Book review: Thud!
Oct. 14th, 2005 02:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tigertoyToday's book review is Thud! by Terry Pratchett.
This is the latest novel in the Discworld series. While Pterry seems to have abandoned his surprising literary experiment of breaking his work into chapters, he continues to write well. This volume is much less satirical than many, perhaps because the subject matter of ancient ethnic rivalries inflamed by religious fundamentalism is a little more weighty than, say, the post office, and perhaps because ancient ethnic rivalries and inflammatory religious fundamentalism don't have to be painted with over-the-top satire to point out what's wrong with them. There's still lots of great Pratchett humor, but it's more in the little details than in the main plot. In addition to examining the horror and stupidity of historical grudges between groups of people, we get some insights along the way into the ethics of policing, parenthood, and the difficulties of finding a mate. Oh, and we do get a little satirical when we examine the wonders of modern technology.
All in all, Discworld continues to make far more sense than a world built on such intentionally goofy premises should make, and Pratchett continues to have a lot more to say about just about any aspect of the human condition than anyone who hasn't read him would expect from a madcap humorist. 9 out of 10.
This is the latest novel in the Discworld series. While Pterry seems to have abandoned his surprising literary experiment of breaking his work into chapters, he continues to write well. This volume is much less satirical than many, perhaps because the subject matter of ancient ethnic rivalries inflamed by religious fundamentalism is a little more weighty than, say, the post office, and perhaps because ancient ethnic rivalries and inflammatory religious fundamentalism don't have to be painted with over-the-top satire to point out what's wrong with them. There's still lots of great Pratchett humor, but it's more in the little details than in the main plot. In addition to examining the horror and stupidity of historical grudges between groups of people, we get some insights along the way into the ethics of policing, parenthood, and the difficulties of finding a mate. Oh, and we do get a little satirical when we examine the wonders of modern technology.
All in all, Discworld continues to make far more sense than a world built on such intentionally goofy premises should make, and Pratchett continues to have a lot more to say about just about any aspect of the human condition than anyone who hasn't read him would expect from a madcap humorist. 9 out of 10.