There are no inconsistencies in the Discworld books; ocassionally, however, there are alternate pasts.
–Terry Pratchett, at alt-fan-pratchett
The books covered so far!
Small Gods
Another Granny Weatherwax novel, and really well executed: the depiction of the elves really skewers the whole fantasy trope of elves-as-superhumanly-wise-beautiful-etc.-creatures, and this really gives Granny an opportunity to have free rein.
And, as a bonus, this marks the introduction of Agnes “who calls herself Perditax” Nitt. (Notice the same theme of the protagonist trying to fit in among a circle of fellow ‘outcasts’ occurs again with Tiffany Aching in A Hat Full of Sky).
One of the best Discworld books, IMHO. Thoughts?
“The Monks of Cool, whose tiny and exclusive monastery is hidden in a really cool and laid-back valley in the lower Ramtops, have a passing-out test for a novice. He is taken into a room full of all types of clothing and asked: Yo, my son, which of these is the most stylish thing to wear? And the correct answer is: Hey, whatever I select.”
One of my favourites, for its skewering of the happy-elves-and-pretty-unicorns-and-pixies fantasy tropes, for the Nac Mac Feegle, for the great (again - see Wyrd Sisters) use of Shakespeare as inspiration (and Midsummer Night’s Dream is my favourite!). Elves as cats, and elves as aliens - wonderful!
My favourite scene is the witches’ duel, especially the conclusion.
I liked the skewering of the elven cliches, but since I was never really big on elves anyway, it didn’t strike me more as an interesting twist.
I do like the reunion between Granny and Ridcully – insightful and captivating without descending into saccharine sentimentality (not that Granny was ever the kind of person for that sort of stuff ). And watching Magrat momentarily kick arse was a stand-up-and-cheer moment for me. Bring back Queen Ynci!
“Let’s go right” said Jason
“Nah, it’s all briars and thorns that way”
“All right, then, left then”
“It’s all winding” said Weaver
“What about the middle road?” said Carter
Jason peered ahead.
There was a middle track, hardly more than an animal path, which wound away under shady trees. Ferns grew thickly alongside it.
I like it* a lot. The elves are really creepy, it’s nicely paced and even if Magrat is less of a wet hen, I can see why Pterry was phasing her out and starting to establish Agnes as the third witch. Agnes is a lot more interesting. It’s a bit sad that he seems to have discontinued the witches, apart from being supporting cast to Tiffany Aching (who I find not to be a very interesting character).
I will risk being admonished for reviving a sinking thread to say, this is the book that confirmed my love for the Witches. I found the City Watch stories to be much easier to love, but this one convinced me that this storyline is just as wonderful. And made me snatch up all the subsequent books related to these characters.
One of the better ones in the middle canon. The Witches all get a turn at cementing their places in the Universe, and each gets some more depth trowled on to their characters.
Plus, you get Greebo.
In fact, the mere act of opening the box will determine the state of the cat, although in this case there were three determinate states the cat could be in: these being Alive, Dead, and Bloody Furious.
Originally Posted by Boulter’s Canary
And all the references to 70’s folk-rock:
The one I quoted refers to ‘Thomas the Rhymer’, Steeleye Span’s version:
Do you see the right hand path so thick beset with thorns and briars?
That is the road to rightiousness though after it but few enquires
And do you see the left hand road that winds across the lily leven?
That is the road to wickedness though some call it the road to heaven
And do you see the middle road that lies across the ferny brae?
That is the road to fair elf-land where you and I this night will go.
PTerry has made many references to folk songs over the years. Over at alt.fan.pratchett it was a game to try and guess Pterry’s music collection based on what he put into his books. Steeleye Span must be well represented.
Since we’re not there, yet, I have a question that’s been killing me since I listened to Maskerade.
What killed the ghost? Best I can figure, he stumbled into Nanny Ogg during the sword fight, and she shivv’d him. On the one hand, I can totally see her doing it, but on the other hand I can’t see her doing it. You know?
Sorry, but it’s annoying me enough I can’t wait however long it is till the next thread.
She didn’t. He thought he had been stabbed (and indeed he had, in the operatic sense), and opera was still so much a part of him, despite his disgust for it, that the damage was made real psychologically. In a way, he died of shock, and I think this is somewhat similar to (warning: Thud! spoiler in next box)
Night Watch-related:what Bashfulsson did at the end- “It is like using an axe, but without an axe.”
). And watching Magrat momentarily kick arse was a stand-up-and-cheer moment for me. Bring back Queen Ynci!