A new Pratchett came out yesterday. I bought it today, but i haven’t started reading it yet. I’m torn. I really, really want to start reading it, but the conditions are not perfect - mother dearest is bustling around and is liable to interupt me. A new Pratchett is a (relatively) rare thing and i wish to give it my prime time so i can read it niiiice and sloooow so i don’t miss anything.
Also - if i start to read it, that means i’m closer to finishing it. Dilemmas, dilemmas.
Cover blurb: **Time is a resource. Everyone knows it has to be managed. And on Discworld that is the job of the Monks of History, who store it and pump it from the places where it’s waste (like underwater - how much time does a codfish need?) to places like cities, where there’s never enough time.
But the construction of the world’s first truly accurate clock starts a race against, well, time for Lu Tze and fis apprentice Lobsang Ludd. Because it will stop time. And that will only be the start of everyone’s problems.
Theif of Time comes complete with a full supporting cast of heroes and villains, yetis, martial artists and Ronnie, the fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse (who left before they became famous).**
Apparently Death’s also a star player and there are more than a few Matrix references rubs hands with glee
I thought it was not out until Wednesday (at least, that is what the on-line stores are saying).
I can’t wait to get my hands on it, my copies are on order at this very minute.
For those of you who don’t know, btw, there is a signing tour throughout May. It is in both the UK and the US. This will be my 4th signed book Anyone who does not have details and is interested, drop me a line and I can send you all the dates/venues/times.
As for how to savour the time, try reading some of the older books again while you await the perfect time, or set a specific date and time when you will start it, then you will be able to look forward to that.
Waaaaa! Why does the Northern Hemisphere always get the good stuff first? Waaaaa!
Can’t wait. Can’t afford to buy it hardback, but I’m ready to fight off all the local Pratchett fans when it comes to getting one through the library. Last time, for “The Truth”, I got in too late, and had to wait 3 months. grumble, grumble
Just an aside:
I have an autographed book of his, from when he was in New Zealand and signing books at local malls. I came upon the signing by accident (this was in 1997, not a good year for me, and I wasn’t paying a lot of attention to the news). There was I, ambling along, on the way out of the mall – and I see him. Black hat an’ all! Grief! Great fan panic came over me, and all I could think of was (a) had to get an autograph, and (b) which damn book do I choose? The book had to be cool, one of his I really liked. I chose a paperback of “Guards, Guards”, stood in line (one guy was having the entire paperback collection signed). Then, I think I told Terry I loved his books, read all of them, stuff like that. He drew a scythe in the book, and wrote “Read 'em and reap”. Joy!
Sorry to share this with you guys, but – that was one of the highlights of my life, meeting Terry Pratchett in reality, down here, and having him sign a book I now own and won’t let anyone come near without 5 types of ID and a reference from their god/goddess.
BTW, a Brit named Jason Anthony at oook@ufbs.co.uk does a very good monthly e-newsletter on Pratchett stuff.
Oops, I meant, I’m still waiting for The Truth to come out in paperback. Though I wouldn’t mind if both TT and ToT both came out in paperback now…
(And then there’s the next novel, which IMO will result in the death of a major Discworld character – with Terry Pratchett, however, I’m sure it’ll be done in good taste and lots of humor)
I’m just now reading “The Fifth Elephant.” I couldn’t afford to buy “The Truth” in hardback and I don’t have a library card for some reason. (I just can’t seem to make it to the library to get a card… I wonder why…)
Being a Doper in the States, I wanna make sure I’m up to speed.
The Fifth Elephant just came out in paperback. The Truth is out NOW in hardcover? When is it expected in paperback?
Now there’s a new one. Thief of Time. Is that only hardcover in U.K.? Or is it paperback? And how long till it hits a bookstore near me in paperback? About a year and a half?
And when Mr. Pratchett kills off one of his characters, are they DEAD dead. Or do they get to hang around as a ghost or something? Maybe if he offed CMOT Dibbler it wouldn’t be so bad.
I used to be hip to all this publishing stuff. Pesky kids, they keep me out of the bookstore.
Rue, the current US publisher is attempting to get the US hardcovers released simultaniously with the UK now. The Truth hardcover came out a week after the UK hardcover did, and I believe that the US Thief will be similarly released.
Not that it really matters for me, since I buy the british editions.
This character who is going to die, who has appeared prominently in at least one novel, and it’s “not what you think”…
My guesses include: Susan, Alberto Malich (Albert is Death’s manservant), or he may have been referring to the recent almost-death of Gaspode the dog in Fifth Elephant (I’m pretty sure he changed his mind over his fate there).
Such are my thoughts. Nobody really prominent like Granny or Vimes or Archchancellor Ridcully. But even if it was, he’d handle it in a Windle Poons sort of way I’m sure. Which in my mind is cool anyway.
It’s allegedly available in the US, but since I’ve been getting the British editions for years(far better covers) I’ve been ordering from http://www.amazon.co.uk
(at least, that is what the on-line stores are saying).
Anyone who does not have details and is interested, drop me a line and I can send you all the dates/venues/times.