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roaming_enn's review
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
"Don't put your faith in gods. But you can believe in turtles."
Brutha is a young novice or priest-in-training (or whatever it's called in this world lol) who one day meets a little tortoise that claims to be the Great God Om. From there, he sets off
This is my first Terry Pratchett book! I didn't have a lot of expectations from it other than that it's very good. And yes, I'd have to agree that it's very good! It has a blend of humor, philosophy, and introspection that I really loved! The final lines hit me so hard--they were really the only thing that hit me hard--iykyk
He sighed.
"But I'm me," he said.
Those lines give me CHILLS!!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture and Gaslighting
theaceofpages's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“Belief, he says. Belief shifts. People start out believing in the god and end up believing in the structure.”
Small Gods is not a part of any of the Discworld subseries. Instead it examines the roles of religion on the disc (although the round earthers will insist that the earth is a globe and not flat). The god Om has lost most of his believers (although they still believe and insist that they believe) and was unable to return in one of his more impressive form (like white bull that crushes infidels). Instead, he returns as a tortoise (there's good eating on one of them) and even forgets that he is a god until he picked up out of the desert by an eagle and dropped near Brutha, who is a low level member of Om's temple. Om quickly realises that belief in his religion is not the same in belief in him and Brutha starts to question everything he has been taught, both through his god and through being exposed to a world outside of the temple.
It's been a little while since my last Pratchett, but this was definitely a good one. In typical Pratchett fashion, this book is smart and funny. I loved the tongue in cheek commentary about religious indoctrination and about how religion can so easily be corrupted by people. Even Om is upset about how his name has been used, his role twisted and how he has been used to justify things he never said (the prophets made up things to suit their needs). I can see similar trends in modern religion - amongst certain groups religion has become more about hate rather than the love it preaches. I don't see this is not an attack on religion or spirituality itself, but rather on the bigots who use their religion to justify their views. That being said, I can see why some more deeply religious people wouldn't love the message. Although some (especially those born into it and possibly questioning it) would benefit. I loved seeing Brutha's growth as he was exposed to a greater world and learned to be his own person. I also enjoyed the dropped mentions of other gods and character that have been mention before (like Offlar the crocodile god or The Librarian). And Cut-Me-Own-Hand-Off Dhblah? Proof that these kinds of people simply appear where needed (as Pratchett has previously stated with regards to Cut-Me-Own-Throat Dibbler).
I think this is one of the darker Discworld novels (so far). While it still remains humerous, it explores themes such as cult-like religion, religious indoctrination, war about beliefs and the like. That being said, it's a great book and oneI'd definitely recommend (although maybe not to those die hard religious types who take offense at everything and believe we're all going to hell, simply for existing). And since it doesn't link closely to any other Discworld books, it can definitely be enjoyed regardless of whether you have read an of Pratchett's other works, and of whether you plan to read any others.
Some notes on the content warnings:
Small Gods is not a part of any of the Discworld subseries. Instead it examines the roles of religion on the disc (although the round earthers will insist that the earth is a globe and not flat). The god Om has lost most of his believers (although they still believe and insist that they believe) and was unable to return in one of his more impressive form (like white bull that crushes infidels). Instead, he returns as a tortoise (there's good eating on one of them) and even forgets that he is a god until he picked up out of the desert by an eagle and dropped near Brutha, who is a low level member of Om's temple. Om quickly realises that belief in his religion is not the same in belief in him and Brutha starts to question everything he has been taught, both through his god and through being exposed to a world outside of the temple.
It's been a little while since my last Pratchett, but this was definitely a good one. In typical Pratchett fashion, this book is smart and funny. I loved the tongue in cheek commentary about religious indoctrination and about how religion can so easily be corrupted by people. Even Om is upset about how his name has been used, his role twisted and how he has been used to justify things he never said (the prophets made up things to suit their needs). I can see similar trends in modern religion - amongst certain groups religion has become more about hate rather than the love it preaches. I don't see this is not an attack on religion or spirituality itself, but rather on the bigots who use their religion to justify their views. That being said, I can see why some more deeply religious people wouldn't love the message. Although some (especially those born into it and possibly questioning it) would benefit. I loved seeing Brutha's growth as he was exposed to a greater world and learned to be his own person. I also enjoyed the dropped mentions of other gods and character that have been mention before (like Offlar the crocodile god or The Librarian). And Cut-Me-Own-Hand-Off Dhblah? Proof that these kinds of people simply appear where needed (as Pratchett has previously stated with regards to Cut-Me-Own-Throat Dibbler).
I think this is one of the darker Discworld novels (so far). While it still remains humerous, it explores themes such as cult-like religion, religious indoctrination, war about beliefs and the like. That being said, it's a great book and oneI'd definitely recommend (although maybe not to those die hard religious types who take offense at everything and believe we're all going to hell, simply for existing). And since it doesn't link closely to any other Discworld books, it can definitely be enjoyed regardless of whether you have read an of Pratchett's other works, and of whether you plan to read any others.
Some notes on the content warnings:
- Religious bigotry/ gaslighting (also cults):
People do bad things in the name of religgion, make up things about their god (which he is surprised about) and keep their followers from expanding their horizons - Slavery:
Ironically the actual slaves are treated much better than those who work for the temple. They are allowed time off and allowed to run away each year (go on holiday). They also, supposedly, get freedom and their own slaves after a set number of years of service. At least the main one we meet seems to be well treated. - War/ fire:
There is a war in the name of religion. It includes a fire. No details about people being injured, but a library is burned down - Drowning (not an option)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Gaslighting
Moderate: Death, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Minor: Slavery
kshertz's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
It was interesting for sure. I love the silliness and the smart quips. It took a lot of focus for me to get through this book and I’m thinking this type of book is not really my style. But I did enjoy it and laugh a lot.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, and War
chemicalcain's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I found Small Gods to be full of compelling ideas and characters, but I also found it deeply troubling and triggering in parts. This is a book about the evolution of religion and about escaping a cult. The cult in question is a satirical parallel to a particularly violent form of Christianity: it's a monotheistic religion about "the One True God," and the leadership of the movement controls its followers by fear and surveillance. Content warnings will apply for cults, religious intimidation, and holy wars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Gaslighting, and Colonisation
CW: cults, religious intimidation, holy war.