Terry Pratchett, A Blink of the Screen

I tend to buy Terry Pratchett's books on sight.  In most cases, I am also well aware where and when they can be sighted, anticipating each release with itchy impatience.  I knew of A Blink of the Screen long before it hit the shelves sometime last autumn and yet I let this one pass.

To tell you the truth and despite all the adoration I have for the author, I thought the book was a typical money-spinner. You know, re-hashed material that you've already read somewhere else, new fancy cover and high price tag.  To a degree, it's true.  The stories are not new, oh no, but still A Blink of the Screen was a pleasure to read, for three reasons. 

One, Pratchett is simply a damn good writer, ok?  I consider him a first-class wordsmith, unable of releasing bad literature on people.

Two, pictures.  Glorious, full-colour inserts full of illustrations by Josh Kirby (he of the original Discworld book covers).

Three, little introductory notes from Pratchett accompanying each story.  Priceless! 

The book is divided into two sections, Discworld and non-Discworld. To my astonishment I enjoyed the latter more.  Well, ok, maybe it's not that surprising, I have read most of the Discworld stuff before, I think every Pratchett fan has.  It's just that I usually lose interest as soon as the author gets off his trademark creation, and this time my attention remained fixed on the text.  Must be due to point one on the list above...

I still wouldn't buy the book (lucky me, with a few well-stocked libraries nearby), but I'm guessing that the collectors among Pratchett fans would, happily.  After all, it's a lifetime's worth of short stories.  Handy to have them collected in one pretty volume.

Terry Pratchett, The Compleat Ankh-Morpork City Guide

Once more, let's take a short trip to the land of Discworld spin-offs. 

I tend to have mixed feelings towards this ever increasing body of work.  They rarely match novels proper in pure awesomeness, but to the die-hard Discworld fan (me!) they are welcome as something new from the beloved realm.  Additionally, sometimes they are rather good.  I really liked The Science of Discworld, or The Folklore of Discworld, I disliked Where Is My Cow? and The Compleat Ankh-Morpork City Guide is somewhere in between.

First thing you need to know is that it comes with a map.  Not the most beautiful map in the world, but an extremely detailed one, with every lane and alley properly named and located.  As the sticker on the cover informed me, it is also available as an app, which may be of interest to some.

The Guide itself tells you pretty much anything you need to know if you're planning to visit Ankh.  Where to stay.  What to eat.  What to do.  What not to do, if you wish to stay alive.  Where to buy merchandise, both exotic and mundane.  One almost wishes the proud city existed... 

The concept for the book is really interesting.  A large part is presented as pages and pages of classifieds, those little ads which, abhorrent enough in the real world, are pretty tasty on the Discworld.  They are a bit like 'How well do you know Terry Pratchett?' challenge:  all the characters, places and businesses mentioned in the novels are there and it's up to you to recognise them.  I did quite well, I think, although I bet I missed quite a few references anyway.  But hey, no book of Terry Pratchett yields all its secrets if read only once. 

To tell you the truth, I think The Compleat Ankh-Morpork City Guide is a book for having, not for reading.  Visually, it is absolutely stunning and would look fantastic on any shelf.  I'm sure it's fun to keep in on hand to be opened on relevant page when reading any Discworld novel.  As to the reading...  Well, there is not that much of it, for one.  It is not as funny as the usual Pratchett fare either. 

Still, speaking against Sir Terry Pratchett is a blasphemy.  I shall shut up right now, or else my arm will fall off. 

Terry Pratchett, Ian Stewart, Jack Cohen, The Science of Discword II - The Globe

Take a Discworld novella and mix it with some quantum physics.  Add a dash of anthropology, a pinch of religion, some history, a few grains of astrophysics and lots and lots of light-hearted, humorous commentary.  Oh, and don't forget to season everything with Shakespeare.  Hey presto, you've just created The Science of Discworld II - The Globe. 

If the above recipe looks like too much hassle (or if you're blown away by the sheer difficulty of the task), don't worry.  Terry Pratchett, Ian Stewart  and Jack Cohen have already cooked up the dish for you.  Take it home and enjoy.

If you have a look around this blog, you will know that I am an unconditional Pratchett fan.  I know almost every word of all Discworld novels so getting my hands on one of the spin-offs is a particular joy for me (as in Pratchett + something I haven't read yet = pure delight).  Especially if he teams up with guys like Stewart and Cohen.  It appears that the three gentlemen look at the world in a very similar way.  Result:  The Science of Discworld is very Pratchettesque, although I would hazard a guess that the man himself has actually written only small portion of it. 

I have to confess that my brain panted a little at times, especially when I was reading some of hard core physics chapters.  The Science of Discworld is somewhat heavier than the usual Pratchett fare - probably too difficult for children or young teenagers (unless, of course, he or she is a small genius).  On the other hand, if you're looking to be entertained AND taught a thing or two, I can't imagine a better choice. 

I've just noticed how I'm focusing on the scientific part of the book, completely ignoring Discworld elements.  You deserve a hint or two.

Here be elves.  Time and transworld travel.   Spanish ladies (well, one Spanish lady).  Last but not least - a bunch of meddling wizards from Unseen University which, really, tells it all.

Happy reading!

Terry Pratchett, Jacqueline Simpson, The Folklore of Discworld

If there was such a thing as Pratchettology, I would've surely earned a Ph.D. by now.  I pretty much worship the guy.  I fall asleep to the sound of Discworld audiobooks almost every night.  I can quote whole passages from memory and I still laugh at the jokes, even if I've heard them a hundred times.

It's no surprise then that The Folklore of Discworld is not a novelty to me.  I read it for the first time some three years ago, when it was still brand new (well, new-ish.  Libraries do take their time when it comes to buying fresh releases), and, no need to add, the book seduced me instantly.  Folklore is another one of my tiny obsessions, so getting the two together was like Christmas coming early.

When I re-read The Folklore of Discworld recently, I was just as enchanted.

The book was not written by Pratchett alone.  Jacqueline Simpson, an acclaimed British folklorist is listed as a co-author.  In effect, the book is not exactly a classic Discworld novel.  More, it should probably be classified as non-fiction.  The basic idea is simple enough.  Discworld is full of magical creatures and customs that inevitably have their equivalent on our Earth.  The book explores those connections.

Ultimately, it is a fun way to learn more about our own folklore.  Discworld elements, although sparkling with pure Pratchettesque wit and sense of humour, are generally variations on material already covered in the novels.  Even so, The Folklore of Discworld is extremely readable and can be considered a treat even for (or especially for) die-hard Pratchett fans.

Terry Pratchett, Snuff

I know I've been tormenting you with only positive reviews recently.  I promise to supply an exception to this trend soon, as the book I'm reading at the moment is already showing some signs of bad literaturiosis, but first I have some catching up to do. 

Today's review will be full of worshipful admiration.  No, don't run yet, Snuff really deserves it. 

I'd better say it sooner rather than later - I believe Terry Pratchett is the most talented writer of our times (and possibly ever, goddamnit!).  I know his Discworld novels almost by heart, I fall asleep to the sound of his audiobooks pretty much every night and I still haven't had enough.  Language is Sir Terry's obedient doggie - it does tricks for him, runs errands and does anything the Big Man wants of it.  Unbelievable.  I can read his books again and again and every time I find something new - a new joke, new double-meaning or comic reference.  It's like mining for gold, which can last for years without bringing the mine any nearer to exhaustion. 

Pratchett is the only author in the whole wide world whose books I'm collecting.  Usually I'm a big fan of libraries and similar institutions - I see no point in spending substantial (for my means) amount of money for a book that will be read once and then collect dust on the shelf for years to come.  Most books fall into this category - they can be unbelievably enjoyable to read, but once you're through, you don't want to read them until you totally forget the storyline.  Terry Pratchett's prose is different.  It's a bit like puzzle solving - decoding yet another reference brings me as much joy as cracking a difficult crossword, only it's far funnier.  I could go on (and probably will, at some other time), but since it's a review of Snuff, not Pratchett's profile, it's high time to focus on the book itself.

If you know the Discworld, please skip the following paragraph - it's meant for the uninitiated and you'll be bored to tears.

Imagine a flat disc, situated on top of four elephants, which, in turn, rest on top of a giant turtle travelling through space.  A world like that simply must be suffused with magic and peopled not only by humans, but other intelligent races as well - dwarfs, trolls, vampires, werewolves, elves, pixies (or, in this particular case, pictsies), bogeymen, golems, orcs, medusas and many more.  Snuff is about goblins.  Well, mostly goblins.  It is also about Commander Vimes, a lifelong copper, going on holidays.  Now, what happens if a policeman takes some time off?  According to the ancient Murphy's Law, crime happens (although this particular copper is more relieved than vexed by this occurrence).  What follows is a criminal story worth of Agatha Christie, set in a magical environment and full of intelligent, semi-cynical sense of humour. I'm not sure if it's a good book to start a Pratchett adventure with - after all it's number 39th on the list and Discworld books are chronologically organised, but if you were to read just one (which is highly unlikely), Snuff is as good as any other.  And since you'll be wanting to read it again and again, you can just as well buy it...

Now back to serious Pratchett fans.  First, let me share my joy and excitement - UAAAUAUAUAUAUA, SNUFF IS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Finally!!!  I've been counting the days down for months (but, ironically, forgot all about it just before release day and run to the bookshop two weeks later).  I got it, I've read it, I love it. 

Snuff is a Vimes novel (note how I'm NOT saying 'city watch novel' - there's very little of other watchmen and virtually no city).  Some years have passed since events described in Thud.  Commander Vimes has become a worldwide symbol of justice and good coppering.  Sybil, with only a hint of suggestion from Lord Vetinari, decides it's high time for Young Sam (aged six) to learn that food doesn't grow in shops and declares family holidays in the countryside. 
Obviously, Vimes is not too comfortable with such a turn of events.  What, no cobbled streets under his feet? Nobody shouting 'It's one o'clock and all is well'?  And, above all, no crime???
Here, at least,the Commander may soon breathe a sigh of relief.  Crime happens and happens big time (and I'm hereby done with plot spoilers).
You also get closer look at goblins, Quirm, and Young Sam's fascination with poo.
What you don't get - and it is a big surprise, since this character had until now appeared in pretty much every Discworld novel (I need to double check if I can delete 'pretty much' bit) - is Death. 

As classically Pratchett-y as it gets.