6.10.2010

Currently Reading: Discworld 1 and 2

(Actual titles: The Color of Magic and The Light Fantastic, respectively)


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Bravd and Weasel looked at the figure, now hopping across the road with one foot in a stirrup.

"Fire-raiser, is he?" said Bravd at last.

"No," said Rincewind. "Not precisely. Let's just say that if complete and utter chaos were lightning, then he'd be the sort to stand on a hilltop in a thunderstorm wearing wet copper armor and shouting 'All gods are bastards.' Got any food?"

Author: Terry Pratchett

Mini-synopsis: These are tales from a flat circular planet carried by four elephants on the back of a giant space turtle, and it only gets weirder from there.
 
Notes: I hadn't realized before picking up a Discworld book that the series is parody, but it didn't take me long to figure that out. From using 8 instead of 7 as the most magical number to making the protagonist an utter coward, from the gods playing something like chess with human lives to the inclusion of Death as a character (he talks in SMALL CAPS and likes card games--it's hilarious), the books are a twist on just about every known twistable feature of tales told.
 
Of course, parody isn't generally my thing. It doesn't let me suspend disbelief naturally. It took a little getting used to, then, despite the clever humor; also, it wasn't until part way through the second book that I realized I actually cared whether Rincewind (the main character) stuck around for future installments. He's such a heel in the first book. But once that connection hit me, I started really enjoying the story. After that it made me laugh a lot more... and now I just might go looking for book 3 one of these days.

The above quote had me snickering at random moments for days after I first read it.

4 comments:

  1. Oh, YAY! You had the same reaction that I did. And that quote is my absolute favorite. So beautifully snarky and straight-laced at the same time.

    Glad you are enjoying what is truly a bizarre set of tales.

    wv: monting - when a rabbit, a frog, and a duck ride a alligator to school.

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  2. I FORGOT ABOUT THAT BOOK.

    Monty is right up there with Ferdinand and Morris and Boris in the list of best. children's. books. ever.

    And thanks for the Discworld pair! They made for some great Sunday afternoon reading. :)

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  3. Welcome to the wonderful world of Discworld! I freely confess I'm a Pratchett geek, or on my happy way to becoming one. (Remind me to show you my Harry Potter/Discworld crossover fan-fic someday...)

    Read, keep reading, and enjoy! (I recommend The Wee Free Men--tremendous protagonist in that wee trilogy. And actually--oh heck, I recommend 'em all. Email me if you want to risk unleashing the geekiness of my itemized list!

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  4. A Harry Potter/Discworld crossover fan fic, Mr. Pond? Yipes! And I thought the Discworld tale couldn't get any wilder. Sounds like fun. :D

    I'll have to look for The Wee Free Men next, and remember to contact you for future references.

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