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?
Excellent
Advantages:
Pratchett's best novel in my humble opinion
Disadvantages:
Some may consider it lightweight
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Terry Pratchett is the award-winning author of the Discworld series. Unfortunately, he is a writer of fantasy novels and as such is often ignored by serious readers. For those of you whom have never read a Pratchett novel you have no idea what your missing, for those of you that have come with me and reflect on possibly his greatest work.
The Hogfather is the twentieth in a long line of Discworld novels. The Discworld is a round flat land which balance precariously on the back of for giant elephants which in turn stand on Great A'Tuin the sky turtle which swims through space to unknown destination. Only on a land such as this could dwarves, trolls, vampires, humans and Nobby Nobbs exist. Get it, got it, good lets move on.
The plot centres on my two favourite Discworld characters Death and Susan, Death's Granddaughter whom both act as narrators throughout. The Hogfather (the Discworld's very own version of Santa Claus) is missing presumed dead and as such someone has to take his place to ensure children continue to believe, step forward Death! Meanwhile strange things are happening in the sprawling Metropolis of Ankh Morpork. Strange beings are popping into existence such as the Verruca Gnome and the Oh God of Hangovers. Step forward Susan, Governess and Bogeyman killer whom needs to get to the bottom of a very important question: Where do all the teeth go?
Hilarious and apt the Hogfather explores the true meaning of Hogswatch in Pratchett's own inimitable fashion. Death is a superb character in this novel as his literal take on the naughty or nice theme is side splittingly funny. "Did you check the list?" YES. TWICE. ARE YOU SURE THAT'S ENOUGH? Pratchett asks a poignant question in what would happen if all children got what they wanted for Christmas? My main reason for loving this novel I have to admit is the inclusion of nearly all my favourite characters the Death of Rats (an anthropomorphic personification) makes an appearance as does Archancellor Ridcully.
What makes any Pratchett novel is the quotes and asides which are ever prevalent throughout this one. Take this observation on agnostics as a perfect example.
This is very similar to the suggestion put forward by the Quirmian philosopher Ventre, who said, "Possibly the gods exist, and possibly they do not. So why not believe in them in any case? If it's all true you'll go to a lovely place when you die, and if it isn't then you've lost nothing, right?" When he died he woke up in a circle of gods holding nasty-looking sticks and one of them said, "We're going to show you what we think of Mr Clever Dick in these parts..."
For me this is the perfect Pratchett novel as it appeals to avid readers of his work as well as being an ideal beginner’s novel. No knowledge of Discworld is required for this one and few jokes are exclusive to avid fans unlike many other works of his.
At a mere 285 pages this novel flies by and is told in a rapid fashion. As such some may say it is lacking in characterisation. I say it is a good story, well told and Pratchett leaves characters to be characterised by the reader.
If you have never read Discworld read this to start with. If you have and haven't read this buy it now (I picked it up of ebay for the paltry sum of £3.50 HB).
I will finish with some of my favourite quotes:
"Real children don't go hoppity-skip unless they are on drugs."
"Biers was where the undead drank. And when Igor the barman was asked for a Bloody Mary, he didn't mix a metaphor."
"It's a sad and terrible thing that high-born folk really have thought that the servants would be totally fooled if spirits were put into decanters that were cunningly labelled backwards. And also throughout history it has been a butlers duty to top up said spirits with eniru".
Hogfather - Terry Pratchett
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