Hogfather - Terry Pratchett > Reviews > It's so good... it shouldn't be allowed

Author's product rating:   

Would you listen to it again?	Absolutely
Story	Outstanding
Characters	Outstanding
Listenability	Once you start it, you won't be able to switch it off!
How does it compare to similar audio books?	Excellent
How does it compare to audio works by the same author?	Not applicable

Advantages:	It's simply brilliant
Disadvantages:	Er, none?

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

‘Hogfather’. A title which makes you think of pigs, boars, and well, other disgusting things. Not of Father Christmas. However, the Hogfather is the Discworld equivalent of the jolly fat man, with a slight twist of typical Pratchett humour and irony. Pratchett has written about lots of things in his Discworld novels- China, the end of the world, the discovery of the cinema. All have been handled beautifully. However, I couldn’t help feeling that dealing with the death of Father Christmas might be just a little beyond Pratchett’s abilities. It’s not something you really want to read about, is it?

And so it was that I entered Terry Pratchett’s 20th outing in his Discworld series, looking forward to it as much as I was apprehensive Pratchett had bitten off a little bit more than even he could chew. I should have had a little more faith. After just a few pages I could see that Pratchett was on top form. From Susan’s first encounter with the monster, to Ridcully’s insistence that the sealed bathroom be opened, this is enthralling stuff. However, you do have to wonder how Pratchett carries off such an obscure story line.

In truth, it’s easy to see how he does it. Whilst the story line is indeed obscure, it’s one of his best yet. The auditors of reality have decided to kill the Hogfather, and choose a bunch of cut throats led by the assassin Teatime to do so. Death must assume the role of the Hogfather for the night to help thwart the auditor’s plans. At the same time he must ensure that his granddaughter, Susan, puts an end to Teatime’s evil escapades and ensure that the Hogfather lives to see another Hogswatch. To shorten what happens, she succeeds, and he does.

Yet whilst it might sound a bit clunky and bizarre, it really is surprisingly easy to follow. For a start there’s lots of little intricacies all over the place that add to the strength of the storyline. The death of the Hogfather sees lots of little deities spring up in his place, and the introduction of the veruca gnome, the sock eater and the oh God of Hangovers are essential to making the book so funny. Indeed, the characters used in the book must rank alongside the best Pratchett has ever used. Death, as always, is hilarious, witty and downright strange. The idea that the grim reaper could take the job of Father Christmas is so perverse that to make it as funny as it is would take a very twisted mind indeed. Pratchett either has that, or is so full of inspiration it is untrue. Either way, he is devilishly funny. Similarly, the other characters are equally effective. Teatime is portrayed as a psychopath trained as an assassin, who, whilst having no feelings, is perhaps just a little misguided. Susan, as the granddaughter of Death is once again shown to be mentally unstable, trying to assume the role of a Human set against the backdrop of her being the granddaughter of the grim reaper. Indeed, such is the strength of Pratchett’s writing that the reader ends up sympathising with the outlaws Teatime recruits, despite the fact they are hardened killers!

No prizes for guessing that I found this book brilliant! I have to be honest and say it’s probably not the best book I’ve ever read, and I’m sure I’ll read better books in the future. However, it certainly is the best book I’ve experienced by Terry Pratchett, and I’ve experienced them all, whilst loving most of them. Pratchett’s wit and humour are infectious, the storyline is coherent throughout and doesn’t tail off towards the end (as some of his novels have done), and it is funny from start to finish. In short, if you want a book which is humorous, witty, funny and well written then look no further, you’ll struggle to find a better one written in the last two or three years!