The Last Continent by Terry Pratchett

 

The Last Continent by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Last Continent surprised me because while I knew it wasn't a favourite I really had forgotten a lot of the plot and it was almost like reading it for the first time which turned out to be a good thing. The novel is focused on the Wizards and their efforts to "cure" the Librarian (ultimately turn him back to human) but alas no one remembers his name except maybe Rincewind who after Interesting Times ended up well somewhere on the disc. As it turns out Rincewind lands on XXXX (Fourecks) the mysterious continent surrounded by a maelstrom of storms and in itself has become more myth than reality. In this place however Rincewind meets a very unusual Kangaroo and learns a little of how this place works and is manipulated or encouraged down a path which deals with time travel and paradoxes ultimately revealing the fate of the Wizards who as usual poked things that were not meant to be poked, or were they...
I came away from this novel quite pleased with it, the two story lines kept me invested and I do recall "No Worries" being an oft spoken phrase in my youth and it was hilarious as the Wizards had to not only deal with time and gods but also with Mrs Whitlow (UU Housekeeper) who got dragged along in their adventures through time and space. This also may just be my favourite outing for Rincewind, his interactions with the people of XXXX who are certainly from the Australian Trope list was super fun without the more negative element of stereotyping and his total lack of awareness with a certain group of performers felt so perfect and oh the Luggage makes his appearance. Overall well worth a read but not critical to any subset of the series.

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Jingo by Terry Pratchett

 

Jingo by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

War comes to the Discworld as age old enemies vie for control of an island (Leshp) which recently appeared off their respective coasts in the Circle Sea but dive deeper we see that political goals of certain leaders within Klatch are in play and rallying the people of that old and large nation/region against a well known foreign aggressor is a win/win scenario. Alas the decision makers (Rust and the ilk) in Ankh-Morpork prove they are no better (morals, ethics, intelligence) than their opposition as they too begin to wave the flag for war dredging up all the usual cliches and fears. Fortunately the Patrician (stepped down for the duration) has some plans and Vimes does things his own way because what is war other than a huge breach of the peace, after all no one nothing should be above the law.
Jingo is one my favourite novels as we see familiar characters having to deal with everyday things on a whole different scale with the Patrician and Vimes really shining in the narrative as well Colon and Nobby who certainly learn a thing or two. The Watch as a whole are entertaining as they take a package tour of Klatch, play some football and as usual Carrot embraces the culture and within a day fits right in and once again we see that anyone with any insight recognises his for what he is.
We can all learn lessons from this piece of fiction, it is so easy to use labels to negate the humanity and rights of our fellow humans be it for personal or political gain but the signs are always there. Jingo is simply a good read and as is the norm from Terry there is a message delivered within the humour and occasional slapstick, highly recommended.


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Hogfather by Terry Pratchett

 

Hogfather by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hogfather was one of the novels I tended to avoid, for some reason it didn't quite work for me and only recently have I started to enjoy the TV adaptation. There is no reason it shouldn't be high on the list, it has plenty of Death and Albert and Susan comes into herself along with the Death of Rats and the look into the Assassins Guild and Auditors was certainly world building. The concept of a contract being put on the Hogfather in interesting enough, the idea of negating children's belief in him through old magic is pretty inspired and Death choosing to play the part of the Hogfather is wonderful because the consequences of kids not believing in the Hogfather goes way beyond the delivery of gifts once a year. Overall I'd say it is an average Discworld novel and I think I like the TV adaptation a little more as the story is more compressed and faster paced and that doesn't hurt.


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Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett

 

Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Golems are the ultimate slave, created to labour for their owners and to obey the words written and placed in their heads but what if there was more to these "invisible" individuals...
Here we are again back in Ankh-Morpork and the watch is perplexed by the death of a Priest, museum curator, a little old lady and her grandchild and oh yes the attempted murder (not assassination) of the Patrician through poisoning (means unknown). Vimes is on the case and goes to extreme lengths to protect the Patrician after all Vimes believes if anyone gets to kill him it should be him. As the murder plot is investigated the "elite" of the city look to take advantage of the situation and it's revealed that Nobby is by convoluted means the heir to a earldom (no cash but well he would certainly make a reliable King who would need his advisors).
Terry as is the norm uses his latest novel to introduce some new characters, Cherry Littlebottom is highly significant in the big picture as is the golem Dorfl, both are stepping beyond what is expected of them and both find a home in the city. The regular characters are well catered for, Carrot and Angua are steadily developing, Nobby really shines and Vimes with Sybil begin to become the center piece of the city stories when like many I suspect it would have been Carrot to drive the series forward. Feet of Clay is a great addition to the Discworld and combines mystery and humour with style.

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