Going Completely Bursar

[Prian]

After some discussion with philsmove.......

Meant to be an homage and discussion of Sir Terence David John Pratchett (possibly the funniest author at the moment and indeed for the last 25+ years), and the Discworld series. I'm not sure how to start this off. So I will begin like this.....

I have just finished "Unseen Academicals." I did enjoy it, but perhaps not his best.

I do like the stories involving the "Watch."

I'm not sure about Tiffany Aching. I don't find them very funny and I think Terry has got her character wrong. she is supposed to be 9 in the first book, but talks like a 40 year old

[cederic]

Thief of Time is probably his best, although I have a soft spot for Soul Music (but most of my friends don't).

Unseen wasn't great, but I am tempted by Sky's live-action version of Going Postal.

Tiffany fits superbly into the mythology of witches. Talking older than she is works because of her witchcraft (and is also influenced by Susan, granddaughter of Death, another magical older-than-her-years girl). Although my exposure to 9 year old girls has been limited in the past couple of decades I do know one that in adult company does demonstrate fascinatingly adult views and mannerisms. It's only when tired or with other children that she becomes a child again.

[Prian]

Cederic

I also liked Thief of Time and Soul Music. And like you am looking forward to Going Postal. Do you know when it is be broadcast?

I will of course read the next Tiffany story which I believe is out soon, but the series remains my least favourite. I hope he soon writes another Watch story. am an especially big fan of Vimes, Colon, Nobby et all.

Has anyone listened to the audio books. I do like them and have listened to each at least 4 times. But I think that Nigel Planer reads better than Stephen Briggs IMHO.

If I am introducing someone to Pratchett though I start them with Pyramids

[philsmove]

My personal favourite is Making Money

I know many fans prefer Going Postal, l but I think it depends on which you read first, I read Making Money first


"Mr. Lipwig had been in trouble, but it seemed to Igor that the trouble hit Mr. Lipwig like a big wave hitting a flotilla of ducks. Afterward, there was no wave but there was still a lot of duck."

[Prian]

My personal favourite is Making Money

I know many fans prefer Going Postal, l but I think it depends on which you read first, I read Making Money first

I wonder if those marvelous people at sky will make "Making Money" next as a follow up to "Going Postal."

I heard it said that there is a problem with making the Watch books into film and that is Carrot. In Guards! Guards! it is inferred that he is only about 16 or 17, with bright ginger hair and built like a brick privy or Arnie.
Who would play him. Not many people fit that description and not at that age.

[jivecat]

I've only read one - a Discworld one about the Corporal Carrot. I'd assumed they were really a young-blokey sort of novel but I was incredibly impressed by the sheer creativity of the man and will certainly be reading more.
I did find the narrative slightly difficult to plough through - i was reading it in episodes at someone else's house and could never remember where I'd got up to and there didn't seem to be many markers to help me pick it up. So I guess that means not much character development but a really richly woven episodic structure. It took a long, long time to get to the crux of the plot by means of increasingly obvious clues but the real joy was the inventiveness of character and incident along the way.

[jivecat]

I heard it said that there is a problem with making the Watch books into film and that is Carrot. In Guards! Guards! it is inferred that he is only about 16 or 17, with bright ginger hair and built like a brick privy or Arnie.
Who would play him. Not many people fit that description and not at that age.

Easy enough to give someone ginger hair.

[rtwwpad]

Thief of Time is one of the best. Susan is one of his best characters. Wryd Sisters is a close second though. Anything with a Weatherwax and an Ogg in it.

[Lynn]

Oh, haven't read Making Money - must get that one.

Yeah, like Thief of Time and Soul Music, Susan is a great character, the wizards are fun, but I think I like the Watch stories best...hmmm - fav would probably be Night Watch.

[philsmove]

I see this thread has been moved :(

are Mr. Tulip and Mr. Pin going to be moderators

[Prian]

I see this thread has been moved :(

are Mr. Tulip and Mr. Pin going to be moderators
Or perhaps Mr Gryle.

But if I was in the UK now I would perhaps be voting for Vetinari as PM. Ankh Morpork indeed has one man one vote. Vetinari is the man and he has the vote.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/32/Discworld-ankh-morpork-amoswolfe.png

[whitetiger1518]

Or perhaps Mr Gryle.

But if I was in the UK now I would perhaps be voting for Vetinari as PM. Ankh Morpork indeed has one man one vote. Vetinari is the man and he has the vote.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/32/Discworld-ankh-morpork-amoswolfe.png

Wish I had that option... At least we would know where we stood..:lol:

I got introduced to the Discworld through Guards Guards and would probably send people I was introducing back to start there, but once introduced I read in whatever order the library could provide them... (I have all but Nation and Unseen Academicals now, neither of which I have read yet, so no spoilers please! )

My T Pratchett's were the only entire series to come with me when I moved into my flat.. I go and visit some books by other authors at my parent's, but there is nothing quite like Ankh Morpork to cheer you up if you are looking at 3am from the wrong direction!

Cheers WT

[philsmove]

(I have all but Nation ...


I did not like and did not finish Nation:sad:

[Prian]

Am just reading it now. Will let my views be known in a day or two

[martingold]

having read all of the discworld novels bar nation i love Sir terrance's books and eagerly await the next one to hit the shelves which is normally bought as a Christmas or birthday present from Barbs (my wife)

my opinion is if you have never read a discworld book you should start with the colour of magic as this was the first one and sets the scene

My favourite well i actually started with Soul Music and read it from cover to cover on when i was travelling to Sydney for a job i used to do that got me hooked so i guess it is my favourite

[Prian]

Have given up on Nation. Not a good effort by Terry.

Don't know if anyone has noticed but in Colour of Magic, Death actually kills people or appears to and certainly encourages people to die. But in later books is adamant that he does not kill.

A small inconsistency perhaps?

[philsmove]

Have given up on Nation. ?

Nice to know it's just me


But in later books is adamant that he does not kill.


Death does seem to mellow with age

[whitetiger1518]

Have given up on Nation. Not a good effort by Terry.

Don't know if anyone has noticed but in Colour of Magic, Death actually kills people or appears to and certainly encourages people to die. But in later books is adamant that he does not kill.

A small inconsistency perhaps?

Considering how many books Sir T has written, a few inconsistencies are inevitable. I think he does better than most at eliminating them :) It might be that as a writer gets to know a character better, they basically tell the writer how to write their own stories.

I am now imagining Vimes peering over Sir T's shoulder telling him how to write about fighting Ankh Morpork street style. :lol:

WT

[Prian]

I am now imagining Vimes peering over Sir T's shoulder telling him how to write about fighting Ankh Morpork street style. :lol:

WT


:cheers:

Speaking of which, I hope he does another Vimes/Watch book soon

[Batgirl]

Mort was my first and still my favourite.

Didn't like Nation.

Me and DTS fight over them all - I have yet to finish Unseen Ac.

Rachel
z

[cederic]

Mort was a good book, but I prefer Reaper Man - a more engaged Death, and Susan's one of my favourite characters. I have a soft spot for slim attractive intelligent women that use logic and have a strong dominant streak..

[philsmove]

... (I have all but Nation and Unseen Academicals now, neither of which I have read yet, so no spoilers please! )


Half way through Unseen Academicals (special offer in Sainsbury's) it's brilliant

[Prian]

Just watched "Going Postal."

Thought it was well filmed and quite well acted. But of course nothing like the book. Quite a let down in that respect.

Andrew Sachs was good though.

[Prian]

I think that Hogfather is most like the book. I understand that if you made a film based on a book you would have a ten hour film, but I'm sure that there is a case of giving a book to a producer and saying here is the script.

Going Postal didn't really achieve this. Hogfather did but Colour of Magic was pants. I think Nigel Planer should play Rincewind.

I did enjoy the cartoons of Soul Music and Wyrd Sisters.

Anyone know what the next film will be? I think it might be Wee Free Men

[Prian]

In Unseen Academicals the Cabinet of Curiosity produces a bouncy inflatable football as opposed to the wooden one used till then.

But in Jingo, Carrot carries an inflatable pigs bladder to play football with.

Is this an incongruity?

[Prian]

Looking forward to the new one in a month or two. I love the stories about the watch.

Has anyone ever heard one of the audiobooks?

[philsmove]

Half way through, I shall wear Midnight (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shall-Wear-Midnight-Discworld-Novels/dp/0552555592/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top)
very very good

[Prian]

I have the audio book. Is that cheating? But it does sound, at least to me more interesting as it involves Ankh. Though I've only heard an hour or so.

I must say though I prefer Nigel Planer's reading.

[marcusj]

I had all the Discworld books that were written up until a few years ago on paperback (given to Oxfam), and I have everything written by him on Kindle.

I read Wintersmith on holiday and was disappointed.

My personal favourites are the ones with DEATH in, also the early witch and guards related ones.

[gamebird]

I seem to prefer the earlier books too - but I'm not sure if that's just 'cos I've read them more often - they're like old friends or comfy jeans. Death, Mort and the witches are all faourite characters.
I saw the TV adaptations/films (?) and thought they were awful. As is so often the way with film/TV David Jason wasn't what I'd pictured at all and the books are soooo much better.

[Prian]

David Jason wasn't what I'd pictured

I agree Nigel Planer is Rincewind.

But I did think Hogfather was the best film.

[Prian]

I have just read Snuff. Or to be more honest I have just listened to the audiobook read by Stephen Briggs. I wasn't impressed. Perhaps it's one book too many what with Terry's present condition. Maybe it is just Brigg's reading style. The character of Vimes annoyed me. Every other word seemed to be damn or bloody or bastard. Now, I don't mind swearing but it's not Terry at least not in such quantity. I conducted a small survey. He uses almost as many expletives in just 3 of the later books as he does in the first 20 or so combined.

Nigel Planer is also the better reader. In my opinion.:D

[Prian]

A bit long but....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qQgWCQESgo

[Prian]

Two lovely quotes from the Terry Pratchett's 'Fifth Elephant'




"Dem diplomatics all want you to come for drinky-poos an' stories about chickens," the troll added helpfully.


"Cocktails, I think you'll find," said Vimes.






"Can you think of any reason why someone would kill him?"
The troll scratched his head. "Well, 'cos dey wanted him dead, I reckon."