Tony Robinson Books

I tossed this one back in my TBR pile after my son read it to give me an excuse to re-read. I hadn't forgotten how much I enjoyed this first Death book, and hadn't really forgotten the details either, but it was wonderfully fun revisiting it.

The basic premise, for anyone who hasn't read the Discworld books, is that Death takes an apprentice, Mort. This is where we learn of the theory behind Death's job, and his affection for kittens, as well as his curiosity about and inability to understand humans, particularly that emotion stuff.

Mort, unsurprisingly, makes a bit of a mess of things, and his attempts to fix it just make things worse. There's some interesting (and hilarious, of course--nobody missed the memo on that, right? Terry Pratchett = very, very funny unless otherwise indicated) theory about destiny and what happens when you mess with it, and also about the nature of history.

Mort's one of the earlier Discworld books, and it shows, because it's not nearly as complex as later ones, but it's got the serious bones overlaid with fantasy and humor that's common to the whole series.

It's also a very good introduction to the series, better, I think, than the first, Rincewind books. It's short, uncomplicated, and doesn't draw on knowledge or events from previous books. And did I mention it's funny? I'm incapable of reading a Pratchett book if there's anyone within shouting distance without reading lines aloud to them.

I loved the novel and I think I like this play even more!
My year 12s are looking for a play to perform and I wasn't sure that this play would be suitable but I'm very pleased that it is. We only have 10 actors but I think with a combination of live action and cinematic theatre we will be able to stage it. That's what I love about Stephen Briggs' adaptations: they are so simple and easy to work with! (NB Performance rights are also very reasonably priced!)
Play has a cast of 24 but many are very small parts. Written in a style that is very easy to stage. Retains the discworld flavour without needing a prior knowledge of discworld to enjoy it!

This book is hilarious! Like all of Pratchett's books, it has that deadpan British humor. In my opinion, the books which involve the Grim Reaper are the funniest, and "Mort" is one of the best.

Death:mort, do you know why i asked you to clean the stable?
Mort:(thinking)... becuse they were dirty?
Death:yes.

some of the best moments in the discworld series can be found in this book. a real masterpiece.

To people who have never read a Discworld novel, I always recommend they skip the first three novels (The Colour of Magic, The Light Fantastic, Equal Rites)and start with Mort. Pratchett writes the Discworld novels as a series of threads with a small collection of one-off novels. The novels are not written in chronological order. He may do a sequel to one novel and then some time later do a sequel to an earlier novel.

Mort starts what I call the Death thread and my daughter calls the Susan thread, Susan (Death's Granddaughter) being her favorite character. It continues with Reaper Man, Soul Music, Hogfather, and Thief of Time. Although the events of these novels interact with the events in his other Discworld novels, (Thief of Time, for instance sets up the events in Night Watch) it is not necessary to have read the others to enjoy these. Nor (I stress this) is it necessary, or even desirable, to read the novels in published order.

Why skip the first three published novels? In my opinion, Pratchett started out writing mediocre parody of other fantasy authors, (Fritz Leiber, Anne McCaffrey, Robert E. Howard, among others) but then, something really clicked with Mort - starting out as a parody of Death Takes a Holiday, it takes an abrupt turn and becomes something truly original and compelling -- funny, sad, silly, and truly suspenseful. The Discworld novels after Mort, with only a couple exceptions, got better and better until Pratchett reached his peak with Night Watch, a novel which transcends fantasy and becomes Literature.

If you must know what happens in the first two novels, see the movie The Colour of Magic released early 2008 on British television, which covers both books. The movie is better than the books. :-)

Mort -- Highly recommended, and the start of a journey you will enjoy immensely.

A friend suggested after I reviewed Douglas Adams' Dirk Gently books that I should give "Going Postal" by Terry Pratchett a try. So since I was at the bookstore with nothing else on my reading list, I decided to give it a try. And I was not disappointed. Pratchett's humorous take on fantasy was just what I was looking for after devouring Adams' "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series with its hilarious take on sci-fi.

"Going Postal" is actually the thirty-third entry in Pratchett's Discworld series according to Wikipedia. You might think starting with the thirty-third book in a series is a bad idea, but it's not really a sequel to its thirty-two predecessors, just another book set in the same world. In this case a flat world carried around by elephants on the back of an enormous turtle.

Right, so the book begins with Moist von Lipwig (his real name) being hung for various misdeeds committed throughout his long career as a con artist. But Moist does not die. Instead, he's offered by the local tyrant Lord Veniteri the job of running the decrepit post office system in the metropolis of Ankh-Morpork. Since the alternative is death, Moist takes the job as postmaster.

He soon discovers that death might have been preferable because the post office is a complete mess. Mail has been piled up to the point that most of the building in inaccessible. All the post office workers have fled except for "junior" postman Groat (who is an old man) and his dim-witted, pin-collecting sidekick Stanley--and Mr. Tiddles the cat. Much of the post office's decline is due to the new communicatins system known as "the clacks" which are towers using a sort of Morse code to send messages all over the Discworld in hours. With such instant communication possible, who needs to send a letter?

After Moist's attempt to escape from this job is thwarted by his golem bodyguard Mr. Pump, Moist decides to face up to the challenge of making the post office competitive. Falling back on his years as a con artist, Moist begins to generate public excitement by introducing a new invention called stamps. And wouldn't you know it, soon people are collecting these stamps, including Stanley. Moist's efforts are aided by saboteurs who want to shut down the clacks to put the greedy bankers who bought the clacks system from its naive inventors out of business.

As the post office begins to succeed, Moist expands his operations by hiring more golem workers from the very inappropriately-named Miss Adora Belle Dearheart. In typical fashion for this kind of story, Moist falls in love with Miss Dearheart and begins to take his post office job seriously. But the greedy owners of the clacks don't like competition and will do anything to put Moist out of commission for good.

This really is a very fun read and its messages about technology and corporate greed are pretty much pulled from today's headlines. What makes the book so great to read is that there is a serious message, but the story itself is never told in such a serious way to make it a drag. So you can have a good time and a few laughs and also learn a few things. What else could you ask for from a book? Well, there are one or two things, but let's not be too picky.

Given this is the first one of nearly forty in the series I've read I won't make too many generalizations about the series or any of that. If you want more background on that, go read the Wikipedia page on Discworld or I'm sure there are various groups, message boards, and websites around the Internet to help you. In the meantime I'm going to read a few more of these because this one really hit the spot.

That is all.

The part I like best in this edition: Stephen Briggs doing Reacher Gilt, that pirate of industry, sounds EXACTLY like Johnny Depp playing Jack Sparrow.

I've read all the Discworld books up to this one. This isn't one of the best, but the story is still worth a read and Pratchett's word mastery is always present.

Taking some more recent themes of hacking/cracking and telecommunications makes it a little more enticing to someone who likes technology. However, these particular topics are somewhat obvious, no great insights here.

Good read if you like Discworld, but don't expect a great one.

Although only my second foray into Mr. Pratchett's Disc World series, GOING POSTAL has enough wit, interest, and modern day parables to make it a read worth anyone's while.

My first introduction was with Thud! A tremendous achievement, THUD! had enough quirks in terms of setting and characters to make it a thoroughly enjoyable read (I gave it 5 stars). And although Going Postal can claim its own level of quirkiness, it doesn't quite measure up to my first experience.

Equal parts comedy, fantasy, and crime-drama, Going Postal takes its lead from our current day use of email over the post office. But in the city of Ankh-Morpork, this is taken to an entirely new level. When Moist von Lipwig (don't ask) is given the option of death versus government service as the new postmaster, he has to think about it; that's how bad it might be. But enjoying a heartbeat and being able to breath, Moist accepts the new job only to find out that he has to compete with the Yahoo/Google masters of electronic communications known as the "clacks" which is a series of digital/semaphore towers run by the corrupt Grand Trunk Company.

But trying to get the post office sorted out is a job in itself. The use of old mailmen, stolen equipment, wizards, and a seemingly magical golden suit all hold sway within the postal walls. Oh, and so do tons and tons ...and tons of undelivered mail. So much mail, in fact, that it can talk. Words have power and unless they are delivered to the appropriate address, they may very well drive you mad.

Moist, having been a criminal himself, uses his skills to further the post office. And finding that he actually likes helping people comes as a shock! His first delivered letter helps bring two old lovers together and launches him on a path of destroying the man he once was.

Fires, Golems, vampires, and geeks all aid or damage Moist's hopes for a future postal service that city-dwellers can depend on. And love between Moist and a tough reporter might also blossom, given enough time.

This isn't your standard fiction fodder for those not-in-the-Pratchett-know. But it is fun reading. Light enough to lift spirits, but dense enough to keep your interest and make you think, Going Postal might have you licking stamps instead of clicking send the next time you communicate with friends or family.

This book is written well enough that at times you forget its a comedy. The characters are real and the situation is interesting. However, it is definitely a comedy and a good one as well. Its a short book and an easy read.

i read this book while i was in colledge i loved it best book ever

'The Light Fantastic' is the second in the 'Discworld' series. It is a direct sequel to 'The Colour of Magic'. 'The Light Fantastic is a definitely an improvement over the previous book , in that it is a complete story, rather than a series of interrelated stories as the first one was. We follow the adventures of Rincewind and Twoflower and meet Cohen the Barbarian, the Discworld's greatest hero. Pratchett's humour and wit result in a fun story that is compulsively readable.

I loved this book as much as I did The color of magic. Since these two, I started reading everything I can get from the author and never got disapointed.
Like the first one, it finds a way to write fantasy which can be read in various levels according to your age and familiarity with the genre. Somehow it is at the same time serious, self-mocking and critical of our society.
Great book

The Light Fantastic picks up exactly where the previous book (The Color of Magic) left off. Unsurprisingly, the same sort of whimsical style and dry, witty humor are prevalent in this story. However, I found it much more enjoyable than the first, primarily because there seemed to be at least SOME kind of threat to overcome.

Unfortunately, I still found it difficult to really get immersed in the world and the characters. Even though I appreciated the humor and the general storyline, I still found it "easy to set down." However, given that I liked this better than the first, I will continue reading a few more Discworld books, in hopes that the humor remains and the issues that I have thus far are resolved later in the series.

What can I say? This series is older than I am but I love it. Again Rincewind the wiz(z)ard and Twoflower (the discworlds first ever tourist) embark on an adventure (well,actually they fall off the Disc) involving the highly dangerous Octavo( said to be left behind by the slightly forgetful Creator) and the mysterious red star that is coming closer and closer to the Discworld. I can't tell you anymore without spoiling it for you but if you have a sense of humour and a taste for fantasy this is the book for you.

Interesting, what comes to mind when you link those two titles together, no? :)

Thud brings back Sam Vimes, who is one of my favorites. He seems to have matured quite a bit in this tale and much of the book revolves around him taking care of family responsibilities. Namely, reading "Where's My Cow?" to his son. A good bit of the hilarity in the book is derived from his efforts to get home and read the book - how many of us with kids can relate to that?!!

The true plot line has been described plenty. My thoughts are that this is a pretty standard and fair representation of Mr. Pratchett's style and if you loved the others, you will definitely love this one (maybe even develop a deeper appreciation for trolls - oh wait... maybe that was yesterday!!)

Definitely not the first book in the series you should pick up. Way too many inside jokes!

Bottom line: If you like Terry Pratchett - this book will fit the bill nicely, I highly recomend!

All the best,

Jay

Thud! by Terry Pratchett starts as a case of murder, but the case is emotionally charged by politics. A prominent dwarf leader in Ankh-Morpork has been murdered, and because a troll club was left there, almost all the dwarves assume a troll did it.

A little backstory for the book: Ever since the Battle of Koom Valley, dwarves and trolls have been at war. No one knows who attacked first. The dwarves say the trolls did, and vice versa. Every time a troll slighted a dwarf or vice versa, it was like a repeat of Koom Valley. The real truth of this battle is part of the plot, and the truth revealed at the end is satisfying.

The main character, Sam Vimes, is the commander of the City Watch and the Duke of Ankh-Morpork (although he hates being called "Your Grace"). We see Vimes's inner emotions and the conflict he faces, especially near the end. Vimes is fleshed out enough that he could exist as a real person.

Terry Pratchett as usual employs his sense of humor, although I feel he could have added a few more funny parts at points. However, where there is humor, it is excellent for those who like somewhat sarcastic, dry humor. Some of the characters are endearingly quirky, such as Nobby Nobbs.

With its excellent plot, characters, and humor, I recommend this book to anyone who can read.

It's almost time for the anniversary of the Battle of Koom Valley and this time it seems as if the battle, which keeps getting fought over and over again, is going to erupt in the streets of the largest city of Discworld, Ankh-Morpork.

The ever vigilant Commander of the City Watch, Sam Vimes, is not going to stand for that, because it might keep him from his daily appointment. Every evening, at 6pm sharp, he has to be home to read to his infant son, Sam the second.

Magical devices, devious murders, stoned trolls and a stolen painting are not enough to keep Sam from his fatherly duty. This is another romp through Discworld, where plain Sam Vimes takes on his largest villain yet.

Most fantasy series are exhausted well before 31 books. The fact that the Discworld series seems fresher, funnier, darker and edgier than ever testifies to Pratchett's willingness to risk one of his favorite characters by allowing him to change, grow into new roles and tackle ever larger challenges. Highly recommended.

Terry Pratchett fills his books with comedy, drama, satire, and the occasional odd sort of romance. He is funny, witty, and no matter how well read you are you will probably not catch all of the subtle references to midieval through modern culture. There is something for everyone to appreciate. This book in particular is about the city watch, which is my favorite set of characters that he writes on.

Terry Practhett is one of my all time favourite writers, I've bought every book he's written since Mort and usually make sure to get them in hardcover. However I'm just not that impressed with Thud (or Going Postal for that matter). Over his last several books Pratchett seems to have dropped his previous tendency to rotate characters and scenarios, and bar Thief of Time and Monstrous Regiment, hasn't set a book beyond the borders of Ankh Morkpork in almost a decade.

This would be all very good and well if Pratchett hadn't decided to invest his personal philosophy in the situations his characters encounter in Ankh Morpork. More often than not I have felt like Pratchett's work is attempting to push a philsophical, ethical position and amounts to an amusing attempt to proselytize. As a result, humour takes a back seat to Pratchett's attempts to make points about the real world using the Discworld. After a while this becomes as annoying and patronising, and has the effect of blunting the edge of Pratchett's usually keen wit.

Personally I feel Pratchett hit his peak between Wyrd Sisters and Carpe Jugulum. The earlier work is like silly intellectual scattershot, and the more recent stuff is, quite frankly, rather flat. Perhaps if Pratchett wasn't being forced to knock out two books a year he could return to his previous levels of inspiration. Of course the very fact that I can only rate Pratchett against his own work is a testament to his genius, it's just I feel rather sad that I no longer feel the instant urge to buy a Discworld novel when I see it on the new arrivals shelf of my local bookstore.

Not one of his _very_ best, but as a meditation on the first Gulf War and all subsequent ones, you could hardly find anything more digestible. Vimes and the Patrician are in their elements, and Pratchett's incredibly decent, non-glib humane sympathy for the Other is in good form.

Also it's fun. Leonard of Quirm is delightful.

What a fun read! This one had everything you'd expect from Pratchett: it's well written, quite funny (especially if you're already familiar with the series) and offers up some interesting insights into various things, especially xenophobic jingoism. I got a hoot out of the parody references to Oswald/JFK, too, so the book gets extra marks.

I will say that if you're looking for a brainless beach-reader, get some SPF20 because Jingo will probably cause you to get sunburned from actually paying attention to it: there are multiple interconnected sub-plots you have to follow. Plus, there's fare to actually *think* about. A couple previous reviewers felt that the anti-militaristic commentary in this was too heavy-handed for their taste, though I kind of suspect said reviewers were jingoists themselves who just didn't *agree* with Pratchett's view. I mention all this mostly as a caveat to potential readers: if you're turned off by such things, you might want to pass on this one. It'll be your loss, though.

Highly recommended.

I've read the first 21 books, and this has stood out as one of the best I can remember. This includes a bit more action than the other books. I won't say much more, as most of the other reviews cover everything else.

I have to say... the back of the book didn't do much to raise my hopes on the subject matter addressed in this book... but the book more than did credit to Pratchett... quite funny and decent characters... I think I liked the son the best... but definitely readable and funny.

Among Discworld fans, it's a well-known rule that you musn't read his stuff on the bus. People tend to regard as strange those among their fellow passengers who giggle as they read. Giggling is always a hazard with Pratchett, as is interrupting other people's activities and forcing them to listen to you reading a passage out loud. This one features Commander Sam Vimes and Vetinari the Patrician, two of my favorite recurring characters, as they try to deal (each in his characteristic way) with a territorial dispute that wants to become a war. Klatch, only a short distance across the sea, is a sandy country full of turban-wearing camel-riders who also invented astronomy and vindaloo, which gives the author lots of opportunities to show up rampant nationalism for the insanity it is. (I suspect he was thinking of the First Gulf War here, as well as British attitudes toward immigrant Pakistanis, but there is also considerable relevance to the present war in Iraq.) Vimes vehemently resists being a military man (cops are NOT the same as soldiers) but finds himself involved anyway. And Vetinari has no use for the social and economic waste of war. Plus, there's the political sub-plot, and Corp. Nobbs's search for a lady friend of his own, plus the questionable ability of Leonard of Quirm (inventor and artist extraordinaire) to deal with the so-called Real World. Pratchett is a genius of comedy -- in the sense of the Human Comedy.

This was my first, and accidental, entry into discworld. And while I acknowledged the cleverness of the idea I found the writing fairly ordinary, even sophomoric at times. In a way it reminded me of a cheap combination of the writing of two masters of the bizarre, Tom Sharpe and Douglas Adams. Using my standard criteria of book review; would I take it on a transatlantic plane journey? I find the answer is no.

If you aren't prepared to read satire about Christmas, do not read this book. Also, don't read this book if you haven't read two of the earlier books in the Discworld Death series (Mort and Reaper Man) and possibly Soul Music as the story will lose a lot of impact if you are not familiar with the characters. However, if you do want a to read a satire of Christmas and have read the books mentioned above, then you will find Hogfather to be a Terry Pratchett classic. Be prepared to find the assassin Teatime totally repulsive (although you have to admire someone who likes their work) and to cheer the hero Susan. I couldn't help feeling, however, that there were a lot of references to the British way of celebrating Christmas that I didn't get. Nonetheless Hogfather was well worth the read.

I gave a few of this book out as Christmas presents and it's a good thing I got them early enough because I opened one to read a few pages and had to finish it. A fun, witty, and thoughtfully written book. Skyone did a good job on the TV movie (CD out in March 08) but, as usual, the book is better for its detail, pace, and completed thoughts; I'll be stocking up on the CD though, for next Christmas. A good read anytime, but I'm trying to start a fun family Hogswatch tradition.

I know this is one of the most popular and highly-regarded of Pratchett's Discworld novels, but I can't decide whether that's despite or because of the fact that the plot is so difficult to get a handle on in the first two-thirds of the book. The Hogfather is more or equivalent to our Father Christmas, but with more explicit ties to Paleolithic religious beliefs. And the four huge hogs that pull his sleigh through the skies on Hogswatch Night are a far cry from Donder and Blitzen. But this year, the Hogfather is strangely missing and Death decides to takes his place, temporarily, in order to uphold people's belief in him. Why is the not-so-jolly figure in red missing? Well, that comes back to the felonious plans of Mr. Teatime, a extremely bent assassin whom even the Guild of Assassins aren't thrilled about. The other major player is Death's adopted granddaughter, Susan -- a genuine duchess working as a governess -- who has special powers that will come in very handy. Plus, there are the wizards of Unseen University, a thinking semi-machine called Hex, the Death of Rats, Medium Dave Lilywhite and his brother, Banjo, and a raven with a fixation on eyeballs. As always, there are some truly hilarious scenes, such as Death/Hogfather at the mall, giving children (and Corporal Nobby Nobbs) what they actually want for Hogswatch. Not one of Pratchett's best, but even his less successful efforts are way ahead of most writers' best.

This is probably the low end of anything he has written before or since.
I've read the more recent ones, and some were quite funny, and if not just as much as the former, at least they were more intense and profound.
But everything he wrote from about a year former or later to "The Hogfather"
should be buried and forgotten.
God blees Terry Pratchett. He's given me such laughs. But not here.

I really enjoy Terry Pratchett's series about DiscWorld. This is one of the better books in the series. However, you need to have read some of the series in order to get all the little things about the different characters. The only bad thing about this book is that I don't really like the whole time travel concept of it. I liked seeing the characters when Sam Vimes is just starting out and is young and impressionable, but I didn't like having to go back in time and pretend to be someone else to do it. I love how Mr. Pratchett takes what's going on in our world today and gets his characters to make fun of and make statements about it. I really loved his social commentary about rebellions and political changes, not to mention how when a new man comes into an organization and slowly takes it over. I just find his series revealing about how others may see us and how we do what we do. How funny it really sounds to others. I would highly recommend this book to others who have read the series. If you haven't started the series then you definitely need to get on it.

This is my favorite book in the City Watch book and quite possibly my favorite book in the entire Discworld series. It gives you a little more background on some of the main characters(Vimes, Colon, Nobby, and even Vetinari)and makes for a thrilling read. Read it! I command you!

Being a prison guard (no, not like the ones in this book, a REAL one) I find great comfort in Sam Vimes. Moralistic humor, nice twisty view of the world, yet always trying to do right - even to himself. This book has gotten me through hard times when I needed to be reminded to be true to myself, to do what I know is right, to look to the greater picture. I adore Terry Pratchett's view and agree wholeheartedly with it. Acceptance that people are who they are, but we need to be who we need to be also. I believe all his books are quite readable, enjoyable. I am currently in the process of reading the entire discworld series in chronological order and am impressed to watch not only the characters grow, but the author also. Thank you sooooo much Mr. Pratchett! Not only are your books entertaining, but provide the view more of us need to see the world through.

I tried to read this novel as my first Discworld novel many moons ago. I couldn't get into it. Having now read all of its precursors the book is FABULOUS. It will stand up as probably one of my favorite all time Discworld books (and let's face it they are my favorite books period). I love Vimes and the City Watch so that helps. This is, in addition to the standard humor, a really touching story. (yes, I used that description about a Discworld novel. really.) The lead up to the end is not quite satisfactory, but I've realized that when humor is the primary purpose the plot will, unfortunately, have to serve the humor rather than itself... and anyone complaining about holes in a story about a world revolving on the back of a turtle (not forgetting about the elephants as well) probably needs to take a harder look at their expectations.

Night Watch is my favorite book in Pratchett's Discworld series. It's definitely not, however, the book you want to read first in this series. As it's a time travel book, too many of the giggles for it come from seeing the many characters you know in the current-day city of Ankh Morpork as they were years before.

It's a book that deals much more heavily with morality, humanity (or whatever you would call it that also includes trolls, dwarves, etc.), and doing the right thing when authority or fear says you shouldn't. It also deals with loss and sacrifice. It's much more poignant than previous (and later) books in the series, and the laughs are much more subtle. I still managed to chuckle and laugh and enjoy myself while being emotionally moved, however.

If you're a fan of Commander Vimes and his world view, this should be another good book for you.

So it's not as flat-out funny as other Discworld books, but sometimes a change of pace is a good thing. However, if you're just starting the series, make sure you read at least Guards Guards and Men at Arms before you get to Night Watch. (The more books, the better your appreciation as you'll know more characters and enjoy seeing the changes or origins.)

You will read one book in his series and love it and you will read a second book and like it a lot but by the time you get to the third book weather it is "Feet of Clay" or some other book you will have trouble keeping the story lines separate in your mind.

Overall-What you will get in the end is a Chinese food feeling; a book that is and great funny but it is so great and funny that you will remember the humor and word play and not the actual story. Terry Pratchett is a great author and his current situation is a tragedy but that is the way I see it.

sam vimes.
carrot.
anagua.
nobby nobs.
colon.
gaspod.
detritos.
and more new guards to join the fun. some of the most bizzare and funny moments in the series.the fantasy version of a robot revolution.
when i finishd this book, my face hurt from a constant loughter.
terry is a god.

Terry Pratchett's humor is a little strained in this Discworld novel, but I found myself following these characters as though they were real -- not my usual experience in Discworld! Not that the setting is realistic, but the story, with golems and gender-confused dwarves, is underlaid with an exploration of autonomy and humanity that's surprisingly ripe with philosophy. I didn't love the book, but I liked it.

It is a nice read, but not really memorable.
I liked it, as it features my favourite character, Carrot but it is not as funny as some other books in the series (like e.g. Guards! Guards!).

It features golems, witch makes this book interesting, though the readers do not get a chance to "see into their heads" up until the end of the book, unlike in Going Postal.

I would recommend this book to fans of the Night Watch, or the Disworld fans who would like to read all the books, but this is not a good starting point, its just not funny enough or does not have concepts deep enough to pull the uninitiated Pratchett reader into reading all the books they can get their hands on.

Has anyone else noticed this? Thomas Pynchon and Terry Pratchett are the same guy! Their concerns are the same, their love of humanity, their understanding of the need for hope and compassion; their delicious word-play is the same. It's the same guy!
Pynchon took 11 years to write his masterpiece, "Against the Day." Why? Because he was ALSO writing a Discworld novel every year. Pynchon is notoriously reclusive, and now we know why! He's really Terry Pratchett.
This is a great novel: touching, hopeful, kind, funny, wise. One of Pratchett's very best, and that means one of the best novels of our time. But why would we expect any less of Pynchon?
I once wondered which of these two authors would win a Nobel prize first. And now I know: both of them, at the same time.

What can I really say about this? I re-read it because my older son's been reading them, and when he finishes one, I stick it in my TBR pile to re-read, the TBR pile being so huge that I need an excuse to re-read anything.

DEATH's got too much of a personality, so The Powers That Be fire him. While he's off finding a new job and a new identity as farm hand Bill Door, his job is being left undone on the Discworld, leading to all kinds of problems.

One of those problems is Wizard Windle Poons. Wizards know when their time is up, and DEATH comes personally to collect them. The wizards at the Unseen University have thrown a farewell party for old Windle, but the time comes and goes, and, well, Windle doesn't.

To say that hilarity ensues would be putting it mildly. It would also be missing a good part of the point. There is incredible hilarity; there's also a large dollop of existentialism and pathos--much about the meaning of life and death, and there's even the poignancy of a relationship between Bill Door and his employer, aged spinster Miss Flitwick.

Reaper Man is one of the earlier books in the Discworld series--the 2nd in the DEATH sub-series, and, I believe, the 11th overall, so it's somewhat less complex than the later books. It's still an amazing, deceptively simple story.

After having read a significant portion of Pratchett's work, my only regret was waiting so long to have read this specific piece. The book as a whole is extremely funny and, barring a few sections, moves very well.

Terry Pratchett was born in 1948 and is one of the most popular authors writing today. He lives behind a keyboard in Wiltshire and says he 'doesn't want to get a life, because it feels as though he's trying to lead three already'. He was appointed OBE in 1998. He is the author of the phenomenally successful Discworld series

There is just no other author about who writes like Terry Pratchett. His humour is second to none. There are one or two writers who are trying to get close to him, but failing miserably.

When the dustbin men or the bus driver's go on strike you know what chaos is caused to the infrastructure of society, so imagine what it must be like when Death goes missing, after all he is probably the Number One Public Service. For all his rough manner, Death is a likeable guy who will be sadly missed.

Death's disappearance is the key to all sort of mayhem and laughter on the Discworld as Terry Pratchett weaves his magic yet again. (Perhaps he went to the Unseen University as well). Anyone who has read a Discworld book will know what to expect in spades. Anyone who hasn't, you don't know what you are missing.

My second foray into Pratchett's nearly 40-some book Discworld series was just as satisfying as the first. Whereas the first time I read one of the author's more recent offerings "Going Postal" this time I tried something a little older with "Reaper Man." The tagline on the cover read "It's no fun when Death takes a holiday" which could be amended to add "--except for readers of this book."

As the title suggests, "Reaper Man" is about Death, both with a capital and lower-case D. Two stories run throughout the book, finally intersecting at the end. The first is about Death--the Grim Reaper in popular parlance--who is being retired by his masters because Death seems to be developing a personality. With typical bureaucratic foresight, Death's masters have no replacement lined up.

The impact of this is told through the story of 130-year-old wizard Windle Poons. After living a long, dull life at Unseen University, Windle is finally ready to go into the Great Beyond. He finally passes away at his retirement party, but soon finds one hitch: no one is there to collect his spirit. With nowhere else to go, Windle returns to his body and becomes a zombie. Not the mindless, shambling, brain-eating zombies of horror movie fame. Instead, Windle finds true mastery of his body for the first time, giving him super strength and super senses and probably a super odor from decay as well.

Meanwhile, Death decides to see the world and ends up in an out of the way mountain village where he goes to work for the ancient spinster Miss Flitworth doing--what else--harvesting with a scythe. For the first time Death discovers what it means to be alive, experiencing both the triumphs and tragedies of mortality.

Back in the metropolis of Ankh-Morpork, strange events are afoot. Without a Death, many other people are having the same trouble as Windle Poon, leading to disastrous consequences. Windle makes friends with a group of the undead that include a vampire, werewolf, and Bogeyman and finds himself at the epicenter of an invasion of snow globes that are the prelude to a far more dangerous enemy.

"Reaper Man" features more of Pratchett's wit and topical humor that make for an easy and fun read even if you're not really into fantasy--like myself. Really, if this book can't make you laugh then you need a funny bone transplant. Yet while it is humorous and fun, there's also a deepness and meaning to it all, which makes it a great book to read on multiple levels. If you can laugh and learn something that's the best of both worlds, right?

The last thirty pages or so of the book I thought were really excellent. It's the kind of ending that makes you want to laugh and cry at the same time. Finding an ending that powerful is pretty rare for me and so makes this book well worth reading.

Next up is "Guards! Guards!" The bar has been raised pretty high here.

That is all.

Reaper Man is the 2nd Death story (after Mort), 10th novel overall, and one of the strongest so far in the Discworld series. Pratchett's unique talents are in full force with Death, an amazingly funny, amusing guy. Reaper Man gets off to a hilarious start with a new set of goofballs, agents of the god Azreal, informing Death that his turn is up. Apparently no matter the (near god-like) occupation or (multi-millennial) tenure, one can be fired and replaced. Such news is not simply a downer for Death; oh no, this unhappy event literally signals his death. For him to die, however, he has to first become alive. He wanders into a corn field and settles down for a day or few as a helping hand for a widow. Life, he finds, is more than he'd imagined. Doesn't take him long to decide that he isn't going to take death lying down.

While Death's learning a few of life's lessons, Discworld is suffering the consequences of his retirement. If a 130 year old wizard--such as the cranky old geezer Windle Poons--kicks off, and Death is not around to move him on, what happens? Zombiehood, that's what (turns out Windle isn't gonna take not dying lying down either). Discworld starts to fill up with extra life (or untended death, which is pretty much the same thing), and the results are a hoot. Some of the later half of Poons' story gets a bit disjointed and silly, but the surrounding cast, from the bumbling wizards to the mildly protesting undead, are well-fleshed out (in spirit, anyway) and laugh-out-loud funny.

The parallel story of Death stays focused and always engaging and funny. And Pratchett goes further with Reaper Man: the conclusion has real substance, providing serious insights with regard to human life and death. Reaper Man is very, very good. Highly recommended.

If you already know Pratchett's books, then you can't go wrong with this one. Sam Vimes and his Night Watch are at it again, this time facing one of man's worst inventions... diplomacy!

Vimes is appointed ambassador and must travel to the dangerous world of Uberwald, inhabited by werewolves, vampires and dwarfs. While applying his special kind of sensitivity to issues like species or upeer class manners, Vimes must also cope with a murder and theft mistery, and a dangerous and lethal enemy.

This one is, in my opinion, one of the best books of the Discworld series. It has everything: mistery, action, violence and, above all, lots and lots of humor. Special mention goes to Sgt. Detritus, the first troll ever to become cultural aggregate.

Absolutely recommendable. However, to fully enjoy it, I would advise to get familiar with the cast of the Night Watch by reading any of their prtevious novels in the series: "Guards, Guards!" "Men at Arms" and "Feet of Clay".

You'll be certainly coming back for more.

I know that many have stated that there had been a decline in Pratchett's writing as time goes on... I personally would have to disagree. There is a change in his writing; however I feel that it has been for the better. As his books have progressed, he has leaned less toward the quick giggle and insane rush of nonsense and more toward a satirical plot with darker edges and the giggles interspersed within the story rather than his jokes running the story.

The Fifth Elephant is one of Pratchett's more plot driven novels, there isn't a giggle or a chortle on every page as with some of his others. I have always liked the Guard's series for this reason, I like a good plot. If you have not read a discworld book before, I wouldn't advise this be your starting place, instead I would start at the beginning of whichever series it is you want to read. This being part of the Guards Series I would start with "Guards Guards" which although it is by no means the strongest entry in the series, it is a good introduction to the lead character of Samuel Vimes and his crew. Each of the following books adds additional characters who become major players in the later books. The characters truly grow through each of the books and I think that having read the previous in the series will increase your enjoyment of this one.

Quick Summary: A strange theft and murder occur in Ankh-Morpork, and just as the Watch is about to investigate, The Patrician sends Vimes and his wife off to Uberwald to attend the coronation of the new Dwarfish Low King as ambassadors. While street hardened Vimes has to start learning about politicking, Angua disappears... and Carrot decides to go after her, unfortunately her trail leads to Uberwald, land of vampires, werewolves, and Dwarves who rarely come to the surface. As Sam Vimes always says - A cop will always find a crime, the origins of the strange crimes in Ankh-Morpork also lead back to Uberwald and the coronation ceremony. Vimes finds himself attempting to not only play politician and ambassador, but also detective to sort out the truth before the Dwarves are thrown into a bloody civil war.

The summary sounds a bit dark doesn't it? Well this, much like "Carpe Jugulum," is a darker more plot driven novel, but the humor is still there. Cheery accompanies Vimes back to her homeland as military attaché and unfortunately her modern ways cause issues amongst the more traditional dwarves of Uberwald. Detrius the Troll attends as the cultural attaché, unfortunately in Uberwald the trolls and dwarves have been at war for over a hundred years... then throw in Angua's noble yet slightly psychotic werewolf family, and a Vampire clan that's on the wagon from drinking human blood... everyone is moving their chess pieces and poor Sam has to figure it all out. Sybil has a much larger roll in this story than in the past, and her personality really begins to develop. This book is funny, full of action, and intrigue... who stole the Scone? Who murdered the prophylactics maker? Where is the fake stone? Who is behind it all? The opposing Dwarves? The Werewolves? The Vampires? Or is it someone from within?

Although I didn't laugh nearly as much during this book, I found myself truly enjoying the read much more than some of the others. If I were to try to tell you what "The Color of Magic" was about... I really couldn't other than to say it was about running away... True, I enjoyed it immensely, but this had a plot, a meaning, and more to learn from, I think this is an excellent addition to the Discworld series.

Admittedly I think it's tied for first with about half a dozen of the other books in the series. Loved this. I particularly like Lady Sybil in this one - she's given a bit more to do and more personality. Cheery is also a good play in this as is Igor (no no not Igor... Igor.) Overall it's great fun. I think if you haven't read much or any of discworld before this would be an acceptable one to read first or early on.

Although I love the Discworld series as a whole, I'm noticing a pattern that the ones I like the least all have Sam Vimes as the central character. I have nothing against Vimes as a character per se, but I'm beginning to suspect that some sort of "Vimes curse" exists: if Pratchett's using him, the book's ultimately going to be a disappointment.

Such was the case with The Fifth Elephant. The book started off promising, but about a third to half way through it seemed to be losing steam. Ironically, the ending seemed to drag on about 20 pages longer than it should have. In between, we have a number of tantalizing ideas that are ultimately left as unexplored red herrings. (I'm reading the series out of order, so I don't know if Pratchett was laying groundwork for future books, or if he just lost interest in them while writing.)

Another big problem I had with this book is that it had a heavy helping of overly-contrived plot convenience. Pratchett's proven that he's creative enough that he could certainly have come up with something better than the Deus Ex Machina that shows up ***a couple of times*** here.

Last gripe: in the beginning, it seems that we are going to have 3 interconnected subplots, but as the story shifts more and more to the Vimes angle, 1 of them (the Carrot/Angua arc) ultimately just becomes an unsatisfying Deus Ex Machina to get Vimes out of trouble at a critical moment, and the other (the Captain Colon arc) ultimately becomes weak comic relief -- which Pratchett (wisely) all but forgets about anyway.

Despite this, Fifth Elephant had a few amusing moments, and helped flesh out the Discworld Milieu. If you're a completionist, by all means give it a go, but remember to keep your expectations reasonable. Pratchett certainly has done better.

Although I couldn't quite get my mind around the idea of a fat mine (created by the fiery crash of the fifth elephant that supported Discworld on top of A'Tuin, the Cosmic Turtle), this fantasy is nevertheless a savoury entry in the Sam Vimes/Night Watch series (in spite of all that fat).

Sam Vimes, Commander of Ankh-Morpork's Night Watch is 'asked' by the city's Patrician (with the approval of Sam's wife, Sybil) to represent the city at the coronation of Uberwald's new dwarf Low King.

The last thing Sam wants to do is dress up in ceremonial tights and gallop off to a country filled with werewolves and vampires, not to mention two sects of battling dwarfs. He's got the murder of a condom manufacturer to solve right in Ankh-Morpork, plus the theft of a replica of the holy Scone of Stone from the Dwarf Bread Museum.

However Lady Sybil thinks her husband needs a vacation, so off they go, tights and all, leaving Captain Carrot Ironfoundersson (a six-foot adopted dwarf) in charge of the Watch. Then Corporal Angua, the only werewolf on the Watch disappears and Captain Carrot resigns to go after her, taking only Gaspode, the talking dog with him.

Sergeant Colon is now acting-Captain of the Watch, much to the dismay of everyone, including himself.

While his beloved Night Watch slides swiftly into an abyss of incompetence in Ankh-Morpork, Sam discovers that being an ambassador is not all champagne and cucumber sandwiches. On his first day in Uberwald's capital city, he becomes both a murder suspect and a participant in the Game--a werewolf version of 'Fox and Hounds'---with himself as the unwilling fox.

The alpha female among the werewolves calls Sam a "nothing...a paper man. A man of straw. An insult." She will have to learn the hard way that she grossly underestimated the new ambassador.

If you'd like to read the Sam Vimes/Night Watch books in order of publication, they are: "Guards! Guards!" (1989); "Men at Arms" (1993); "Feet of Clay" (1996); "Jingo" (1997); "The Fifth Elephant" (2000); "Night Watch" (2002); and "Thud!" (2005).