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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 12:02 pm (UTC)To me, there's definitely more of an emotional investment in the Watch books (I agree with your description of Going Postal as light and bright). I'm not sure if it's simply because so many of the characters are familiar to us now, but Pratchett seems to be able to make them resonate with much more emotion than the rest of his characters do. He used to do something similar with Granny Weatherwax and Death, but he seems to have given up on using them as main characters these days.
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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 12:42 pm (UTC)He used to do something similar with Granny Weatherwax and Death, but he seems to have given up on using them as main characters these days.
The last Witch book was Carpe Jugulum, wasn't it? I have mixed feelings about that book (and nothing but LOVE for the Witches) - parts of it worked for me, parts of it didn't. Maybe I should read it again. Hmm. But yes, I agree - there should be more Granny! I miss them! And Death too, although I still have Hogfather left. Maybe Pterry just enjoys playing with the Watch ensemble - there are *so many* amazing characters to play with.
Swatkat
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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
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Date: 2006-03-08 12:54 pm (UTC)I only have very faint memories of Carpe Jugulum, unfortunately, but I was thinking of the way Pratchett has Granny be willing to sacrifice herself, her mind, her reputation and anything else that might come in handy in order to save Lancre/whoever/whatever she's trying to defend. Lords and Ladies is the story that really springs to mind in this vein - it's such a sad story, and that's what stays with me about Vimes's stories - they're never very happy ones, although he/good may triumph by the end of the book.
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Date: 2006-03-08 04:11 pm (UTC)Carpe Jugulum is the one with the vampires. Is Lords and Ladies after that? I haven't read that one either (which, in a way, is a good thing, because i've got good books to look forward to *g*).
Swatkat
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Date: 2006-03-09 04:16 pm (UTC)I really liked both - really the only one in the series so far I really didn't care for was the rock music one.... I had to jump around alot to get through it.
I still don't think I've managed to read the watch books in order yet.... are there fan sites that give information like that?
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Date: 2006-03-10 04:32 am (UTC)and the Watch book where we meet Angua's horrible family and Sam kills her brother - that I can't remember the title of.
That would be The Fifth Elephant. Words cannot express my love for that book. And Angua. And Vimes, but that goes without saying. I haven't read Lords and Ladies yet - am planning to, because I heart Granny and Nanny. *g*
really the only one in the series so far I really didn't care for was the rock music one.... I had to jump around alot to get through it.
That would Soul Music. I'm not particularly fond of it, either (love Susan, though). I read it as a part of the Death trilogy, and coming right after Reaper Man, it's a big letdown.
The correct order for the Watch books would be -
Guards!Guards!
Men at Arms
Feet of Clay
Jingo
The Fifth Elephant
Night Watch
Thud
I started with Feet of Clay.
Swatkat
(PS - read Wicked. the universe needs you to read Wicked.)
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Date: 2006-03-11 10:00 pm (UTC)