So I just read Terry Pratchett’s Reaper Man, and, damnit, I cried.
Not really crying, but just sort of a few tears here and there. It started when Death went to visit Miss Flintsworth for the last time and then got heavier as he dropped her off at her Final Destination. It let up during the Wizard’s comedy relief, but came back when Windle Poon finally meets Death. Terry Pratchett’s such a great writer. I’m going to read his collaberative work, Good Omens, next followed by The Last Continent. I can’t wait!
I agree, Terry Pratchett is an excellent writer. Your reaction to the end of Reaper Man shows that he’s not just good at humor, but he’s capable of much more. I never get tired of re-reading his books because I always seem to pick up something I missed before.
“WHAT CAN THE HARVEST HOPE FOR, IF NOT FOR THE CARE OF THE REAPER MAN?”
I’m with you though CadburyAngel - Night Watch is my favourite Prattchett up until i read that i never thought that anything could (in my mind) beat Jingo.
I second Night Watch. Jeez, it’s mostly SERIOUS, it’s got Vimes coming out the ears, and it’s a great story. And as a bonus, it’s got quite a bit on Vetinari, who’s one of my favorite characters. One of my favorite books.
I love Night Watch. I just finished the Guards series- I’ve been reading them all out of order. I like his later stuff better than the earlier ones, but that may be because I’m in love with Vetinari and maybe Commander Vimes as well. And Death.
I think the only one I’ve got left to read is Moving Pictures.
William’s in Monstrous Regiment? You made my day. The Truth is my favorite book writing wise, and I was hoping the newspaper would become a permanent feature of Ankh-Morpork. I love how the guards, the wizards, the beggars, all become a part of the city that adds to its variety and depth.
I love PTerry, though he has a knack for killing off minor characters I like and saying things I wanted to say before I can say them and much better than I would have.
Especially the swearing. My god, I lose it every time he takes a picture. I think the only time I laughed more is when Colon slips and calls the Librarian a monkey in one of the Watch books.
I would urge all of the novice Pterry-ophiles to read the thematic novels in order. It doesn’t spoil the books reading them out of order, but it does bring some depth into the characters – their maturation, if you will.
I also enjoy reading them aloud to Eiren de xiao. Pterry rarely has a sentance that doesn’t flow effortlessly. If he had more artsy topics, he would be more accalimed, but less loved and poorer.
I enjoy the guards novels prob the best. Feet of clay makes me feel good.
I agree, Otto’s cameo appearance is one of the coolest things in MR. I wasn’t expecting William and Otto at all, but it makes perfect sense if you think about it.
xiao_wenti, how do you deal with footnotes when reading Pterry aloud?
