Going Postal by Terry Pratchett

[prendrelemick]

Going Postal by Terry Pratchett.

I've just finished Pratchett's 33rd Discworld book. I don't intend to go into the plot here, suffice to say it is imaginative and funny, You laugh at his created world, and realize he's poking fun at the real one. A homage to Douglas Adams.

There are many published writers in the world, and many prose styles. Some are as fussy as a Rococo ceiling. Some are practically illiterate. Some are clever. Some are bad craftsmen and can't get everything to hold up. Some are real artists, creating prose of breathtaking beauty that makes you pause and rewind. Some are so intellectual as to be unintelligible.

Pratchett's prose is the best kind. It is so good you hardly notice it, it has no pretensions or flourishes, he uses the best words to get the idea across, complexity is unravelled the strange seems natural, everything makes perfect sense. His characters are based on shrewd observations of the human race, but he is confident enough to leave plenty of room for you to fill in the gaps. So the character becomes your creation as well as his, grown out of your experience of the story and the world it is set in.

So all is good and smooth, pages turn without you noticing, nothing jars you out of the moment. He is loved by school kids, students and graduates – especially graduates – here at last they can read just for pleasure, he gets in under the radar before you can analyse what's happening.

One day I'll read them all.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

That he's written 33 books in one series makes me wary.

[cafolini]

Fellows, pay attention to who's the judge here.

[billl]

I just recently finished the second Pratchett that I've read. He really amazes me with his metaphors, he can be absolutely hilarious. Discworld is a pretty funny place. My impression is that some of the installments have more "depth" (or even poignancy?) or whatever than others perhaps, but either way, I am pretty glad that I've got quite a few more of these books to intersperse among the less-contemporary and the less light-hearted stuff I've got lined-up to read.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Fellows, pay attention to who's the judge here.

What does that mean?

[prendrelemick]

I just recently finished the second Pratchett that I've read. He really amazes me with his metaphors, he can be absolutely hilarious. Discworld is a pretty funny place. My impression is that some of the installments have more "depth" (or even poignancy?) or whatever than others perhaps, but either way, I am pretty glad that I've got quite a few more of these books to intersperse among the less-contemporary and the less light-hearted stuff I've got lined-up to read.

That is exactly how I use his stuff, some light relief. But somehow they are also books you can read over again and find something new - how does he do that?

[prendrelemick]

That he's written 33 books in one series makes me wary.

Just read the first one, it really is no effort - that's the attraction.

[billl]

That is exactly how I use his stuff, some light relief. But somehow they are also books you can read over again and find something new - how does he do that?

I haven't re-read any yet (except for one paragraph from early on in Mort)--but I am 99% sure that the language/writing would make them very easy to re-read, in my case (and this is of course subjective). It's sort of like Wodehouse (not to raise the bar so unreasonably high, but...)--sure, over time, if I largely forget the plot of a tale it might be especially fun to see the zaniness play out again--but the turns of phrase and comic timing are more than enough to make the stories rewarding, whether I know who's going to do what or not.

Unlike Wodehouse, there's some heart-warming stuff, as well as other emotions happening in the two Pratchett books I've read--and I'd probably someday like to re-visit those characters and their journeys... But it's the writing, the comic timing, the hilarious and apt metaphor that often delights me with Pratchett. Still, I'm only two books in--maybe, even as I praise it, I'm underestimating aspects of this world he's created, and what Discworld can mean to a reader. That's most likely the case actually--at least it was up until me typing this sentence. And now I've possibly gone too far in the other direction... Well, I'll just have to see--ah, yes, that's better.

By the way, at the moment I'm not too interested in racing through all the books, but it occurred to me today that there might be some "immersive" reward, if I were too read 2-4 of these books one after the other... I'm still pretty much set against it, but I'd be interested to hear if you (Mick, in particular, but anyone else as well) have any insight or opinion on this.

[billl]

That he's written 33 books in one series makes me wary.

Just read the first one, it really is no effort - that's the attraction.

I've seen Mort recommended as a good starting point. I read Mort second--Guards Guards was the first I tried (it's the first book in maybe the most famous sub-series, I've been told). Anyhow, I have also heard that some of the earliest are sub-par. I don't mean to talk counter to Mick, especially since I haven't read those. But Mort is a pretty early one, I think...

[prendrelemick]

I suppose I was fortunate in reading the first two books first; Colour of Magic and Light Fantastic. That gave me a grounding and they were simply brilliant. To keep up that standard though all 33 novels is just not going to happen.

I should say I have only read about 10 of them.

[billl]

I suppose I was fortunate in reading the first two books first; Colour of Magic and Light Fantastic.

Well, those two suddenly look like great choices then, thanks--a couple random voices on the internet got me scared of basically everything early, which isn't what they intended, I'm sure--but with so many books I couldn't tell which ones exactly they meant to warn against (leaving aside the question of whether these random voices were right in the first place). I'll probably go with Men At Arms next though--it's supposed to be one of the truly special ones, and it's next after Guards Guards in that sub-series...

[Lokasenna]

I actually think the first two books are least enjoyable - mostly because Pratchett hasn't yet got a complete handle on his characters (for example, Lord Vetinari is fat, corrupt and foolish - unlike the raven-like devious machiavel we all know and love) and is more openly trying to ape the conventions of high fantasy.

That's not to say they aren't fantastic, but for me the great joy is seeing him work with his established characters, developing their personalities and putting them in new adventures.

[Hawkman]

Loki, You are right to observe that the first two books are the weakest, and for the reason you stated, but the Patrician in the first books is not Vetinari. As with the Archchanellor of Unseen University, there are changes of cast, and this also applies to the Guilds. I have read and reread and then read again, all the discworld novels up to Monsterous Regiment, which in my view is probably the weakest. The sad fact of his Altzheimers (or similar condition) definaiely had a detrimental impact on his writing. I stopped reading him after this as I was afraid I was going to watch his standard drop. If Going Postal is as much fun as you claim, I may return to the fold.

[prendrelemick]

Hawkman. I cannot argue with someone who has read nearly all the series, but I can say Going Postal is as good as any, however everything is a matter of taste.

Those first two books remain my favourites, but I can see a developement along the way as Loki mentioned. The first book seems to have a- try anything and hope it works- attitude, it is stuffed with ideas and I like that. He is building a new world after all.

I have read the Guards Guards series, they are more edited and sophisticated, but I would say they are less fun too.

[Lokasenna]

Loki, You are right to observe that the first two books are the weakest, and for the reason you stated, but the Patrician in the first books is not Vetinari. As with the Archchanellor of Unseen University, there are changes of cast, and this also applies to the Guilds. I have read and reread and then read again, all the discworld novels up to Monsterous Regiment, which in my view is probably the weakest. The sad fact of his Altzheimers (or similar condition) definaiely had a detrimental impact on his writing. I stopped reading him after this as I was afraid I was going to watch his standard drop. If Going Postal is as much fun as you claim, I may return to the fold.

Really? For some reason I'd got it in my head that the Patrician of the first two novels was Vetinari...

Anyhoo, Monstrous Regiment is not particularly good - in fact, I'd concur that it is the weakest. But I don't think it is a product of his failing faculties, as many of the books that follow (particularly the Moist von Lipwig books) have been excellent. I haven't read Unseen Academicals or Snuff, the latest ones, but I've been told they're good.

[Hawkman]

I checked just now and the Patrician is only referred to as "The Patrician" in "The Colour of Magic" which is effectively a loosely linked collection of short stories. From a description given in another book, I always thought Evil Lord Snapcase was the Patrician in the first book. "The Light Fantastic" is a little more coherent. The Rise of Vetinari as Patrician is described in "Night Watch" through the medium of some time travelling. I'm not 100% sure without checking, but I don't think Vetinari really took off as a character until "Guards, Guards!" I seem to only have read 28 of the discworld books so I see I have some catching up to do. Really glad you opened a discussion on Pratchett though :D

Live and be well - H

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Just read the first one, it really is no effort - that's the attraction.

It is on my very, very long Amazon wish list.

[prendrelemick]

Loki. Hawkman. If you have a favorite novel or sub-series, I would be interested in Knowing what it is AND why.

(Santa is bringing me a kindle)

[billl]

(me too, but with as little untagged-spoileration as possible please)

[YesNo]

Pratchett's prose is the best kind. It is so good you hardly notice it, it has no pretensions or flourishes, he uses the best words to get the idea across, complexity is unravelled the strange seems natural, everything makes perfect sense. His characters are based on shrewd observations of the human race, but he is confident enough to leave plenty of room for you to fill in the gaps. So the character becomes your creation as well as his, grown out of your experience of the story and the world it is set in.

I went to the library this morning looking for something by Pratchett because of your post and there was a good selection of his novels available. I started reading Going Postal and was through with Chapter 1 before I realized it.

You're right. This is very good writing. I guess I'll be reading the rest of it.

[prendrelemick]

That's good. Is it your first discworld? I often wonder how they read if you start from anywhere but the beginning, there must be stuff you don't understand.

Until Loki's post I didn't realise there were other Moist books, but it does explain where the story opens.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Loki. Hawkman. If you have a favorite novel or sub-series, I would be interested in Knowing what it is AND why.

(Santa is bringing me a kindle)

Oh, fine, I won't tell you what mine is! :frown5:

[Lokasenna]

Loki. Hawkman. If you have a favorite novel or sub-series, I would be interested in Knowing what it is AND why.

(Santa is bringing me a kindle)

I love the witches books first and foremost, with the Susan books a very close second. If I had to name a favourite, it would probably be Wyrd Sisters.

[Hawkman]

Loki. Hawkman. If you have a favorite novel or sub-series, I would be interested in Knowing what it is AND why.

(Santa is bringing me a kindle)

Picking a favourite is just too hard. Mort, Soul Music, Making Movies, Jingo, The Fifth Elephant and The Hogfather are all winners. But then they are all really good except for Monsterous Regiment. Damn! I forgot Guards, Guards - outstanding story! And I forgot Maskerade too!

H

[prendrelemick]

One other thing, I notice on the fly sheet of Going Postal that his Gnome Trilogy (Truckers, Diggers and Wings) is listed under Children's books! Don't believe it, it is for all ages - I came across it at the age of 40 and It could be one of my all time favourites.

[billl]

One other thing, I notice on the fly sheet of Going Postal that his Gnome Trilogy (Truckers, Diggers and Wings) is listed under Children's books! Don't believe it, it is for all ages - I came across it at the age of 40 and It could be one of my all time favourites.

This is what I love about it. I've just scratched the surface of Discworld, and here's a whole trilogy (one I hadn't even heard mentioned before) in the same universe as the others, getting a rave review. It seems like such a reliable source of invention and fun--and great writing.

Gnomes driving trucks! (I assume...)

[prendrelemick]

This is what I love about it. I've just scratched the surface of Discworld, and here's a whole trilogy (one I hadn't even heard mentioned before) in the same universe as the others, getting a rave review. It seems like such a reliable source of invention and fun--and great writing.

Gnomes driving trucks! (I assume...)

Yes, but in this world. Be careful they are all around you!

[billl]

The number of volumes grows, just as the protagonists shrink!

[cafolini]

What does that mean?

Exactly what it says. I don't have any ulterior meanings here.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Didn't say you did. But, what does it mean? Does the OP have some bias for these books that is unreasonable? I don't get the comment.

[cafolini]

Didn't say you did. But, what does it mean? Does the OP have some bias for these books that is unreasonable? I don't get the comment.

It's just an action truism. Always look at who the judge is.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

It's just an action truism. Always look at who the judge is.

Ah. So, it was a useless, pointless statement. Got it.

[Buh4Bee]

LOL!

I liked the review, although I only scanned the discussion. It doesn't sound like my kind of book, but I like the idea of the author leaving enough room for the reader to imagine the characters further.