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A review by ragsofglory
Small Gods by Terry Pratchett
5.0
(Nigel Planer's audiobook version)
After falling down the rabbit hole of which Discworld book to start with (an oddly spiritual journey in itself), I finally landed on Small Gods. Trust me when I say this, I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction.
The book didn’t just meet my expectations, but it completely exceeded them. I did expect some humor and satire going in thanks to all the various influences of Discworld as a series and literally anybody who talks about it. But what I DID NOT expect is how Sir Terry Pratchett takes on organized religion with a level of wit, depth, and such compassion.
He explores belief, power, tradition, and the quiet courage of thinking for yourself, all while making you laugh at the absurdity of it all. Somehow, he makes big ideas feel personal and funny without ever losing their weight.
Some of the lines in this book genuinely changed how I think about writing. You read (or in this case listen) to a line or two and then it just CLICKS. This is how it's supposed to be, you'd feel. Sir Pratchett has a way of delivering wisdom with humor and clarity that hits you when you least expect it. There were moments that made me stop and just appreciate how a single sentence could carry so much.
The last hour of the book was one of the most satisfying and powerful endings I’ve experienced in fiction (so far). It was clever, emotional, and full of tension, all while staying true to the book’s tone. I honestly don’t know how Pratchett could top this. Small Gods didn’t just become my favorite Discworld novel, it made me rethink what a fantasy book can be.
Insightful, hilarious, moving, and unexpectedly profound.
I couldn’t have asked for a better place to start.
After falling down the rabbit hole of which Discworld book to start with (an oddly spiritual journey in itself), I finally landed on Small Gods. Trust me when I say this, I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction.
The book didn’t just meet my expectations, but it completely exceeded them. I did expect some humor and satire going in thanks to all the various influences of Discworld as a series and literally anybody who talks about it. But what I DID NOT expect is how Sir Terry Pratchett takes on organized religion with a level of wit, depth, and such compassion.
He explores belief, power, tradition, and the quiet courage of thinking for yourself, all while making you laugh at the absurdity of it all. Somehow, he makes big ideas feel personal and funny without ever losing their weight.
Some of the lines in this book genuinely changed how I think about writing. You read (or in this case listen) to a line or two and then it just CLICKS. This is how it's supposed to be, you'd feel. Sir Pratchett has a way of delivering wisdom with humor and clarity that hits you when you least expect it. There were moments that made me stop and just appreciate how a single sentence could carry so much.
The last hour of the book was one of the most satisfying and powerful endings I’ve experienced in fiction (so far). It was clever, emotional, and full of tension, all while staying true to the book’s tone. I honestly don’t know how Pratchett could top this. Small Gods didn’t just become my favorite Discworld novel, it made me rethink what a fantasy book can be.
Insightful, hilarious, moving, and unexpectedly profound.
I couldn’t have asked for a better place to start.