... The book was reviewed on the BBC and the Discworld phenomenononon was on. People were talking about this book. Another followed and that was also bought and so it has progressed to this date.
The Discworld phenomenonon has also had other far reaching effects with other persons. People ... Read review
Advantages: An evolving fantasy series Disadvantages: Some persons do not like fantasy
...1983 something happened that changed the nature of reality for all time. A, to then, not very successful author wrote a book. This book was not expected to be any great success following on from some previous published books.
But something happened. The book was reviewed on the BBC and the Discworld phenomenononon was on. People were talking about this book. Another followed and that was also bought and so it has progressed to this ... ...with other persons. People read the books and imagined what the characters would look like and then made them. Clarecraft for instance. The books were turned into plays and have proved to be very popular. There have been other sorts of marketing. Badges and conventions. The appeal is universal with books and plays being translated into other languages. People will spend time to get the jokes right in their own language. Fans will pay quite high prices ... more
Back in 1983 something happened that changed the nature of reality for all time. A, to then, not very successful author wrote a book. This book was not expected to be any great success following on from some previous published books.
But something happened. The book was reviewed on the BBC and the Discworld phenomenononon was on. People were talking about this book. Another followed and that was also bought and so it has progressed to this date.
The Discworld phenomenonon has also had other far reaching effects with other persons. People read the books and imagined what the characters would look like and then made them. Clarecraft for instance. The books were turned into plays and have proved to be very popular. There have been other sorts of marketing. Badges and conventions. The appeal is universal with books and plays being translated into other languages. People will spend time to get the jokes right in their own language. Fans will pay quite high prices for some of the rarer Discworld memorabilia, I know as I have done it myself.
This is not the normal state of things for a fantasy universe. When did you see any merchandise for "Lord of the Rings" before it was a major feature film?
So just what is the Discworld. Basically it is a world that is a flat dish shaped disc, riding on the back of four elephants and carried in turn on the back of a great space going turtle. This world has its own little Sun and moon. This must be one of the only places in the multiverse where an elephant sometimes has to cock a leg to let a sun go by! It is a world of seas and continents, with mountains and deserts and a whole diverse range of people and animals. The peoples include the Human and also Dwarf, Troll, Gnomes and even Pictsies. There are also Elves nearby. The humans include such species as Vampires, Werewolves, Zombies, Wizards and Witches. Here magic can work, but possibly not as you would expect. There are occasions when a hole is blown in the fabric or reality and then the creatures from the Dungeon Dimensions may come through( all teeth and tentacles).There is a great similarity to our own world but there is a difference as well. The fauna of the Discworld is also subtly different from that found on our world. Well you would hardly expect it to be completely the same would you?
It is almost as if the Discworld actually exists somewhere and Mr Pratchett is the chronicler of the events. The Discworld gets into your head, or perhaps it was always there. Take for example the various people. Some of them have been depicted by the artist Paul Kidby. Now with other fantasy books people have their own ideas as to what each character will look like. Here most persons will say, " Oh, That is just how I imagined him/her/it".
For most people their first book had a cover on it by Ronald (Josh) Kirby who did all the covers until his death on 23rd Oct 2001. For most people the book and a Kirby cover are firmly linked. Recent books have had some fine covers by Paul Kidby, The Night Watch is a particularly fine example.
Since its arrival in this world, the Discworld has aged and changed. Characters have come and gone. Some characters have matured with the passing of the various stories. Even Ankh-Morpork, the Discworld's greatest city has changed. The technology has evolved. There are now the Clacks, a system where a message can be sent at the speed of light across the continent by a series of semaphore towers. The Dwarves even have something like an underground railway. It is only a matter of time before there is one in Ankh- Morpork. It would not surprise me if Lord Vetinari, the Patrician, gave the matter to Leonard of Quirm to look into. Him being the resident genius. Nor would it surprise me if they came across something by B S Johnson during the construction.
And that is where this series of books has the advantage I feel over some other types of fantasy world. This is a growing and evolving world, not a static backdrop where a character can play out his quest or whatever. I am not knocking the "Harry Potter" books, but can you see any other stories in that world where Harry Potter was not the major character?
Here on the Discworld, characters have evolved like living beings. What may have been a minor character in one book seems to take on a life(?) all of their own and is soon staring as a major character. For example, The Death of Rats is a minor character in Reaper Man but there is just something about him. Now the stories would be poorer without him. Agnes Nitt was a minor witch wannabee at first but has progressed and aged through other stories and is now a junior witch. There may be other tales with her in the future. That is up to Mr P of course. The Watch, was a sordid collection of drunks and looser but now they stand ready to seriously prod buttock!
There are so many other examples that I do not want to add spoilers for anybody who has not read these works yet. This series is a living, evolving work. And that is what makes it so special to my point of view. If you do not recognise the names or the allusions, please read the books. You will not regret it.
Here we not only have a world, but we have the address of the characters as well. You feel that you could well go and find the character and talk to them. This may be a bit difficult in some places as the natives are not always friendly. For instance you know where the Opera House is located and you could call in at The Mended Drum. This does not happen in the routine fantasy novels. The ideas of the Discworld seem to have percolated into our world and then been represented on mapps and other illustrations. There have been and are maps of some of the other fantasy worlds but not in as much detail as here. There is even a mapp of where DEATH has his home complete with a "Welcome" mat at the door.
There is a humour here that ranges from the broad to the very subtle. There are plays on words and elaborate descriptions of places and events that will have you either exploding in laughter or uttering a heartfelt groan. And here is a point of difficulty. Such is the popularity of these works that it is almost impossible to wait until you are home alone before you start to read if you have bought a book from a normal bookshop. (Of course if you have bought from an online bookstore you will not have this problem.) People can give you the strangest looks when you suddenly explode into laughter in a city street or perhaps on a bus. ( I have done this also and frightened a lady and small daughter)
Terry Pratchett was awarded an OBE in 1998 and has gained some awards for his writings. But there would never be a Booker prize. Personally I would like him to get The Nobel Prize, but I think that is not likely. There appears to be something where an author who is fantastically popular does not meet some vague criteria for critical success with the literary establishment.
Mr Pratchett is a very pleasent person. I have met him several times when I have travelled to get books signed by him, and I have travelled miles to other cities. He always seems to recognise me also. And to think I nearly missed all this. When the first book came out I did not notice it but it was pointed out to me by the bookshop owner as one I might enjoy. He was right and I have tried to get every book published since.
So I would urge anybody who has not yet read any of these works to try them. You may feel that this is not your style or that you do not like fantasy. But these books seem more than any other fantasy. They take a fantasy and hold it up and turn it around so that we can see it from a new aspect. It is almost as if The Discworld was somewhere near and we could get there. There may be a way because Rincwind managed to get here in unusual circumstances. So with some 30 main stories and several others about aspects of the Discworld and all the mapps you have some reading to do. Best get started now.
As final words I would just like to say.." Joy, you unboot now, and Up, your bottom". Ankh-Morpork always welcomes invaders who have money to spend. If you are in The Drum any Octeday make your self known, a brief scream is all that is required, and I will stand you a drink. Otherwise found in The Bucket on Gleam Street after shift.
Colonel John. Major in Ankh-Morpork standing army(when not sitting down) {retired}. Now acting Special Constable.
***Getting copies. Generally you will find copies listed at Amazon.co.uk and all major bookshops. Shop around and see what you can find.
Coloneljohn 21.06.2006 (21.06.2006)
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Review of The Discworld Series - Stephen Briggs, Terry Pratchett
Advantages: Fantastic Characters, Exhilarating Stories Disadvantages: Not enough of them!
Even at the tender age of eight, I was addicted to reading about magical fantasy worlds, populated by mythical creatures, witches and occasionally the odd barbarian. I had the standard introduction to this kind of fiction - The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings series, Dune and The Hitchhiker's Guide all spring to mind as prime examples of the kind of Worlds and writing that interested me. Over years, I assumed, I would grow out of reading fantasy type ... ...Fortunately for me, it was the first in the Discworld series - The Colour of Magic. Since then, I have been addicted to these books, and haven't missed one yet. Now you should probably be aware that this review is going to be very long, so I highly recommend you make a cup of tea, or get yourself another beer before you get into the opinion itself...
##### Introduction #####
Terry Pratchett's Discworld series is a loosely connected set of books ...
ILoveJackDaniels 05.04.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Discworld Series - Stephen Briggs, Terry Pratchett
Advantages: Funny, Imaginative, Colourful Disadvantages: Despite the fantastic nature some scenes may be unsuitable for kids.
...creative writing as opposed to the tried and tested “say what you see method”. To this end, I’ve written this piece (although its not exclusive) to advocate the Discworld novels to those who haven’t tried them. The architecture, characters and cuisine are all probably soundly trademarked by one Mr. Terry Pratchett, author of the Discworld stories, but I’m sure he wouldn’t mind me pinching them if it got him more ... ...stood in front of the large gates that supply one of few legitimate entrances in to the city of Ankh-Morpork. Ankh-Morpork. The city sits upon Discworld, a disc shaped world that resides on four elephants, who in turn are transported through the cosmos on the back of “The Great A’Tuin” space turtle.
The walls of the city ran in both directions and as I stepped up to the gate I was greeted with a friendly “who goes there?” ...
SlyClone 06.10.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Discworld Series - Stephen Briggs, Terry Pratchett
Advantages: Bluddy funny! Not too heavy reading. Disadvantages: None
...started reading discworld books at the age of twelve and have now read every book in the series. The main reason I like these books is because they're dead weird like me, but the other reason is they're dead funny.
There are 27 books in the series as far I know(please can somebody correct me if i'm wrong), and they are all based on the discworld, a flat disc of land, flying through space on the back of a giant turtle(or more precisely, the backs ... ...A group of witches in the Ramtop mountains. Including, Granny Weatherwax, Nannny Ogg, and Magrat garlic.
-The Watch: The city watch of the disc's main city, Ankh-Morpork. This includes, Commander Vimes, Captain Carrot, Srgt Angua(a Wherewolf), Srgnt Colon, Srgnt Detritus(A troll), and Corporal Nobbs(Species unknown).
-Rincewind The Wizard: A failed wizard who learnt a hugely dangerous spell at university and has since been unable to learn any other ...
The_Anti-Santa 09.05.2001 (12.05.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Discworld Series - Stephen Briggs, Terry Pratchett
Advantages: Very good books Disadvantages: You may laugh out loud on a train!
...who do not know about the discworld i'll give you a brief rundown.
Witches - Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg are the main ones and they live in Lancre. These two people could rule the world. Granny is prim and proper and one of the most powerful witches ever and Nanny is mother or mother in law to most of the people in Lancre - she is rude and the typical example of an embarrasing nan. The books that feature them will be very funny and have you ... ...actual storyline in them than the others. They tend to feature the watch trying to solve a particular crime of some sort - weather it be a thief, a murderer or a dragon who is burning down houses. They are based around the city watch who are a bit like the London Met but with no skills at all. Their commander if Sam Vimes who is a sarcastic, cynical and 'been their, done that' kind of guy. These books may get you looked at funny as you sit on a train ...
smallwren 17.03.2004 (18.03.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Discworld Series - Stephen Briggs, Terry Pratchett
Advantages: Creative, fun, a real yet unreal work, a great escape Disadvantages: addictive, may drive you potty
One of the best series of books ever in a universe that holds a warped mirror up to the real world - where myth becomes reality.
Welcome to a fantasic world of witches with warts, sorcery with added ketchup, where DEATH goes on holiday, where bobbys are sammys and the world is a flat planet (disk)resting on the shoulders of four giant elephants who inturn stand on the shell of a turtle.
And of course Gods also exist, so if you dont believe in them ... ...Don't forget the Oh-Gods - the god of hangovers etc.
The humour and word plays are really clever with the "music with rocks in it", "moving pictures" and many more.
OK so I can't write anything that'll do justice to the series and excellent writing of Terry Practchett. So buy one today - but beware they're addictive and highly funny.
I started reading Discworld from the first book "Colour of Magic" through the series in order until I fell in love ...
dizzybim 09.03.2004
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