Pratchett introduced our planet to the stunning, magical magnificence of Discworld 30 years ago in 1983. I discovered him 20 years later at the age of 14. The Fifth Elephant blew me away. I had never read anything nearly like him. For years afterward I remembered words like "earlobing". Characters who stuck in my mind were courageous Commander Vimes, Sergeant Colon (who I ignorantly mistook for a blundering bad guy) and Cheery Littlebottom, the dwarf who was only beginning to identify as female in an outwardly male world.
Now it is the tail end of 2013. I've adored Terry Pratchett for precisely ten years, read nearly all his work and the ones I haven't read I have and will read early next year.
I finished Making Money in October 2011 and since then have been on tenterhooks waiting to find out how Moist would deal with Raising Taxes. I fretted that Terry might be too sick to chronicle more of Moist's adventures, or worse yet, that he would even die before he managed to finish his work and then where would all of us rabid Discworld fans be?
The joy and relief on discovering that the book had been written was marred by finding that the promised taxes would be replaced by trains - and they say taxes are one of the only sure things in life! But okay, not for nothing do we respect and revere Terry. He can do what he likes, Discworld is HIS making. If he says Steam, then Steam it is and we'll bounce in our seats with anticipation.
Alas, most of the reviews on Goodreads will tell you exactly what I think of this latest book.
I've never given a Discworld book less than five stars before - and they all totally deserved it. But this...this got two stars from me and only sheer stubborn loyalty to Pratchett granted it that second one.
As insulting as this is, the quality of writing reminded me of 50SoG. It was that bad. Practically my only comfort is that so many others have the exact same specific opinions about this book. I am truly sorry, I really am. I feel like I am betraying Pratchett in the worst way, but all I can say for him is that he does make one mad, sad, or glad. 1-39 of Discworld made me very very glad indeed. I guess I should be thankful that only #40 is making me so very sad.
P.S. Been reading the reviews for Dodger. Does no one see that he's basically just a Moist von Lipwig in London????
