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e_reading's review
5.0
I cried reading this, remembering a great man whose work I have come to love and appreciate so much. Every short story and snippet is prefaced by Pterry's own reminiscing about the work. It felt like talking to an old friend.
Familiar faces abound. Death makes several appearances, not always in his Discworld self but with a familiar Pratchett flair that would remind me always where he comes from. Clever -and a little bit snide- snapshots of a politician, minutes from imagined town meetings, and cheerful poems pepper the pages. I met the gnomes that would one day be the characters in Trucker. I read a writer's great fear -that his characters might, in fact be real, and probably coming to visit him. "The Sea and Little Fishes," featuring Granny Weatherwax in all her proud, righteous glory, made me tear up and I had to stop.
It's a short story collection of works that could have should have would have (possibly never) been.
I loved it.
Familiar faces abound. Death makes several appearances, not always in his Discworld self but with a familiar Pratchett flair that would remind me always where he comes from. Clever -and a little bit snide- snapshots of a politician, minutes from imagined town meetings, and cheerful poems pepper the pages. I met the gnomes that would one day be the characters in Trucker. I read a writer's great fear -that his characters might, in fact be real, and probably coming to visit him. "The Sea and Little Fishes," featuring Granny Weatherwax in all her proud, righteous glory, made me tear up and I had to stop.
It's a short story collection of works that could have should have would have (possibly never) been.
I loved it.
ruhrpottpoet's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
darkskybooks's review
4.0
Terry Pratchett is one of those authors I got into early and read religiously - I can still remember that sense of joy that I felt when I discovered his discworld series (Mort is one of the earliest reading experiences I can remember). I read all of the main series up until his passing a few years ago, but had been sitting on this short story collection for a while. His writing style is so distinctive and it is intriguing that even his very earliest published work feels very much like a Pratchett work. Reading stuff of his is always a comforting experience with his amazing wit and whimsical view of the world.
This collection is neatly divided into two sections - the first deals with short fiction away from his Discworld series and the second section covers his Discworld shorts. All the works are worthy reads, even if the familiarity of the Discworld setting makes the short stories there more enjoyable. As this collects works across his writing career you can also get a sense of his growth as an author. Some of the characters and ideas have been recycled into larger works and it is interesting to see how his ideas evolved.
As a side note, this is not a collection for people to start Terry Pratchett with - you would be much better diving into one of his main series. But for Pratchett fans, this serves up a slice of fun and a real window into his writing mind.
This collection is neatly divided into two sections - the first deals with short fiction away from his Discworld series and the second section covers his Discworld shorts. All the works are worthy reads, even if the familiarity of the Discworld setting makes the short stories there more enjoyable. As this collects works across his writing career you can also get a sense of his growth as an author. Some of the characters and ideas have been recycled into larger works and it is interesting to see how his ideas evolved.
As a side note, this is not a collection for people to start Terry Pratchett with - you would be much better diving into one of his main series. But for Pratchett fans, this serves up a slice of fun and a real window into his writing mind.
tashamuseray's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
jonathanrobert's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
When I saw this book in the bookstore I just had to get it so I ordered it online when I got home. And wow, I loved it.
Ok not everything, but most of the short stories were absolutely wonderful and I enjoyed them. Some I skipped though, mostly because they just didn't interest me that much.
I can say I loved, loved, loved the Discworld short stories. Finally we get all those older characters again, The witches, Death, the UU and more. All characters that I miss so much, characters for which I keep hoping they will get a new book. For some reason the new Discworld just doesn't have that spark any more, maybe because I don't really like the new characters that much. Bring back Death! The Witches! And others. :)
So yeah, I really enjoyed the witches long story, it was really fun to see Ogg and Weatherwax together again.
In short, this book is really something if you are a big fan of Terry Pratchett, and I would recommend it to those who are. :)
Ok not everything, but most of the short stories were absolutely wonderful and I enjoyed them. Some I skipped though, mostly because they just didn't interest me that much.
I can say I loved, loved, loved the Discworld short stories. Finally we get all those older characters again, The witches, Death, the UU and more. All characters that I miss so much, characters for which I keep hoping they will get a new book. For some reason the new Discworld just doesn't have that spark any more, maybe because I don't really like the new characters that much. Bring back Death! The Witches! And others. :)
So yeah, I really enjoyed the witches long story, it was really fun to see Ogg and Weatherwax together again.
In short, this book is really something if you are a big fan of Terry Pratchett, and I would recommend it to those who are. :)
maxtrommelen's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
mashca's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
This is absolutely a biased review from someone who has read every single Discworld.
I did not know this book existed until I saw it in my local library and was so excited to read a new Pratchett. And this book is totally for me, as a huge fan. Before reading the short story containing Granny and Nanny I held the book to my chest with a huge smile as I was so happy to finally relive the feeling of reading a Discworld book for the first time again.
Furthermore, if you like the short story 'Troll Bridge' I highly recommend the fan film of the same name, the whole of which is freely available on YouTube. Pratchett never saw the completed work before passing, but it is truly wonderful and made with so much love.
The other works didn't hit quite so hard for me. I loved his short stories and it has inspired me to start reading through Pratchett's sci-fi work, but I found myself bored in other stories.
Overall, I am so happy I picked this up.
I did not know this book existed until I saw it in my local library and was so excited to read a new Pratchett. And this book is totally for me, as a huge fan. Before reading the short story containing Granny and Nanny I held the book to my chest with a huge smile as I was so happy to finally relive the feeling of reading a Discworld book for the first time again.
Furthermore, if you like the short story 'Troll Bridge' I highly recommend the fan film of the same name, the whole of which is freely available on YouTube. Pratchett never saw the completed work before passing, but it is truly wonderful and made with so much love.
The other works didn't hit quite so hard for me. I loved his short stories and it has inspired me to start reading through Pratchett's sci-fi work, but I found myself bored in other stories.
Overall, I am so happy I picked this up.
hayleyg84's review
5.0
I am not normally a fan of short stories but for Terry Pratchett I am prepared to make an exception. I really enjoyed reading these and at several times laughed out loud (as a teacher the medical disorder of the attention seeking pupil was spot on and very funny). What was most fascinating about these was to see the early germs of an idea which were later developed into full length books (Truckers and The Long Earth). I really enjoyed the non disc world writings particularly the author who killed off his hero to only find him stood on his front door.
laurel1985's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0