Helpful Score: 2
The charismatic swindler (forced to take on the Ank Morpork Postal System as the only alternative to a hanging) Moist von Lipwigg ("I'm Moist, please don't laugh...) is right up there with Captain of the Night Watch Samuel Vimes in my list of Terry Pratchett's top characters.
The brilliant, narcissistic and ambitious Moist (I still can't get past that name) is saved from the gallows through a lucky--but not altogether uncalculated--reprieve from Lord Vetinari, and soon finds himself trying to shovel the old post office out from its present heaps of undelivered 50-year old mail, and similarly bounteous piles of pigeon guano.He is aided by Mr. Groat, descendant of the Olde post office families and with an eye for regulations and knack for natural remedies, and by Stanley, an orphan raised by peas (don't ask) and an avid collector of pins (ditto on the asking). Moist soon finds himself in a bitter rivalry with financial pirate Mr. Gilt and his Grand Trunk Company, a Discworld version of an unreliable internet provider that constantly overcharges. Things come to a hilarious head when Moist challenges the Grand Trunk to race his own post-coach to Genoa ("good luck coding those pictures in binary"). The most quotable quote is when Stanley finally goes "unpinned", and holds much relevance to all collectors of random junk": "Ahh! They're all just pins!"
Terry Pratchett continues his bizarre, hilarious, and above all readable commentary on modern society, blurred slightly through the lens of a parallel universe. Fans won't be disappointed, and newcomers should be delighted as well.
The brilliant, narcissistic and ambitious Moist (I still can't get past that name) is saved from the gallows through a lucky--but not altogether uncalculated--reprieve from Lord Vetinari, and soon finds himself trying to shovel the old post office out from its present heaps of undelivered 50-year old mail, and similarly bounteous piles of pigeon guano.He is aided by Mr. Groat, descendant of the Olde post office families and with an eye for regulations and knack for natural remedies, and by Stanley, an orphan raised by peas (don't ask) and an avid collector of pins (ditto on the asking). Moist soon finds himself in a bitter rivalry with financial pirate Mr. Gilt and his Grand Trunk Company, a Discworld version of an unreliable internet provider that constantly overcharges. Things come to a hilarious head when Moist challenges the Grand Trunk to race his own post-coach to Genoa ("good luck coding those pictures in binary"). The most quotable quote is when Stanley finally goes "unpinned", and holds much relevance to all collectors of random junk": "Ahh! They're all just pins!"
Terry Pratchett continues his bizarre, hilarious, and above all readable commentary on modern society, blurred slightly through the lens of a parallel universe. Fans won't be disappointed, and newcomers should be delighted as well.
Helpful Score: 2
One of the things I love about the Discworld series is that you don't really have to read them in order. Each book pretty much stands on its own. Going Postal is the first Discworld book I've read in a while, and I must say it's a good one. Sir Terry is in top form. The narrative flows well (I couldn't put it down). The characters are well-imagined with typical Discworld quirkiness. Fans of the series will note a few differences between this and previous books. First, the book is broken up into actual chapters with short summaries preceding them (reminiscent of "Three Men in a Boat (to Say Nothing of the Dog)"). Second, while present, Pratchett's use of footnotes is considerably less in this volume. Third, there is no mention whatsoever of The Great A'Tuin, and I don't recall there even being a mention of "The Disc". That's not a complaint, just something that fans of the series will probably take note of. Newcomers to the series will probably wonder why the series is called "Discworld". The cast of "usual suspects" is downplayed in this book, but still very present. Of those characters, the Patrician (Vetinari) plays the largest role. Death shows up only once. Archchancellor Ridcully plays a small role. Carrot shows up once. Some of the others in the Watch are also mentioned - notably Corporal Nobbs, Vimes and Angua (though she is only referred to as "the werewolf"). Despite the near absence of these characters, the new characters introduced are fun and interesting. I would very much like to see their re-appearance in future volumes (particularly the main protagonist, Moist Von Lipwig and the wonderful Adora Belle Dearheart).
Bottom line: I loved this book! I've been reading more serious fare lately, and was feeling like I needed something a little more light-hearted. This book reminded me of why I love this series so much. If you're a fan, I have little doubt that you will love this one. If you are thinking about trying the series out, this is a decent entry point.
Bottom line: I loved this book! I've been reading more serious fare lately, and was feeling like I needed something a little more light-hearted. This book reminded me of why I love this series so much. If you're a fan, I have little doubt that you will love this one. If you are thinking about trying the series out, this is a decent entry point.
Helpful Score: 2
Actually I'm amazed that this isn't on about 500 wish lists. Terry Pratchett is one of those authors who is addictive in the real sense of the word. Definitely an intelligent persons comedian who has taken satire to an entire new level. That said, while I opened this book expecting to reunite with old friends such as Sam Vimes of the Watch, DEATH, Corporal Nobbs, Cut Me Own Throat Dibbler and a bevy of Ridcully(ous) wizards I was instead introduced to a new batch of Disc World denizens every bit as quirky and fun. The storyline is quite twisty and the Post Office (and subsequently the Mint) will never be the same. I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it for readers of all ages.
Helpful Score: 1
In "Going Postal," Pratchett introduces us to Moist von Lipwig, a conman who ends up owing major debts to the Patrician of Ankh-Morpork. This is definitely my favorite novel of the Discworld.
Helpful Score: 1
My favorite of all the Discworld books that I've read. Funny, interesting, and wonderfully satirical, I enjoyed every minute. Characters to love, characters to hate, and I loved that I couldn't predict how it would end. An amazing book by an incredible author. I recommend all of his books to people I know, but this is the one I mention first.
Helpful Score: 1
Classic Pratchett! A thinly disguised take off on this world, with all of his surprising and thought provoking ideas and satire. Laughed out loud any number of times and really enjoyed myself thoroughly!
Helpful Score: 1
Absolutely one of Pratchett's best. New characters, a new angle, an entirely believable and fun story.
Very clever per usual, Pratchett's satire really shines in this book. New insight into Vetinari as well.
Another great read from Terry Pratchett!!
I absolutely love this book! I try to re-read it at least once a year because I enjoy it so much. There are parts of this book that are so funny that I still laugh out loud (literally) even though I have read it a dozen times.
A man must choose between certain death and running a post office. Certainly, running the post office shouldn't be too hard, right? I mean, there's no way your life would be in danger at the post office, right? Right?
...Right.
...Right.
Wild and zany! Everything we've come to expect from the remarkable Terry Pratchett!
From back cover:
By all rights, Moist should be meeting his maker rather than being offered a position as Postmaster by Lord Vetinari, supreme ruler of Ankh-Morpork. Getting the moribund Postal Service up and running again, however, may prove an impossible task, what with literally mountains of decades-old undelivered mail clogging every nook and cranny of the broken-down post office. Worse still, Moist could swear the mail is talking to him. Worst of all, it means taking on the gargantuan, greedy Grand Trunks clacks communication monopoly and its bloodthirsty piratical headman.
But if the bold and undoable are what's called for, Moist's the man for the job--to move the mail, continue breathing, get the girl, and specially deliver that invaluable commodity that every being, human or otherwise, requires: hope.
From back cover:
By all rights, Moist should be meeting his maker rather than being offered a position as Postmaster by Lord Vetinari, supreme ruler of Ankh-Morpork. Getting the moribund Postal Service up and running again, however, may prove an impossible task, what with literally mountains of decades-old undelivered mail clogging every nook and cranny of the broken-down post office. Worse still, Moist could swear the mail is talking to him. Worst of all, it means taking on the gargantuan, greedy Grand Trunks clacks communication monopoly and its bloodthirsty piratical headman.
But if the bold and undoable are what's called for, Moist's the man for the job--to move the mail, continue breathing, get the girl, and specially deliver that invaluable commodity that every being, human or otherwise, requires: hope.
This was the first time I have read a book by Terry Pratchett that was not co-authored by Neil Gaiman. I was not disappointed.
Pratchett definitely has a certain style, a sense of humor and razor-sharp sarcasm that were on full display in this novel. He walks the reader through the new life of Moist Von Lipwig and his job as Postmaster in the now-defunct Ankh Morpak Post Office.
This was a very fun book to read. The characters were as interesting as they were odd. The subplots of pin collecting and stamp collecting, the politics of the Post Office vs the Grand Trunk clacks system, and the issues of hope and angels and second chances were all very well done and laugh-out-loud funny.
If you are wired in such as way as to appreciate the kind of humor that Pratchett employs, then you should thoroughly enjoy this book.
Pratchett definitely has a certain style, a sense of humor and razor-sharp sarcasm that were on full display in this novel. He walks the reader through the new life of Moist Von Lipwig and his job as Postmaster in the now-defunct Ankh Morpak Post Office.
This was a very fun book to read. The characters were as interesting as they were odd. The subplots of pin collecting and stamp collecting, the politics of the Post Office vs the Grand Trunk clacks system, and the issues of hope and angels and second chances were all very well done and laugh-out-loud funny.
If you are wired in such as way as to appreciate the kind of humor that Pratchett employs, then you should thoroughly enjoy this book.
not one of the really good ones, but very fun.
It's Terry Pratchett. It's Discworld. What more can I say?
Gotta love Terry. Good book
The Discworld novels are pretty much mind candy. Amusing, entertaining, but they won't change your life. A fine diversion.
