Book Review: Dodger by Terry Pratchett
Title:Dodger
Author:Terry Pratchett
What I thought:On the whole I enjoyed this fantasy romp through quasi history. As a hero Dodger was everything you could want (brave, dashing, a scallywag, funny, downtrodden) and the story was quite interesting (mystery, intrigue, toshing, Victorian London). I loved the Victorian English and the accurate slang of the day. Reminded my of Treasure Island and all those awesome stories. Geezers and coves and whatnot. The slice of life in Victorian London was so interesting and vibrant, I could practically smell it but was glad I could not.
However I struggled with the pace of the book. Normally I devour a Pratchett in two days (or less), and alas this book took me a lot longer. It also felt like a very similiar story, Pratchett touching a plot line he really seems to enjoy: the Outsider entering another world and because of his outsider-ness is awesome. I liked the story, the first time I read it but by now though its feeling a little stale. I had the same complaint about Snuff, good but the same. Terry Pratchett for me is originality personified - taking the familiar and ordinary and spinning it into wonderful gold. Dodger came close, but felt a bit lacking I fear.
But as I said at the beginning, on the whole I enjoyed the story, loved the characters and especially Dickens (even if it felt like a rpf at times)
Author:Terry Pratchett
What I thought:On the whole I enjoyed this fantasy romp through quasi history. As a hero Dodger was everything you could want (brave, dashing, a scallywag, funny, downtrodden) and the story was quite interesting (mystery, intrigue, toshing, Victorian London). I loved the Victorian English and the accurate slang of the day. Reminded my of Treasure Island and all those awesome stories. Geezers and coves and whatnot. The slice of life in Victorian London was so interesting and vibrant, I could practically smell it but was glad I could not.
However I struggled with the pace of the book. Normally I devour a Pratchett in two days (or less), and alas this book took me a lot longer. It also felt like a very similiar story, Pratchett touching a plot line he really seems to enjoy: the Outsider entering another world and because of his outsider-ness is awesome. I liked the story, the first time I read it but by now though its feeling a little stale. I had the same complaint about Snuff, good but the same. Terry Pratchett for me is originality personified - taking the familiar and ordinary and spinning it into wonderful gold. Dodger came close, but felt a bit lacking I fear.
But as I said at the beginning, on the whole I enjoyed the story, loved the characters and especially Dickens (even if it felt like a rpf at times)