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robotswithpersonality 's review for:
Small Gods
by Terry Pratchett
A remarkable novel that does not need any connection to the Discworld series to make it so. It seems clear that Pratchett set out to have a clear-eyed discussion about religion, with a minor detour into classical philosophy, and on those points alone it's an incredible book.
I'm glad it's been long enough since my original read for me to forget the ending because it got to me probably as much as it did the first time.
I can only approach this book from my own perspective as an atheistic reader, but it might have other things to offer those with a spiritual tradition.
Unsurprisingly, this book works because of some Pratchett gold standards: excellent character work (the evolutions of Om and Brutha are marvelous), deadly serious yet often wryly worded tackling of darker subject matter, which doesn't mean there can't be puns and disgruntled penguin goddess avatars, and a few moments spared to remember the importance of libraries, and just how stupid war is.
I could go into more detail about how well Pratchett lays out the arguments around organized religion, the nature and value of faith, but I don't think there's a substitute for reading the book, even if there may be moments where you wish things would go faster (hint: that's probably when you should slow down and think about it more).
Don't take my word for it, go read it!
⚠️torture, mention of slavery
I'm glad it's been long enough since my original read for me to forget the ending because it got to me probably as much as it did the first time.
I can only approach this book from my own perspective as an atheistic reader, but it might have other things to offer those with a spiritual tradition.
Unsurprisingly, this book works because of some Pratchett gold standards: excellent character work (the evolutions of Om and Brutha are marvelous), deadly serious yet often wryly worded tackling of darker subject matter, which doesn't mean there can't be puns and disgruntled penguin goddess avatars, and a few moments spared to remember the importance of libraries, and just how stupid war is.
I could go into more detail about how well Pratchett lays out the arguments around organized religion, the nature and value of faith, but I don't think there's a substitute for reading the book, even if there may be moments where you wish things would go faster (hint: that's probably when you should slow down and think about it more).
Don't take my word for it, go read it!
⚠️torture, mention of slavery