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Carpe Jugulum

Carpe Jugulum

List Price: $6.99
Your Price: $6.29
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: He's done it once again.
Review: Once more, Pratchett has used his talent to take us back to Discworld. This time it's the witches of Lancre vs. vampyres. The witches prove once again who's boss, but not without some trouble on the way! A must read.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Pratchett remains at par with himself...
Review: I've was introduced to the odd world(s) of Pterry (that is, Terry Prattchett) only months ago... I have devoured his books and loved every one of them... even the ones considered "weak", like one of my favorites, Interesting Times... it could be because Pratchett books are hard to find in Looahvul or just because unlike what some may think, perhaps Pratchett does get better with age...

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A great plot with a little too much talking in it
Review: This book is a MUST for all who love Pratchett and/or vampires, especially for those who loved the philosophical talking in Small Gods. If you ask me, maybe just a little too much philosophical talking as Granny and Mightily Oats the Omnian Priest hasten though the mountains, but the Vampire's are lovely: Meet young Vlad and forget you ever dreamt of Lestrade ... Lestat ... whatever his name may have been, he doesn't matter any more. These are simply the best vampires I've ever met, and I must know, since I am one myself (well, at least part-time).

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Like a fine wine (red, for preference)
Review: I have had the enormous pleasure of reading every one of the Discworld novels (I even have a signed copy of 'The Last Continent') and I can honestly say that every one has improved when re-read. I have read them all at least twice, and most on three occasions.

The first time around, Carpe Jugulum is reasonably amusing, not a patch on the earlier books, but on re-reading, many of the more subtle aspects of the story came to the fore. I tend to read fairly quickly, so I don't gleam the full myriad of wealth from the book after one reading. However, this allows for multiple re-reads as there is always something new to discover in the vast tapestry of the novel.

I highly recommend this book, but don't settle for just reading it once.

PS 'The Fifth Elephant', the new one, is even better.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Certainly not a re-write of Lords and Ladies
Review: No-one who has really read this book can find that this is a rewrite of Lords and Ladies. While Lords and Ladies was the weakest book of the whole series and made me somehow dislike the Witches sphere, this one reconciliates me with it. Finally the other witches have stepped out of Granny Weatherwax's shadow. This makes the book far more interesting than e.g. Lords and Ladies or Witches Abroad. The weakness of Granny Weatherwax in this book makes her a more human and less dominant character. While with the other books I nearly feeled that Granny would somehow take over sometime, this one puts her in her right position again. Nanny Ogg, Magrat and especially Agnes finally get the role they deserve.

Beside the Witches theme, the vampire theme has also been treated in an excellent manner. By exaggerating and mixing the attributes usually identified with vampires, Pratchett has created a marvellous satire, only comparable to Pyramids.

Finally, with the priest of Om, the religious theme is again treated in Carpe Jugulum. I was very pleased with that because I think that Small Gods was one of Pratchetts best books and regretted that religious controverse didn't reappear in his following books.

Conclusion: a masterpiece in every aspect

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Good stuff!
Review: Carpe jugulum is an excellent read. Perhaps not a good choice for a first Discworld book - it certainly helps if you know a bit of background. Very funny - especially the 'little blue guys.'

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Cool
Review: I have just finished this book - it is a return to form for the witches after the disappointment of Maskerade. It is certainly better than Pratchett's new book "The Fifth Elephant", which is about the dullest I have read.

Just one question though - what is Kirkus going on about above? This book is the Australian one? - I thought The Last Continent was the spoof of Australia. Does Kirkus actually read the books - or do they just read the back cover?

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Darn it, I broke a rib again..
Review: I just had to laugh. Yes, the phoenix wasn't necessary, and there is a resemblance to "Lords and Ladies", but PLEASE! How can you say the 'Pictsies' were neglected? Pratchett often gives us only a taste of a character (or group) before he decides whether he wants to take them further. These guys brought tears to my eyes! I want to go around saying 'Bigjobs!' at people, except I'm afraid it's some obscure English slang that'll get me punched in the face by some guy from Birmingham. Igor and Nanny's patter in the second half is reason enough to get this book! And who thought that Granny would meet her (mental) match in an Omnian priest? The discussion of passion and faith, doubt and belief gave this story an amazing depth, while also making the funny parts even more so. It's a satire with compassion.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Good Terry Pratchett book
Review: i enjoyed this book very much. in this story, agnes/perdita takes on a much more developed and funny role, instead of being just the replacement for magrat. some have said that this is a rewrite of Pterry's older book, "lords and ladies" but i have to disagree. although the book does have a broadly similar plot, it clearly comes into it's own with the doubting Omnian priest (who brings a look at post-small gods omnia), Nag Mac Feegle (Which seem to be belligerent smurfs), and Nanny trying to be the...other one...instead of the mother. this book is very worth adding to your collection.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A New Level of Discworld Novel
Review: Since "The Color Of Magic" was published, readers have learned to expect a unique brand of wit and humor that is characteristically Pratchett's. What many readers and reviewers have missed, however, is the growing thread of serious issues in some of these books. "Carpe Jugulum" is, I believe, an important example of the synthesis between serious and humorous threads that are a growing characteristic of these novels. It is not a ripoff of "Lords And Ladies", as some have stated - the connection between these two books is limited to 1)bad guys come into the world and 2)they have contempt for normal people. These themes are general enough for a dozen books.

An attentive reading of the book, however, shows that there is not only inspired humor, but an examination of a serious question - who are we? can we take responsibility for the hard decisions? can we pick light or darkness, or are we condemned to live in the middle? Following the fugue of character development among the 4 witches and the priest of OM reveals a gentle but serious exploation of these issues. So, read it for fun - the fun is certainly there - but appreciate that the book is far from the simple literary slapstick some people seem to expect from Pratchett.


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