I don't want to pick on a man with Alzheimer's, but considering that Nation managed to avoid most of these pitfalls, I think Terry can still do better than this
( Read more... )
I can't really see that introducing the foot-the-ball element weakened the book. OK, we might have 36 books about Discworld, but the subject just hasn't come up yet. It would be possible to read 36 books about our own world without seeing references to, say, cricket, Michael Buble, Jimmy Choo shoes or Van Gogh, yet they might still be a ligit plot hinge for book 37.
To be frank, I prefer stuff where either Vimes, Tiffany Aching or Granny (oops, MISTRESS) Weatherwax are the main protaganists, but I found a lot to like about "Academicals". As far as I can see, Nutt HAD to be a from a previously un-introduced race (though I'd have preferred a name other than "Orc", a name invented by Tolkien and not from established mythology)since it was vital that he be a strange type, whereas trolls, dwarves, vampires etc were already established races, and would not attract the same kind of prejudice (Yes, I know they attract prejudice, but of a wildly different sort than Nutt experiences).
I don't think it's any secret that Pratchett has, over the course of the Discworld saga, shifted more and more along the scale from burlesque humour to philosophy, and I for one think it's all the better for that. When I reread the earlier stuff like "Light Fantastic" I find myself longing for a bit more philosophical insight.
I do agree, though, that it isn't his best work (my own choice? "Thud", "Witches Abroad" "Night Watch" ranking about equal) but it's still a great book.
I don't think the Alzheimers is really damaging the quality of his output, though I understand that it has affected the quantity since he has to do a lot more rechecking. I agree, too, that some knowledge of British football culture is a necessary prerequisite to getting the best out of it. Some of the specialist jokes - such as the comparison between the old style football and the new, which is a definite reference to Alf Ramsay's revolutionary tactics which helped England win the 66 World Cup - are obscure at best. But then, you'd need some knowledge of ancient Egypt to really understand "Pyramids" too.
I guess that with Pratchett, even stuff that's below his best is always worth a look.
To be frank, I prefer stuff where either Vimes, Tiffany Aching or Granny (oops, MISTRESS) Weatherwax are the main protaganists, but I found a lot to like about "Academicals". As far as I can see, Nutt HAD to be a from a previously un-introduced race (though I'd have preferred a name other than "Orc", a name invented by Tolkien and not from established mythology)since it was vital that he be a strange type, whereas trolls, dwarves, vampires etc were already established races, and would not attract the same kind of prejudice (Yes, I know they attract prejudice, but of a wildly different sort than Nutt experiences).
I don't think it's any secret that Pratchett has, over the course of the Discworld saga, shifted more and more along the scale from burlesque humour to philosophy, and I for one think it's all the better for that. When I reread the earlier stuff like "Light Fantastic" I find myself longing for a bit more philosophical insight.
I do agree, though, that it isn't his best work (my own choice? "Thud", "Witches Abroad" "Night Watch" ranking about equal) but it's still a great book.
I don't think the Alzheimers is really damaging the quality of his output, though I understand that it has affected the quantity since he has to do a lot more rechecking. I agree, too, that some knowledge of British football culture is a necessary prerequisite to getting the best out of it. Some of the specialist jokes - such as the comparison between the old style football and the new, which is a definite reference to Alf Ramsay's revolutionary tactics which helped England win the 66 World Cup - are obscure at best. But then, you'd need some knowledge of ancient Egypt to really understand "Pyramids" too.
I guess that with Pratchett, even stuff that's below his best is always worth a look.
Reply
Leave a comment