Simply stunning
Last week, I read Terry Pratchett's novel Nation. I will, of course, ramble at length about it below, but I'll give you the one-word review now: Wow.
Now, this isn't a Discworld novel, it's clearly aimed at the YA market and it isn't funny in the usual Pratchett sense... So what makes it good?
Glad you asked. I am a confessed lover of humorous fiction. I believe people who take themselves and the world too seriously have problems. But I'm actually glad that the slapstick was absent here. You see (and you must whisper this in darkened alleys), Pratchett's writing is actually better when he isn't being funny. This comes through very well in the Tiffany Aching books, and nation is his crowning achievement.
But why? you ask.
Well, simply stated, Pratchett is a master wordsmith. He knows how to make a thrilling and colossal story resonate with readers. Not only does he keep you reading, but also keeps you interested.
But, like they say on those cheesy TV commercials, that's not all! Pratchett, you see, deals with important things. In this book, he deals with life and death, sex and responsibility, race and colonialism. And it isn't a PC nightmare. His characters are deeply human, fallible, often scared, always unsure, but good underneath and they are written with a sensitivity that brings tears to the eye. His light touch (contrast it with the heavy-handed, whiny discussions on the same topics found here on LJ) makes you feel the characters' pain, but also their hope, their happiness, and their humanity.
If you've never read a Pratchett YA book, you're doing yourself a disservice - and if you pick up Nation, you will enjoy it.
***
Another cool thing you'll enjoy is Theater 13, run by our own kmarkhoover . Old-time horror radio rebroadcast for your listening pleasure... What more could you ask ?
As to new writing, 1000 words into a new story is always a good day, and this one has zombies in it, although not in their traditional roles!
Now, this isn't a Discworld novel, it's clearly aimed at the YA market and it isn't funny in the usual Pratchett sense... So what makes it good?
Glad you asked. I am a confessed lover of humorous fiction. I believe people who take themselves and the world too seriously have problems. But I'm actually glad that the slapstick was absent here. You see (and you must whisper this in darkened alleys), Pratchett's writing is actually better when he isn't being funny. This comes through very well in the Tiffany Aching books, and nation is his crowning achievement.
But why? you ask.
Well, simply stated, Pratchett is a master wordsmith. He knows how to make a thrilling and colossal story resonate with readers. Not only does he keep you reading, but also keeps you interested.
But, like they say on those cheesy TV commercials, that's not all! Pratchett, you see, deals with important things. In this book, he deals with life and death, sex and responsibility, race and colonialism. And it isn't a PC nightmare. His characters are deeply human, fallible, often scared, always unsure, but good underneath and they are written with a sensitivity that brings tears to the eye. His light touch (contrast it with the heavy-handed, whiny discussions on the same topics found here on LJ) makes you feel the characters' pain, but also their hope, their happiness, and their humanity.
If you've never read a Pratchett YA book, you're doing yourself a disservice - and if you pick up Nation, you will enjoy it.
***
Another cool thing you'll enjoy is Theater 13, run by our own kmarkhoover . Old-time horror radio rebroadcast for your listening pleasure... What more could you ask ?
As to new writing, 1000 words into a new story is always a good day, and this one has zombies in it, although not in their traditional roles!