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Mar. 8th, 2006 01:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
swatkatThe much delayed Going Postal review (read: set of disjointed thoughts). I'd have posted this sooner, but then I got slightly distracted by Wicked (have you read this book? why haven't you read this book?).
There's something about the mood of this book that reminds of Pyramids. Oh, it's darker – as all the later book are – and Moist isn't Teppic and Adora isn't Traci and it's probably not right to compare. But there's *something* about the book that reminds me of Pyramids - I don't think I can explain.
Despite the darker themes, this is one of Pterry's 'light & bright & sparkling' books – it's just one great ride, from start to finish. I like Moist, although I don't quite *love* him. He's your usual charming rogue – we're all familiar with the figure. It's Pratchett's brilliant handling of the character that makes him so real. The same goes for Adora, whom I like a little more than I like Moist (definitely a new addition to my People to Slash Angua With list) – she too is figure fairly common in lit and movies. But Pratchett makes her *work*, as a character, not as just 'insert female character here'.
How awesome is Lord Vetinari? Seriously.
I liked the insight that we got into the golems. And they die – they really are alive, no matter what the common opinion goes. Anghammarad's death is, as far as I'm concerned, the most poignant moment in the book.
Speaking of Moist/Adora – I continue to be in awe of Pterry's ability to convincingly do sweet, genuinely *sweet*, the kind that leaves you smiling and not in a diabetic coma. He's one of those very rare authors who can manage this.
As much as I like Going Postal, it's also a further proof of why the Watch books always work the best for me. There's Sam Vimes, of course – that goes without saying. Vimes can pull the weight of an entire book by himself (Night Watch, which is pretty much all Vimes all the time *hearts*). But what makes the Watch books so special is the ensemble cast – Carrot, my girl Angua, Colon, Nobby, Detritus, Cheery, Reg… every one of them are *human* (not in the species sense, of course) and fallible. Together, they're the perfect combination. *loves*
There's something about the mood of this book that reminds of Pyramids. Oh, it's darker – as all the later book are – and Moist isn't Teppic and Adora isn't Traci and it's probably not right to compare. But there's *something* about the book that reminds me of Pyramids - I don't think I can explain.
Despite the darker themes, this is one of Pterry's 'light & bright & sparkling' books – it's just one great ride, from start to finish. I like Moist, although I don't quite *love* him. He's your usual charming rogue – we're all familiar with the figure. It's Pratchett's brilliant handling of the character that makes him so real. The same goes for Adora, whom I like a little more than I like Moist (definitely a new addition to my People to Slash Angua With list) – she too is figure fairly common in lit and movies. But Pratchett makes her *work*, as a character, not as just 'insert female character here'.
How awesome is Lord Vetinari? Seriously.
I liked the insight that we got into the golems. And they die – they really are alive, no matter what the common opinion goes. Anghammarad's death is, as far as I'm concerned, the most poignant moment in the book.
Speaking of Moist/Adora – I continue to be in awe of Pterry's ability to convincingly do sweet, genuinely *sweet*, the kind that leaves you smiling and not in a diabetic coma. He's one of those very rare authors who can manage this.
As much as I like Going Postal, it's also a further proof of why the Watch books always work the best for me. There's Sam Vimes, of course – that goes without saying. Vimes can pull the weight of an entire book by himself (Night Watch, which is pretty much all Vimes all the time *hearts*). But what makes the Watch books so special is the ensemble cast – Carrot, my girl Angua, Colon, Nobby, Detritus, Cheery, Reg… every one of them are *human* (not in the species sense, of course) and fallible. Together, they're the perfect combination. *loves*
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Date: 2006-03-08 12:05 pm (UTC)Honestly. His sheer coolness killed me dead.
Funnily, I have just finished Pyramids. I've read it before - many, many years ago, when I first started reading Pratchett - and at that point I wasn't at all familiar with any Pratchettisms. It's nice to re-read it with more background knowledge. Teppic and Ptraci reminded me briefly of William de Worde and Sacharissa from The Truth. Especially the girls' character development is quite similar: from the rather subdued girl incapable of independent thought to the kick-ass woman. Whereas Adora kicks ass from the very beginning.
I like the Watch, but I am more a witches' girl, personally. I'd love to be like Granny, but unfortunately, I am stuck with Nanny Ogg. Ah well.
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Date: 2006-03-08 12:49 pm (UTC)Honestly. His sheer coolness killed me dead.
Lord Vetinari is just awesome. If the Potterverse had a Lord Vetinari, Voldie would've been dead and gone a long, long time ago. Or possibly working for the Ministry of Magic.
Teppic and Ptraci reminded me briefly of William de Worde and Sacharissa from The Truth.
That's another book I need to read. I liked what I saw of Sacharissa in this book, though. I think it's the *mood* of Going Postal that reminded me of Pyramids - if that makes any sense.
Especially the girls' character development is quite similar: from the rather subdued girl incapable of independent thought to the kick-ass woman. Whereas Adora kicks ass from the very beginning.
I'm in awe of Pratchett's ability to write women. Characters in general, actually.
I like the Watch, but I am more a witches' girl, personally.
I *love* the Witches, but I have an irrational love for Sam Vimes and Angua. I think that's one of the reason why the Watch always wins.
I like the Watch, but I am more a witches' girl, personally. I'd love to be like Granny, but unfortunately, I am stuck with Nanny Ogg. Ah well.
I adore Nanny Ogg and her cookbook. *g*
Swatkat