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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “Okay, Internet, I've got a bone to pick with you: how come none of you ever told me about Terry Pratchett? Okay, so that's not entirely fair. I'm pretty sure people have told me about Pratchett and his Diskworld series before, usually working in the phrase "He's the Douglas Adams of fantasy"...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “Meh. It just didn't do it for me. Unfortunately, this book has been recommended to me so many times by well-meaning friends who know of my love of absurd British humor that it couldn't possibly live up to the hype. It suffers from The Hithhiker's Guide to the Galaxy syndrome. For years, everyone...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“Funny but I totally need more romance in my fantasy”
Gretchen T wrote this review 5 hours ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I really enjoyed this book. Very witty. It made me laugh out loud! Pratchett has an amazing imagination!”
Ayla wrote this review 7 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Meh. It just didn't do it for me. Unfortunately, this book has been recommended to me so many times by well-meaning friends who know of my love of absurd British humor that it couldn't possibly live up to the hype. It suffers from The Hithhiker's Guide to the Galaxy syndrome. For years, everyone I knew--friends, family, students, co-workers--would ask me if I had read Hitchhiker's and their mouths would drop when I admitted no, I hadn't . . . yet. Their response was always the same, "Oh, but you have to! It's like it was written for YOU!" By the time I got around to reading it, there's no way it could have lived up to the expectations I brought to the table while reading it. Ditto for The Color of Magic.
Amanda B wrote this review 9 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I'll admit, Pratchett has a way with words and there was the occasional turn of phrase in response to which I made that air-escaping-from-the-nose sound that's not full bodied enough to be considered a snort of laughter. There was the infrequent half-smile. A few head nods in appreciation of a clever conceit. But, alas, there were no tear-inducing uncontrollable fits of laughter, which is what I expected. Will I read more Pratchett? Yes, because I have at least three more books by him lying about. I just hope they're better than this.”
“Pratchett's humour and mine just don't seem to match. ”
sid_rw wrote this review 13 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I have known about Terry Pratchett for a long long time (ok so who doesn't??), and although I knew that I had to read something by him one day I wasn't really in any hurry. A few months ago a new second hand bookstore opened close to me and they had the entire Discworld series at a really cheap price, but they closed down before I could decide whether to buy them or not. More recently I started going to the library after discovering that they do have quite a few books that I would like to read, and there I was faced with Terry Pratchett again. Loads of books by Terry Pratchett that is. I knew that The Colour of Magic was the first book in the Discworld series, so I went for it even though I have read that you do not need to read the series in any particular order.
Arielle wrote this review 8 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
If you have never read any of the Discworld series before, I would say this would be a good start since it describes the concept of Discworld and includes a bit of history on it as well. It is no secret that Discworld is a flat world, supported by four elephants which are standing on a giant turtle called Great A'Tuin. This book starts in the city of Ankh-Morpork where a tourist with the name of Twoflower has just arrived accompanied by his suspicious chest referred to as The Luggage. The main protagonist of the book, Rincewind the inept wizard, finds himself a guide for the tourist and from there the journey begins. Due to a series of unfortunate events, the city of Ankh-Morpork is set on fire and the two of them find themselves fleeing for safety. Unknowing to them, their journey is controlled by the Gods, who are playing a board game. On their way, the characters end up in a temple, find themselves on an upside down mountain which is home to imaginary dragons, and finally come close to going over a waterfall at the edge of the disc when they are saved by a sea troll. They are taken to Krull, where the Krullians have built a space capsule and intend to send it to space to find the gender of Great A'Tuin.
When I started this book I wasn't sure where it was going, the strange names and whacky concepts were a little confusing. However once I got used to it I totally loved it! A lot of it is based on reality, just twisted in a way that is barely recognizable. The interesting take on the Big Bang theory, for instance, was the first thing that drew me to the story, but I will let you read the book and find out for yourself what that was about. This book is full of adventure, and with all the bizarre happenings it definitely doesn't get dull. I have also fallen in love with the characters in this book, especially Rincewind and Twoflower, even though they are quite silly. Death is a most interesting character and the same can be said for Hrun the barbarian who is obsessed with himself.
I can't help but think that this series is like The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy of fantasy. It is a very enjoyable read, and quite funny at times too. This is great for when you want a light book to immerse yourself in and forget about life's troubles. I do need one of these myself from time to time! I definitely plan to check out other books in this series. ”
“Arielle said: 4 stars
Play Book Tag Shelf wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I have known about Terry Pratchett for a long long time (ok so who doesn't??), and although I knew that I had to read something by him one day I wasn't really in any hurry. A few months ago a new second hand bookstore opened close to me and they had the entire Discworld series at a really cheap price, but they closed down before I could decide whether to buy them or not. More recently I started going to the library after discovering that they do have quite a few books that I would like to read, and there I was faced with Terry Pratchett again. Loads of books by Terry Pratchett that is. I knew that The Colour of Magic was the first book in the Discworld series, so I went for it even though I have read that you do not need to read the series in any particular order.
If you have never read any of the Discworld series before, I would say this would be a good start since it describes the concept of Discworld and includes a bit of history on it as well. It is no secret that Discworld is a flat world, supported by four elephants which are standing on a giant turtle called Great A'Tuin. This book starts in the city of Ankh-Morpork where a tourist with the name of Twoflower has just arrived accompanied his suspicious chest referred to as The Luggage. The main protagonist of the book, Rincewind the inept wizard, finds himself a guide for the tourist and from there the journey begins. Due to a series of unfortunate events, the city of Ankh-Morpork is set on fire and the two of them find themselves fleeing for safety. Unknowing to them, their journey is controlled by the Gods, who are playing a board game. On their way, the characters end up in a temple, find themselves on an upside down mountain which is home to imaginary dragons, and finally come close to going over a waterfall at the edge of the disc when they are saved by a sea troll. They are taken to Krull, where the Krullians have built a space capsule and intend to send it to space to find the gender of Great A'Tuin.
When I started this book I wasn't sure where it was going, the strange names and whacky concepts were a little confusing. However once I got used to it I totally loved it! A lot of it is based on reality, just twisted in a way that is barely recognizable. The interesting take on the Big Bang theory, for instance, was the first thing that drew me to the story, but I will let you read the book and find out for yourself what that was about. This book is full of adventure, and with all the bizarre happenings it definitely doesn't get dull. I have also fallen in love with the characters in this book, especially Rincewind and Twoflower, even though they are quite silly. Death is a most interesting character and the same can be said for Hrun the barbarian who is obsessed with himself.
I can't help but think that this series is like The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy of fantasy. It is a very enjoyable read, and quite funny at times to. This is great for when you want a light book to immerse yourself in and forget about life's troubles. I do need one of these myself from time to time! I definitely plan to check out other books in this series.
Sunflowery said: 3 stars
The first Discworld book introduces you to a world that truly is flat, a craven wizzard who only knows one spell that he's afraid to say, the first ever tourist on Discworld, and magical luggage that follows the tourist everywhere (and eats people!). The events are very random, but amusing, and the descriptions of how things work on Discworld are very tongue-in-cheek. Quite amusing!
”
“It's a fun, no thinking book. When you feel like you need a break from reality”
Dee A wrote this review Sunday, December 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Hilarious. ”
Alex O wrote this review Saturday, December 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Very funny, very inventive, and surprisingly fulfilling. Like a shorter, less heretical Good Omens. Masterfully rendered. Impeccable comedic timing.”
Brendan Cannon wrote this review Sunday, November 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
