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mayoraaseiWorking life is coming home exhausted and realise with a horror that it is only Monday. LOL.
I finally finished reading Snuff. Getting old these days, can't even read books as fast as I used to (or perhaps the real reason is my shortening attention span...)
It is probably the best Pratchett book I've read for a long time, and that says a lot...perhaps a lot more about my shortening attention span than how good the book is Orz
I mean I love Going Postal!, always will, but Snuff is in another category altogether. I thought Going Postal marked a new level of sophistication in his writing. The humour was always the trademark, but the plot has always been a little lacking until maybe Going Postal (although I still felt a smidgen let down by the climax...but forgiven because Moist was so loveable).
Snuff incorporates everything that made the Citywatch series so readable, and adds more. The continuity of multiple distinctive characters is interspersed with the introduction of a large cohort of new support characters who are equally memorable. The wry but always gentle humour is there as usual. The plot is brisk and with a heightened sense of drama that suits the genre it both emulates and satirises so well.
But what I loved most was, once again for the Citywatch series, the introduction of a deep moral message, human failings that have been present since the beginning of time. The underpinning story and message will resonate with all but the most callous of us - the slavery of a disadvantaged race, legitimisation of cruelty by dehumanising the victims, and the criminal act of apathetic or fearful inaction. We don't need to look far back, or indeed, far abroad to see similar events happening in our world.
I liked how this book made a note of continuity from Thud!, as Vimes continues to confront the Summoning Dark. In a way both Vimes and Moist are similar, both keeping their inner criminals at bay - but where as Moist's is merely an impish devil, Vimes has a giant roaring beast.
But as Willikins says, Vimes is as squeaky clean as a choirboy. It was a bit startling to see Willikins suddenly elevated to his perfect "akumade shitsuji"-esque role in Snuff, but it is incredibly enjoyable and creates a wonderful partnership...but still a bit startling. Vimes has completely come into his own as the Duke of Ankh-Morpork, propped up by Commander Vimes of the Watch, with a side load of help from Sir Samuel Vimes and a last ditch effort by Blackboard Monitor Vimes...and I suppose Vetinari would smile inwardly at the thought that Vimes learned artfulness from all the interviews with the Patrician. The leopard changes his shorts after all, or perhaps...just his pants? >_>;
This is an incredibly optimistic book, in that such a terrible issue was able to end in such happy terms. The world changed because of a song, "a thing of strangely tinkling tones and unbelievable cadences". Well, because, of course, of Vimes and Sybil and everyone else who put in little efforts to get the snowball rolling, but it did, and it upended the world in one night.
It is unbelievably optimistic, but I do not dislike it.
I finally finished reading Snuff. Getting old these days, can't even read books as fast as I used to (or perhaps the real reason is my shortening attention span...)
It is probably the best Pratchett book I've read for a long time, and that says a lot...perhaps a lot more about my shortening attention span than how good the book is Orz
I mean I love Going Postal!, always will, but Snuff is in another category altogether. I thought Going Postal marked a new level of sophistication in his writing. The humour was always the trademark, but the plot has always been a little lacking until maybe Going Postal (although I still felt a smidgen let down by the climax...but forgiven because Moist was so loveable).
Snuff incorporates everything that made the Citywatch series so readable, and adds more. The continuity of multiple distinctive characters is interspersed with the introduction of a large cohort of new support characters who are equally memorable. The wry but always gentle humour is there as usual. The plot is brisk and with a heightened sense of drama that suits the genre it both emulates and satirises so well.
But what I loved most was, once again for the Citywatch series, the introduction of a deep moral message, human failings that have been present since the beginning of time. The underpinning story and message will resonate with all but the most callous of us - the slavery of a disadvantaged race, legitimisation of cruelty by dehumanising the victims, and the criminal act of apathetic or fearful inaction. We don't need to look far back, or indeed, far abroad to see similar events happening in our world.
I liked how this book made a note of continuity from Thud!, as Vimes continues to confront the Summoning Dark. In a way both Vimes and Moist are similar, both keeping their inner criminals at bay - but where as Moist's is merely an impish devil, Vimes has a giant roaring beast.
But as Willikins says, Vimes is as squeaky clean as a choirboy. It was a bit startling to see Willikins suddenly elevated to his perfect "akumade shitsuji"-esque role in Snuff, but it is incredibly enjoyable and creates a wonderful partnership...but still a bit startling. Vimes has completely come into his own as the Duke of Ankh-Morpork, propped up by Commander Vimes of the Watch, with a side load of help from Sir Samuel Vimes and a last ditch effort by Blackboard Monitor Vimes...and I suppose Vetinari would smile inwardly at the thought that Vimes learned artfulness from all the interviews with the Patrician. The leopard changes his shorts after all, or perhaps...just his pants? >_>;
This is an incredibly optimistic book, in that such a terrible issue was able to end in such happy terms. The world changed because of a song, "a thing of strangely tinkling tones and unbelievable cadences". Well, because, of course, of Vimes and Sybil and everyone else who put in little efforts to get the snowball rolling, but it did, and it upended the world in one night.
It is unbelievably optimistic, but I do not dislike it.
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Date: 2011-11-07 02:34 pm (UTC)I've noticed this in myself, too. Although I can still read newspapers and written things on the internet really fast so I might have to admit that it really is a short attention span on my part.
I almost forgot that Pratchett has a new Vimes book! (And I agree that it wasn't until Going Postal that he started having well-plotted books). Must check it out!
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Date: 2011-11-08 10:29 am (UTC)Snuff is a lot lighter. It must be the country air XD
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Date: 2011-11-07 09:06 pm (UTC)ahahaha this is so accurate.
I agree it was really fun and optimistic. This and Going Postal are def my two favorites of the series, they both have that same quality in making me smile as I read.
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Date: 2011-11-08 10:34 am (UTC)Willikins was WAY too kick-ass LOL Even Vimes...the way he spun Feeney around his finger was just wayyyy too Vetinari LOL I guess it's time he matured though, he's been bumbling around awkwardly for a long time, but it's just the first time we've seen him so self-assured.
I was shocked that Young Sam is already seven!!! I will be very very very sad if at some point some major character in the Watch dies =0=!!!! Or if Vetinari dies =OOOOOO