Wonderfully wise, warm and mature light entertainment - Rated 
I had this on pre-order and also devoured it in one sitting as another reviewer comments. I am waiting to digest it so I can read it again as I'm sure I missed a lot on the first read.
However, as a HUGE Pratchett fan, I was impressed. I was impressed with his bravery in striking out in a new direction; I was impressed with the faith his publishers have in him; publishing this very new book.
For it is a very new book.
The Disk World has evolved and grown and is now careering down both legs of the trousers of time in the most amazing and enjoyable fashion. I love reading the Disk World books.
Nation is different.
Although quite clearly not set in 'our' world, it contains many lessons that should have been learned by humans and have not.
It contains decency, humanity, hope and despair.
It is also a cracking story.
There is a very villainous villain and much redemption - there is love and a very unexpected ending.
The mythology Pratchett creates is breath-taking and magical.
This man is a consummate story teller and I also hope there are many more where this came from.
If you are a fan, be prepared for something very different.
If you are new to Pratchett, dive in, you will never regret it.
Beyond himself in a way I've never seen - Rated
I've been a long standing fan of Mr Pratchett and eagerly anticipate each new book. I have long admired his translations of scientific principles and social contexts into a presentation that can be understood by all. Indeed, one of his enduring talents is to produce representations of extremely complex material in such a manner that it could be read to children.
This book however, this is beyond anything he's ever done that I've read. In absolute honesty, this work is where he has stepped out of an exceptional talent and firmly into rare genius. I always knew he was good and exceptional at translating concepts, this time however, it's so much more.
I always ascribed his abilities to express social substrate to a skill that accomplished comedians can access, manipulate, and present. This is one step beyond as, in a most complete way, he accurately represents the psychology of post traumatic stress disorder. This is not a small thing to do, it's a huge thing, beyond just translation and into the world of absolute understanding.
This makes this work a lot darker than usual, but so much more, worthwhile.
This is his finest. This is his best. This is, well, astonishing, astounding, groundbreaking, and brilliant. This work truly is his Missa pro defunctis, and it is beautiful.
Bitingly funny and touchingly sad - Rated
This is a superb book from a great author. It is NOT a Diskworld novel, however.
I have to say I was initially disappointed when that first hit me, but this was soon forgotten as I got into what is one of pTerry's best works to date. In spite of what he referred to as his 'embuggerment' he has once again delivered at the top of his game.
Devoid of any of the usual metaphors in the Diskworld, pTerry has crafted a wonderful story of people confronting what they thought they believed and a few taking responsibility for their own actions and choices. It's the theme that runs through most of his books but is delivered here harder and better, and hits closer to home.
The book was a joy to read, but not what I was expecting. Using any existing, though much loved, characters would have detracted from this gem.
Missing 30 pages... - Rated 
I am currently two thirds of the way through this book, and have thoroughly enjoyed it up until now. However disaster struck this morning when after page 353 the book reverted back to page 323, continued on for the next thirty or so pages with text I'd already read, and then jumped to page 387. I'm missing 30 pages, and things were just getting interesting. So, a warning to anyone buying this book - check before you read to save disappointment when you get there. Looks like I'm going to have to buy this book twice, here's hoping my book is a one off and worth many pennies in the future!!!
Has anyone else encountered this?
Excellent Read - Rated
Good to see TP back at his best again. Discworld or not, this book had me in stiches most of the time with Mr Pratchetts' unique and sadly accurate view on life and its many sides.
I not ashamed to say that I even shed a tear at the end.
Excellent and highly recommended.
|
