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Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Books: More Discworld...
I'm just finishing up Witches Abroad, the first Discworld novel I've read featuring the witches. I think I have a new hero. I want to be Granny Weatherwax should I ever have to grow up...
I really should read these, I think. Where do I start?
I also wanted to let you know that the google ad right at the top of your page reads: "Iraq War: Cindy Sheehan is a true patriot. Depleted Uranium slowly kills Iraq war veterans."
Boy, there's some context-insensitive advertising for you!
Re: Discworld. They say you're supposed to start at the beginning (The Color Of Magic), or you could follow several of the recommended story arc suggestions found at, say, Wikipedia. Or you could do what I did: Grab a couple, and start reading, and then buy more and read them, etc. I've not been disappointed. :)
While my favorite stories are the ones centering around Vimes, Carrot, Angua & co, the witches are a close second. You have several excellent novels ahead of you.
"Guards, Guards" is a good start for the Sam Vimes/Carrot Ironfoundersonn story line, and "Mort" is where we find out about Death (as a personage).. Both are quite funny as well.
If you start at the beginning you will get a sense of just how put upon Rincewind is and just how twisted Terry Pratchett's mind can be. All are recommended....
Just finished "Making Money", part 2 of the adventures of Moist Von Lipwig, confidence trickster and accidental social climber. I should have read "Going postal" first, but don't think I've lost out much. My favorites are "Guards! Guards!" and "Reaper Man" the book dedicated to THE MAN WHO TALKS IN CAPS. Of course, "The Color of Magic" and "The Light Fantastic" are the first and very worthy books but those two really have to be read in order since they're basically one book divided in half.
If you are enjoying the witches, next time you're book hunting swing by the juvenile section and see if they have "The Wee Free Men" or the sequel "Hat Full of Sky", both about the career of young Tiffany Aching, witch in training. Granny Weatherwax appears in both.
I guess I'm the odd one out. I never got into the Weatherwax books. I just kept thinking how much cooler it would be if Vimes 'n his crew were dealing with it.
I love the stuffing out of Granny Weatherwax and wanted to be her until I figured out she's a teetotaler. Now, Nanny Ogg, on the other hand, knows how to kick up her heels. Still, Granny's from Bad Ass, and I've always called you a badass.
Breda: There's also one for Soul Music, which is better IMO, if you've got it availible. The Wyrd Sisters movie suffered a bit on account of having Magrat in it if you ask me, but I digress. ('Course most everyone has already gushed over the recent Hogfather movie, so I'll let that one alone)
Tam, one nice thing about Granny Weatherwax is that you don't have to grow up in order to be like her. After all, "growing up" is largely a process of reluctantly adapting to how the world works. But Granny doesn't do that. She makes the world adapt to how she works.
I think my favorite scene out of Witches Abroad is Granny beating down the card sharper in the riverbank saloon. Did you know some slightly overenthusiastic people have actually devised a real-world version of Cripple Mister Onion?
"Nae king, nae quin, nae master, nae lord, we won't get fooled agin" Read any of the Tiffany Aching books and enjoy the Nac Mac Feegle. "Ye can take oor lives but ye canna take oor troosers"
I really should read these, I think. Where do I start?
ReplyDeleteI also wanted to let you know that the google ad right at the top of your page reads: "Iraq War: Cindy Sheehan is a true patriot. Depleted Uranium slowly kills Iraq war veterans."
WTH?
Boy, there's some context-insensitive advertising for you!
ReplyDeleteRe: Discworld. They say you're supposed to start at the beginning (The Color Of Magic), or you could follow several of the recommended story arc suggestions found at, say, Wikipedia. Or you could do what I did: Grab a couple, and start reading, and then buy more and read them, etc. I've not been disappointed. :)
I always figured, Witches-wise, that Agnes (you'll meet her in Maskerade or Carpe Jugulum) is my present and Granny is my future.
ReplyDeleteWhile my favorite stories are the ones centering around Vimes, Carrot, Angua & co, the witches are a close second. You have several excellent novels ahead of you.
ReplyDelete"Guards, Guards" is a good start for the Sam Vimes/Carrot Ironfoundersonn story line, and "Mort" is where we find out about Death (as a personage).. Both are quite funny as well.
ReplyDeleteIf you start at the beginning you will get a sense of just how put upon Rincewind is and just how twisted Terry Pratchett's mind can be. All are recommended....
Just finished "Making Money", part 2 of the adventures of Moist Von Lipwig, confidence trickster and accidental social climber. I should have read "Going postal" first, but don't think I've lost out much.
ReplyDeleteMy favorites are "Guards! Guards!" and "Reaper Man" the book dedicated to THE MAN WHO TALKS IN CAPS. Of course, "The Color of Magic" and "The Light Fantastic" are the first and very worthy books but those two really have to be read in order since they're basically one book divided in half.
If you are enjoying the witches, next time you're book hunting swing by the juvenile section and see if they have "The Wee Free Men" or the sequel "Hat Full of Sky", both about the career of young Tiffany Aching, witch in training. Granny Weatherwax appears in both.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm the odd one out. I never got into the Weatherwax books. I just kept thinking how much cooler it would be if Vimes 'n his crew were dealing with it.
ReplyDeleteI should probably give it another shot.
I love the stuffing out of Granny Weatherwax and wanted to be her until I figured out she's a teetotaler. Now, Nanny Ogg, on the other hand, knows how to kick up her heels. Still, Granny's from Bad Ass, and I've always called you a badass.
ReplyDeleteWyrd Sisters is the best place to start the witches arc.
ReplyDeleteI just checked the library catalog and did you know that there's a 3 part Wyrd Sisters movie?
ReplyDeleteBreda: There's also one for Soul Music, which is better IMO, if you've got it availible. The Wyrd Sisters movie suffered a bit on account of having Magrat in it if you ask me, but I digress. ('Course most everyone has already gushed over the recent Hogfather movie, so I'll let that one alone)
ReplyDeleteTam, one nice thing about Granny Weatherwax is that you don't have to grow up in order to be like her. After all, "growing up" is largely a process of reluctantly adapting to how the world works. But Granny doesn't do that. She makes the world adapt to how she works.
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite scene out of Witches Abroad is Granny beating down the card sharper in the riverbank saloon. Did you know some slightly overenthusiastic people have actually devised a real-world version of Cripple Mister Onion?
The movies are on YouTube in pieces. I just watched 'Hogsfather'.
ReplyDeleteExcellent beyond words.
"Nae king, nae quin, nae master, nae lord, we won't get fooled agin"
ReplyDeleteRead any of the Tiffany Aching books and enjoy the Nac Mac Feegle.
"Ye can take oor lives but ye canna take oor troosers"
Tam, as far as I'm concerned, ye hae th' knowin' o' th' haggin' already (you'll know once you read "The Wee Free Men").
ReplyDeleteWha hae, Nac Mac Feegle!