GOING POSTAL
by Terry Pratchett
audio book
by Terry Pratchett
audio book
This was my first Discworld book and I'm thinking it just wasn't the right time for me. I couldn't pay enough attention to the audio book to get really involved with the story and I think much of the humor was lost because of that. I quit listening after the first two hours or so.
I'm not knocking the series though - I'll give it another try at a later date, probably starting with this book again. It is very likely that I will enjoy it, but it is just not happening for me right now.
As an aside, is this book considered Fantasy? I'm guessing yes, but I'd like to know what you all think.
[Update: I forgot to mention that I heard about this from Darla D's review.]
12 comments:
Yes, Discworld is fantasy. I'm sorry to hear you couldn't get into it! Hopefully it will work for you at another time.
Nymeth - Yeah, I'm really disappointed that I couldn't get into it, but I think a lot has to do with WHEN I was trying to listen to it. I'm pretty certain that I'll love the series once I give it a better shot though.
I had a hard time reading the beginning of the book as I do with most UK writer (I don't know why) but I pushed through and ended up really enjoying it. It was my first discworld novel too.
I'm reading my second Pratchett book right now--The Light Fantastic. I decided to read the first Discworld books before jumping into the rest of the series. I am enjoying it a lot, but the transitions are awkward for me--sometimes it takes me a minute or two to figure out what's going on. Did you get that with Going Postal? Not sure if the format stays the same throughout the series (this one doesn't have any chapters at all).
Despite all the magic and stuff, I've always mentally classified the Discworld books as science fiction. I haven't read Going Postal yet. It's on my ever teetering TBR pile.
Witches Aboard was my first Discworld and I remember posting it wasn't for me and just couldn't get into it. Nymeth gave me a link with the Discworld chart and I might give this series one more try.
While Going Postal introduces a great new character, I recommend you start with Guards, Guards or Wyrd Sisters. They are earlier books and are more focused in their story lines and number of characters.
Wyrd Sisters is the first book with the 3 witches. It is wonderful and hilarious, especially if you are familiar with Shakespeare. Think MacBeth, King Lear, Hamlet, and Richard III all smooshed into a single story, but the witches are the focal point around it all swirls.
Guards, Guards has a noir or old detective novel feel to it. It introduces us to Sam Vimes and the city Watch. A Sam Spade or Philip Marlowe -esque story. Very good and also hilarious.
Please give this series another try! It is definitely worth it!
PS Terry Pratchett calls them humorous fantasy. People who get paid more than me to write call it contemporary satire. :)
"Confuzzled" - Since I was doing the audio version I didn't have a problem with it but I just couldn't stick with it.
Trish - I didn't notice chapter breaks, but maybe the narrator didn't include them?
PussReboots - That was my initial thought ...
violetcrush - Can you send me that link? I'd love to check it out.
ella144 - Not sure that either of those titles appeal to me but I DO want to give this another go at some point. And thanks for that 2nd comment!
Going Postal and Making Money have chapter breaks; the other adult books don't. The YA books generally do have chapters.
I'm sorry this one didn't work for you (and yipes! I feel responsible) :-p
Sometimes it's just a question of timing, and it does start out with a whole lot being thrown at the reader at once. I hope it will be a better experience if you try it again at a later date.
I agree wholeheartedly with Ella144 - Guards Guards or Wyrd Sisters are the best places to start. Guards would be my first choice! My best friend struggled to get into Pratchett but I lent her Guards and she's hooked now!! The watch series is my favourite, closely followed by the witches. He draws on so much for the witches - Shakespeare, folk lore, fairy tales! Sam Vimes and Granny Weatherwax (one of the witches) are probably my 2 favourite literary characters.
Personally I would say that the first 2 books (The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic) are the worst place to start. They're the weakest books, and feel like he was just finding his feet. Absolutely love the series though, can't recommend it enough!
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