Anyhow, that's all I'll say about the plot, since the whole thing is so wonderfully absurd that even the tiniest of developments, the most off-the-cuff remarks have a man in some kind of hysterical frenzy or other.
The characters are brilliant, especially the likes of the young fella obsessed with pins. "Ask me about pins" says a sign around his neck. Brilliant.
I presume Pratchett has spent his career building this universe, and it shows. Although we rarely leave the city itself, every detail is beautifully realized. Images flooded the Skull de Duke, the prose bringing to mind the crushingly mundane future-time of the aforementioned Mr Gilliam and his masterpiece Brazil, or the oppressive urban gothic of Marc Caro and Jean-Paul Jeunette's Delicatessen.
The turn of phrase is delightful, with Pratchett managing to make a conversation about a fella with wings on his sex limb seem neither vulgar nor "adult". You might know it's a knob he's talking about, but you might not, so don't get too worried about the 12-year-old picking it up.
I mean, as if 12-year-old's need Terry Pratchett to tell them anything in this day and age. Half of them are married with seven children before they reach High School.
So what The Duke would suggest is that if you held off reading Pratchett on account of you didn't know where to start, pick up Going Postal, since not only is it a motherfucking masterpiece, but even folks like me who know not a damn jot about the fella's writings can get engrossed a couple paragraphs in.
And to the folks who assume these things to be no more than Lord Of The Rings or Dune style gubbins, think the hell again. This is some wickedly subversive, incredibly intelligent, and funny-as-all-hell shit, is what.
Thanks folks
The Duke resides at Mondo Irlando
Article comments
1 - Aaman
For a non-follower of pterrry, as he is known on Usenet, you've done a great job with this review, Duke. Most of the characters are indeed from previous tales of the vast alti-verse that is Discworld. The most sorely missed character in this one is Death who SPEAKS LIKE THIS, and has a view on life, well, all his own.
Lord Vetinari is a real master at manipulation, as you've doubtless seen from "Going Postal" - I compared him to someone real in an earlier post.
Pterry is going to continue writing till they nail him in his coffin, and perhaps after that too - enjoy the reading - you've got about 25 other books to go.
2 - The Theory
I love Pratchett... I've read a handful of the Discworld novels, which I don't think need to be read in order, as there isn't any continuing storyline, nor a solid re-occuring character who takes the hero role in each book. My favorite thing he's done has to be "Good Omens", which he co-wrote with Neal Giaman. One of the best books ever.
3 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Thanks folks!
Aaman, i've heard about the death character, and one time went so far as to lift Deat Takes A Holiday (i think that's what it was called) from the shelves with the intent of purchase. In the end i think i bought something obscenely violent by Clive Barker.
Theory, i'll check out Good Omens. It does me good to know there's no particular narrative continuity going on.
Incidentally, do either of you know if the animated thingys are any good?
Cheers
4 - Forough Farshad
Dear Mr.Pratchett
I have read your book(A Hat full of Sky)and there are some words and expressions I can't get through.I couldn't find other ways to contact you since I live in Iran.Is it possible I ask you the questions through email?It will be very nice of you to answer my mail.Your answer is very important for me.
Thank you
Forough
5 - Aaman
Try [edited -- no emails please, even when being helpful 8-)] - but don't spam
6 - Victor Plenty
Asking people "please don't spam" is a bit futile in a forum that is itself frequently targeted by spambots.
7 - MKK
Pratchett definitely on teh up again (I was doubtful after 'A Hat Full Of Sky') - I daresay this may even be [one of] his best yet.