Discworld Read-Along #34: Thud!

Continuing my occasional series as I work my way through Sir Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, one book at a time.

Today’s entry is on the 34th book, Thud!

Discworld Read-Along #24: The Fifth Elephant

Continuing my occasional series as I work my way through the late Sir Terry Pratchett’s delightful Discworld series, one book at a time.

Today’s entry is on the 24th book, The Fifth Elephant.

Discworld Read-Along #18: Maskerade

Continuing my occasional column as I work my way through the late Sir Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, one novel at a time.

This week’s book is the 18th, Maskerade.

Discworld Read-Along #15: Men At Arms

Continuing my occasional read-through of Sir Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, one novel at a time.

Today’s entry is the fifteenth book, Men at Arms.

Discworld Read-Along #10: Moving Pictures

Continuing my occasional series as I work my way through Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, one novel at a time.

Today’s entry:  the tenth book, Moving Pictures.

Discworld Read-Along #8: Guards! Guards!

Continuing my occasional series where I work my way through Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, one book at a time.

This week’s entry covers the 8th book, Guards!  Guards!

ICYMI-Pratchett’s Discworld: An Appreciation

Terry Pratchett. 1948-2015.

Neil Gaiman recently wrote an essay about his good friend and one-time collaborator, Terry Pratchett.  Gaiman’s thesis was that, no matter how much Pratchett looked like a jolly Santa Claus in photos, and he often did, he was actually not a jolly man.  He was an angry man, and it was this anger that drove his writing.

On the surface, this does not make much sense.  Pratchett’s work was often filled with silly comedy, where ineptitude was probably the true force of the universe, and confusion the rule.  If we take his Discworld works, a series with 41 individual novels (the last one due this summer), plus numerous short stories and even an atlas, how could anyone construe anger from this man?

In retrospect, though, it makes perfect sense.  Pratchett’s work was satirical.  Satire requires holding a mirror up to humanity and society, pointing out what’s wrong with the image in the mirror, and then hoping against hope that society decides to do better as a result.  I think a certain amount of anger is highly appropriate for anyone taking up such a task.

Pratchett’s Discworld: An Appreciation

Terry Pratchett. 1948-2015.

Neil Gaiman recently wrote an essay about his good friend and one-time collaborator, Terry Pratchett.  Gaiman’s thesis was that, no matter how much Pratchett looked like a jolly Santa Claus in photos, and he often did, he was actually not a jolly man.  He was an angry man, and it was this anger that drove his writing.

On the surface, this does not make much sense.  Pratchett’s work was often filled with silly comedy, where ineptitude was probably the true force of the universe, and confusion the rule.  If we take his Discworld works, a series with 41 individual novels (the last one due this summer), plus numerous short stories and even an atlas, how could anyone construe anger from this man?

In retrospect, though, it makes perfect sense.  Pratchett’s work was satirical.  Satire requires holding a mirror up to humanity and society, pointing out what’s wrong with the image in the mirror, and then hoping against hope that society decides to do better as a result.  I think a certain amount of anger is highly appropriate for anyone taking up such a task.