tangleroot_eli's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
I like many things about this book. Conina, Cohen the Barbarian's Barbarian/Hairdresser daughter; the Librarian's undaunted quest to save the library; excellent messaging about parents who try to force a particular destiny on their children.
As I read through the series, though, I'm realizing that the wizards are my least favorite Discworld folk. So a book that switches between Rincewind in all his incompetence and the University in all its smugness is never going to make my Discworld Top 10.
This book also has many bits that remind me that, although Ankh-Morpork isn't in our world, it isn't in our world in a very Londonian way, and that people from there have very Londonian attitudes toward the rest of the world. Unfortunately, in several parts I couldn't tell if that was Pratchett making fun of stereotypical English xenophobia or Pratchett displaying stereotypical English xenophobia. Those were distressing moments.
As I read through the series, though, I'm realizing that the wizards are my least favorite Discworld folk. So a book that switches between Rincewind in all his incompetence and the University in all its smugness is never going to make my Discworld Top 10.
This book also has many bits that remind me that, although Ankh-Morpork isn't in our world, it isn't in our world in a very Londonian way, and that people from there have very Londonian attitudes toward the rest of the world. Unfortunately, in several parts I couldn't tell if that was Pratchett making fun of stereotypical English xenophobia or Pratchett displaying stereotypical English xenophobia. Those were distressing moments.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Alcohol, and Child abuse
Moderate: Slavery, Blood, Violence, Bullying, Xenophobia, Fatphobia, and Sexism
Minor: Transphobia, Drug use, Alcoholism, Homophobia, and Vomit
Minor saneismchilotte's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
leland_hw's review against another edition
3.0
"The truth isn't easily pinned to a page. In the bathtub of history the truth is harder to hold than the soap, and much more difficult to find..."
Not much to add. Great story. 3.5 stars.
bopip's review against another edition
4.0
I finally enjoyed one of Pratchett's book! Maybe because I read some books with English humor before it (I'm totally sure this is the main reason) or because I had zero expectatives here but I liked this one!
Rincewind is always so funny (and useless). This is a funny book to read if you want a book where the main character doesn't want any attention, just a boring one, but fails.
Rincewind is always so funny (and useless). This is a funny book to read if you want a book where the main character doesn't want any attention, just a boring one, but fails.
kvoet's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
godlizza's review against another edition
4.0
The message of this book is that sometimes less really is more.
djwudi's review against another edition
3.0
Back to the wizards of Discworld. Last time (in _Equal Rites_) we had the eighth child of an eighth child, this time we have the eighth son of an eighth son of an eighth son, all wizards, making them a "sourcerer" -- someone who can tap into the very source of magic to create new magic. This does not go well for the Discworld, or for hapless reluctant participant (not really a hero) Rincewind. Once again, somehow, while not necessarily _doing_ much, the Luggage is a standout character.
shmaroon's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
pollyterzova's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0