Rating: Summary: Not Great. Not Bad. Review: If you are looking for a helping of humor with your fantasy, then look no further. Terry seems to be where it's at. This is the third book of his Rincewind the Wizzard saga, and it kept me smiling while I read it despite an over-abundance of silliness. Funny... yes, but almost too silly. In my opinion, this book is not as good as Colour of Magic or The Light Fantastic (the first and second Rincewind novels), but it was definitely an amusing, quick read. In this story, cowardly Rincewind, the so-called "wizzard" finds himself, unwillingly, in the middle of another quest to save the universe. This time it is from a ten-year-old boy who happens to be the most powerful human on the planet- a sourcerer! (As opposed to a mere wizard) Of course, Rincewind has his usual bevy of beyond-odd companions: The many-legged, living Luggage is back with an appetite, and instead of Cohen the barbarian... there is his daughter, Conina the hairdresser. If this kind of silliness appeals to you then get reading, because there's more where that came from.
Rating: Summary: The truth about wizards! Review: If you thought, wizards were powerful and wise men, think again. "Sourcery" is one of the funniest books I ever read.
Rating: Summary: The best Rincewind book. Review: In many respects, Sourcery is a very special book. It marks the beginning of Pratchett's evolution and transition in writing style: his later books would be more somber than the earlier ones, often having a slightly melancholy feel that I'm amazed so many people miss. Sourcery began it, and it would only get stronger as time would go on. Sourcery is about the return of a type of Sorcerer to the Discworld, a magician who is a source for magic (hence the pun) and whose emergence marks the beginning of a massive magic war between said wizards, who normally get along as well as cats in a sack. All that stands in their path is the most inept wizard to ever exist and a motley collection of characters who don't exactly inspire much confidence. As far as plots go, Sourcery is a winner. The story moves along at a good pace and mainly jumps back between Rincewind and the wizards, who are led by said Sourcerer, a small child named Coin. It's interesting to read about the wizards and their reactions to their newfound power in retrospect: in later books, Pratchett would make the wizards the focus of most of the humour in whichever books they'd be in. In this one, however, they're not as fun: indeed, sometimes the whole feel that pervades their power struggle is more sinister than humourous. There are still some very amusing moments in their side of the story, but most of it has a rather dark edge. So, of course, it is left to Rincewind and his travelling companions to provide the humour, and as usual, they deliver. Of the characters that are introduced in this book (of whom we never hear of again), Nigel, the aspiring Barbarian is probably the best. Conina, Cohen's daughter, is also very amusing, although the others' reaction to her is probably more so. The Seriph, a typical Arab Sultan (well, not so typical really) is pretty funny, although not overly so. One of the best moments in the book is when these three end up with a genie and a lamp, one who's moved on with the times. Hilarious stuff. The character of Coin is rather interesting. The boy who wreaks so much havoc upon the world is really driven by his father (whose spirit inhabits a staff -just don't even ask) and his innocence is well captured. The book also raises some disturbing questions about child abuse ('You know what happens to boys who are bad'), although the way it is handled is subtle, not heavyhanded. However, all that aside, the real triumph of the book is Rincewind. As a character, he's always been surprisingly one-dimensional (although admittedly hilarious). This book sheds light on a lot of different aspects of his character, some of which are very unexpected. His attitude towards women was never a secret, but the crush he develops on Conina is pretty funny. However, there are more interesting traits: of particular note are his lapse into a brief, but deep depression in the middle of the book, his reaction to finding the Library burned to the ground, and his reluctant, but heroic sacrifice in the end of the book. All these are so uncharacteristic of him that it's a real revelation to read of them: and of course, that makes the book all the more precious. Sadly, Pratchett would resort to Rincewind's traditional 'cowardlier-than-thou' outlook in his later books (Eric, Interesting Times, The Last Continent and The Last Hero.) The failed wizard is one of my favorite characters, and all his books are worth reading, but in Sourcery, just for once, he was something other than the utter coward he is usually portrayed as. Highly recommended.
Rating: Summary: Hilarious! Review: It wasn't exactly Pratchett's best, but daggonit it was FUNNY! I especially liked the conversation between Death and Ipslore...("What is there in life that makes living worthwhile?" "CATS. CATS ARE NICE.") Overall I recommend this book to...anyone! It's funny, has a good plot, and (best of all) it has the Luggage, Rincewind, Death, and the Librarian in it! I mean, what more could you want?
Rating: Summary: One of the Best Discworld books Review: It wasn't THE best, but it was definitely worth the read. Like all Rincewind novels, this one was hilarious. Especially when Rincewind has conversations with his conscience and his libido...It's better than The Colour of Magic, and about as good as the Light Fantasttic. It is of course about a 10 year old Sourcerer who leads all the Wizards in what is kind of like a Mage Wars, and Rincewind and Conina the hairdresser travel to Klatch with the Archchancellor's hat. They find themselves with Nijel the Destroyer, a teenager who wants to be a Barbarian hero. The Librarian tells (or rather "Ook"s) Rincewind that he must save the World and destroy the Sourcerer. This is where the famous half-brick in the sock originates.
Rating: Summary: good indeedy Review: My brother introduced me to Pratchett with this book many years ago. Since then I've read almost every Discworld book. (I say almost because I couldn't make it through Moving Pictures.) Most twice. Sourcery might be my favorite of them all. If you're just getting into Pratchett and you don't care to go in order this makes an excellent starting point. Like me, you'll probably end up going straight to the begining from there to get more Rincewind.
Rating: Summary: Yet another decent book ruined by Tony Robinson Review: Not a bad book but Tony Robinson needs to quit reading for Terry Pratchett. I don't think she catches all the jokes and that means they're not conveyed with the proper inflection to the listener. Her trying to voice the witches' voices makes you want to throw the book away and move on. Good book. Lousy reader. Bummer.
Rating: Summary: Ultra-humorous fantasy novel Review: Pratchett has a better sense of humor than any other author whose book(s) I've ever read. This book, the fifth in the Discworld series, is not quite as good as some of his later novels, but it's still quite funny. The part of this book with the over-committed genie was my favorite joke from this book. (Funny title also!)
Rating: Summary: One of the best Discworld 'apocalyptic' books! Review: Quite a few of Terry Pratchett's magnificent series of Discworld books revolve around some kind of looming apocalypse or other. This is one of the best. In 'Sourcery,' we have the Four Horseman of the Apocralypse (not a misspelling), Rincewind the incompetent "wizzard" but experienced coward, Nijel the Barbarian, Coin the seemingly omnipotent title character, and oh so many more characters. The esteemed Mr. Pratchett is obviously having fun in this book. In most of the Discworld series, actual magic is kept mostly low-key, and when it is performed, it is usually something on a small scale, say, fireballs. Here, however, uncountable numbers of wizards cast an uncountable number of spells, all of them powerful and most definitely lethal (and many with humorous side effects). This is given the highest possible recommendation!
Rating: Summary: The reluctant wizzard becomes the hero again. Review: Rincewind always seems to get drafted against his will, and this time is no exception. The catch with this recruition is that he's drafted to do something he's good at, run away! However, Rincewind overcomes everyone's expectations and truly comes into his own here. The characters in this book have more depth than the original Rincewind books (see colour of magic and the light fantastic). I really ended up liking Rincewind at the end.
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