Moist that the only rules that he can break are the ones that Vetinari allows him to break. That's why we see a harsher Vetinari compared to the quiet plotter that we're used to. Vimes and Vetnari reached their understanding a while ago but even at the end of Making Money there's a sense that Moist still hasn't quite gotten there. But I think he learns quickly at the end of Raising Steam.
- Finally, this novel features Vimes and Moist fighting dwarves on the top of a train. I repeat, THIS BOOK FEATURES VIMES AND MOIST FIGHTING DWARVES ON TOP OF A TRAIN! HOW CAN YOU DISLIKE A BOOK THAT FEATURES THAT!
So a fine effort by Sir Terry and here's to 40 more discworld novels.
This review isn't really about the novel itself and instead is my thoughts on many of the criticisms that have come before, during, and after many others have read it.
- Some people don't like it when Pratchett gets preachy and think he's played out the morality lessons using fantastic racism a few too many times. I'm the exact opposite. Thud! is my favorite discworld novel for pretty much precisely this reason. That novel (and this one, which is is a thematic sequel, if not a direct one since Vimes isn't the main character here) has one of the best arguments for pluralism that one can make. Moreover, visiting the theme again (and again after Snuff and Unseen Academicals) shows that society improves by increments and sometimes steps are backwards or not nearly as large as we'd like them to be. It takes work to make people (and dwarves, trolls and goblins) to be nice and respectful to one another.
- This is just more evidence to my position that Moist is being groomed for Vetinari's job once Vetinari exits on his own terms. But this is part of a larger criticism that the characters (especially Vetinari and Vimes) didn't quite seem like themselves. I got that vibe too but it didn't really bother me and upon analysis it makes sense. Vimes doesn't have much personality but much of the personality we're familiar with comes with the self doubt we always see when he's the main character. His character was right in line with all of his other DW cameos. But this role was much more than a cameo which makes it a little more jarring. But Moist is now one of the more powerful men in Ankh Morpork and is more or less equal in status to Vimes, they're naturally going to swim in the same waters now and the city will still need a watch commander whenever the next patrician comes along.
With Vetinari, it's the relationship that has changed with Moist and not necessarily the character (who is pretty much capable of anything anyway). Moist has already been pressed into service twice by Vetinari at this point and Moist isn't dumb. He knows how the game is played. And once you know the rules you can begin thinking of ways to break them. Vetinari is of course prudent to recognize this and spends considerable time reminding Moist that the only rules that he can break are the ones that Vetinari allows him to break. That's why we see a harsher Vetinari compared to the quiet plotter that we're used to. Vimes and Vetnari reached their understanding a while ago but even at the end of Making Money there's a sense that Moist still hasn't quite gotten there. But I think he learns quickly at the end of Raising Steam.
- Finally, this novel features Vimes and Moist fighting dwarves on the top of a train. I repeat, THIS BOOK FEATURES VIMES AND MOIST FIGHTING DWARVES ON TOP OF A TRAIN! HOW CAN YOU DISLIKE A BOOK THAT FEATURES THAT!
So a fine effort by Sir Terry and here's to 40 more discworld novels.
rachelita's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
crimsoncor's review against another edition
2.0
Really disappointing entry in what is one of my favorite all time series. Disjointed plot with almost none of the typical depth that you've come to expect from Pratchett's characters.
jwells's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
Always great to spend time in Discworld. This one felt slightly flat to me, though. I think it's because, compared to the Tiffany Aching books that I've been reading recently, the stakes were unconvincing. Or at least unconvincingly personal.
(Would Vetinari really execute his Postmaster General/Head of the Mint/I Forget What-All, just because of one failure at this point? Yes, Vetinari is supposed to be this terrible tyrant, but he's mostly always struck me as eminently practical. Why lose such a valuable resource as Lipwig by demanding the impossible?)
(Would Vetinari really execute his Postmaster General/Head of the Mint/I Forget What-All, just because of one failure at this point? Yes, Vetinari is supposed to be this terrible tyrant, but he's mostly always struck me as eminently practical. Why lose such a valuable resource as Lipwig by demanding the impossible?)
madmooney's review against another edition
4.0
I have always loved Pratchett, initially because of his unique way of treating the fantasy genre (as part parody, part real-historical allegory). Given his recent decline in health, I have always read his most recent books with trepidation, always asking the question: could this be his last?
When I read "I Shall Wear Midnight" (his Tiffany Achling YA series), I had honestly felt that this was his goodbye-book to his readers; not only had it incorporated most of the elements from the majority of his Discworld threads, but the ending has a feel of 'and now its time for the Discworld to grow up, as the GReat A'tuin sails off into space, fare-thee-well'.
This book, Raising Steam, had a similar feel to it.
The Discworld, the jacket of the book proclaims, has finally entered the Steam Age. The steam engine has been invented, and its inventor has great ambitions for it. Vetinari, the Tyrant Lord of Ankh-Morkpork, has decided to attach series-favourite Moist Von Lipwig to the process of uniting the entire continent under a web of steel. Unforutnatly, there are forces out there on the Disc that don't want this to happen: unwanted ideas come along with the people travelling railroad, ideas that are dangerous to these smaller fiefdoms. The process of making the disc 'a small world after all' won't be easy, with truant dwarves destroying clack-towers in defiance of the natural progress of civilization.
This will be seen as a definitive, must-read, Discworld book when the series is done.
When I read "I Shall Wear Midnight" (his Tiffany Achling YA series), I had honestly felt that this was his goodbye-book to his readers; not only had it incorporated most of the elements from the majority of his Discworld threads, but the ending has a feel of 'and now its time for the Discworld to grow up, as the GReat A'tuin sails off into space, fare-thee-well'.
This book, Raising Steam, had a similar feel to it.
The Discworld, the jacket of the book proclaims, has finally entered the Steam Age. The steam engine has been invented, and its inventor has great ambitions for it. Vetinari, the Tyrant Lord of Ankh-Morkpork, has decided to attach series-favourite Moist Von Lipwig to the process of uniting the entire continent under a web of steel. Unforutnatly, there are forces out there on the Disc that don't want this to happen: unwanted ideas come along with the people travelling railroad, ideas that are dangerous to these smaller fiefdoms. The process of making the disc 'a small world after all' won't be easy, with truant dwarves destroying clack-towers in defiance of the natural progress of civilization.
This will be seen as a definitive, must-read, Discworld book when the series is done.
mjporterauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Now, I've been a huge Terry Pratchett fan for (scary fact this) more than half of my life, but in the last five years, I've fallen out of favour with him and have read very few books. I feel bad about it, but sadly, I just didn't want to read any of the books. I had high hopes that Raising Steam would make me forget all my grumpiness and enjoy the wonderful humour and quirky characters of Discword all over again. Sadly, it didn't quite do that, but only because my favourite characters only made fleeting appearances - Death and Ridcully to name but the two I can remember. The story was good and moved along at (sorry I can't put in a train pun) good speed but it was an effort in places to keep reading. However, I'm going to work my way backwards and read some of the others in the series that I've missed, so I must have enjoyed it!
rebekah_l's review against another edition
Just wasn't clicking with me this time. Will come back to it another time.
sarahlreadseverything's review against another edition
4.0
The Moist Von Lipwig arc is my favourite of the Discworld novels. It took me longer than usual to get into Raising Steam, and I admit I had a moment where I found myself wondering if Pratchett's writing was starting to suffer with his health. But no, soon after I was sucked in and galloping along. Although I probably prefer Going Postal and Making Money, Raising Steam is still a goodie and I sincerely hope we get to see more of Moist.
aliteralfield's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I have now completed all the Discworld books!
This own is about the invention of the steam engine in discoworld and the connection of the world. Raising Steam is extraordinary in that we get to see interactions between deeply developed characters from multi-book arcs— Vimes and Moist, Harry King, The Patrician. It also deals wonderfully with the Industrial Age development story of the steam engine, from a uniquely Pratchett angle. It does feel like the last book even if it wasn’t intended to be.
This own is about the invention of the steam engine in discoworld and the connection of the world. Raising Steam is extraordinary in that we get to see interactions between deeply developed characters from multi-book arcs— Vimes and Moist, Harry King, The Patrician. It also deals wonderfully with the Industrial Age development story of the steam engine, from a uniquely Pratchett angle. It does feel like the last book even if it wasn’t intended to be.