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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
I want to hang out with Death. Would do 4.5 if I could. These books are so nonsensical and poignant and delusionally human. Old gods do new things.
Summary: A nice comedic reflection on the meaning of Christmas set in a fantasy-satire world.
What I liked:
Humour: I laughed, quite a bit, not out loud but I was definitely amused for large parts of the read.
Philosophy/satire: I found quite a few of the political/philosophical musics to be apt.
What I thought could be improved:
Maybe a few less characters in the gang, bit hard to follow who was who.
Standout: Death as Santa in the toy shop, read it three times I like it so much.
What I liked:
Humour: I laughed, quite a bit, not out loud but I was definitely amused for large parts of the read.
Philosophy/satire: I found quite a few of the political/philosophical musics to be apt.
What I thought could be improved:
Maybe a few less characters in the gang, bit hard to follow who was who.
Standout: Death as Santa in the toy shop, read it three times I like it so much.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
As usual, there's a bit more going on in Pratchett's work; it's not just comedic fluff. Here, he gets at belief and its value to being human.
The Hogfather is the Discworld's Santa Claus. Children believe in him, and the tooth fairy, and the boogie man, and so on.
In this story, those beliefs are...disrupted, and the usual delightful Discworld hijinks ensue. But there's a short bit near the end (this isn't a spoiler, I think) where Death addresses the value of those beliefs in Santa and so on: he says, roughly, that humans needs to believe in small things so that they can believe in *big* things: like truth, justice, mercy, compassion, and so on.
Wait, though: surely, something like justice isn't a form of belief comparable to believing in the tooth fairy, right?
Death says, no: again, paraphrasing, he says: take every atom in the universe; rearrange it as you like, crush it down, analyze it as you like, and you will not find anything, anywhere, in those atoms that is "justice". Or truth, or hope. To be human is have beliefs in things like truth, or money, or love -- and ultimately, having *those* beliefs isn't so different from having beliefs in Santa, or a monster in your closet, or that the lottery ticket you're about to buy is going to be the big winner...
The difference is that some of those beliefs are more important than others. For some it's fine to stop believing in them. But they are all beliefs.
The Hogfather is the Discworld's Santa Claus. Children believe in him, and the tooth fairy, and the boogie man, and so on.
In this story, those beliefs are...disrupted, and the usual delightful Discworld hijinks ensue. But there's a short bit near the end (this isn't a spoiler, I think) where Death addresses the value of those beliefs in Santa and so on: he says, roughly, that humans needs to believe in small things so that they can believe in *big* things: like truth, justice, mercy, compassion, and so on.
Wait, though: surely, something like justice isn't a form of belief comparable to believing in the tooth fairy, right?
Death says, no: again, paraphrasing, he says: take every atom in the universe; rearrange it as you like, crush it down, analyze it as you like, and you will not find anything, anywhere, in those atoms that is "justice". Or truth, or hope. To be human is have beliefs in things like truth, or money, or love -- and ultimately, having *those* beliefs isn't so different from having beliefs in Santa, or a monster in your closet, or that the lottery ticket you're about to buy is going to be the big winner...
The difference is that some of those beliefs are more important than others. For some it's fine to stop believing in them. But they are all beliefs.
Absolute love my man sir. Terry Pratchett for writing the character that is Mister Tea Time!!
Kuigi võlurid seiklesid kaasas ka varasemates Death raamatutes, siis see oli hetk, kui nende jaburused mulle meeldima hakkasid.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
medium-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:
No