Rating: 
Summary: I laughed so much I was sick
Review: My book review on Terry Pratchet's Interesting Times . Last night I was sick on Terry Pratchet's Interesting Times .I would recommend this book to you for these reasons : 1. It is very funny and humorous 2. Terry has a brill style of writing!! 3. It's just generally, all round, brilliant !!!! I would not however, recommend this book to kids under nine years old . The characters are : Rincewind, the wizzard who can't even spell wizard, Cohen, the barbarian who's had a lifetimes experience of not dying, Twoflower, the man who sent Rincewind off on his adventures , and many more. Rincewind finds himself lost without the luggage, on the counterweight continent, where gold is as common as copper and their worst curse is, "may you live in interesting times". I give this book 60/100, and I give Terry Pratchet 95/100. If you ever get to read this Terry, you're my favourite writer Written by Ben Bessey nine years old
Rating: 
Summary: A great book -- but not for the Discworld novice
Review: "Interesting Times" was the first full Discworld book I read, having been introduced to Pratchett through the "Legends" anthology, and while I liked it well enough, I enjoyed it a heck of a lot more the second time around. Pratchett prides himself on making each Discworld novel a work that can stand on its own, apart from the rest of the series, and while he is mostly successful in this, it can't be denied that familiarity with the older books makes the newer ones go down easier.In "Interesting Times" Rincewind, the world's worst Wizard, gets transported to a far-off continent where people expect him to be some sort of magical genius. While there he encounters Cohen the Barbarian, a geriatric marauder, who has assembled a small "Silver Horde" of wizened old warriors to conquer the Empire. People discount the old barbarians. What they don't take into account is that most barbarians don't LIVE to be the old kind... It was a funny book the first time I read it. It was even cute. But after having read the books prior to this one, especially "The Color of Magic," "Sourcery" and "Eric," this book took on a whole new dimension. I now grasped the prior relationships between Rincewind, Cohen and Twoflower, and I no longer read each luggage passage wondering what the heck was going on. It was, simply put, a better book. So this is a great book and a worthy addition to the Discworld series, but if you haven't read it yet, I suggest reading those other three I mentioned first.
Rating:
Summary: Finally Rincewind returns¿
Review: Let's make one thing clear: the Agatean Empire did 'not' send Lord Vetinari, ruler of the Ankh-Morpork, a message by means of a Pointless Albatross. The message did not read "Send Us Instanly The Great Wizzard". Nevertheless, the guys from Unseen University -the fact that they all wear frocks clearly is more than a fashion statement- decide to send their most promising pupil Rincewind to the Counterweight Continent, 6000 miles away. Only one problem: Rincewind is currently floating peacefully in a lagoon and about to serve as lunch for a curious -but quite unlucky- shark. The shark is about to experience what it is to get in touch with heavy Luggage. The Great Wizzard is back! For me this character is always a surplus to a novel by Terry Pratchett. Like all the Rincewind books, this one also classifies as some sort of road movie: Rincewind constantly being on the run for some kind of apocalyptic evil and more than once being hit with something that has no close resemblance to anything soft. Written by any other author this kind of storyline should quickly bore the hell out of the reader, but that is not taking into account the talents of Mr. Pratchett. The way he paints the characters of Cohen the Barbarian and his horde of senile warriors is certainly unprecedented. Although Interesting Times is not the funniest episode in the Discworld saga -the frequency of the jokes a bit too low to be able to claim this title- it is still an entertaining and absolutely recommended read. The cliffhanger at the end of the book clearly indicates that we have not seen the last of Rincewind.
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Summary: Pratchett's View Of 'East-Asia-in-a-Bag'...
Review: For those of you that aren't familiar with Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels, they're broken up into what are, essentially subseries. Different novels focus on different characters throughout the Disc and each follow a certain storytelling style. The Rincewind novels, of which this is one, are a sort-of antiheroical adventure mixed with what are, essentially, various travelogues. "Interesting Times" deals with what happens when the Disc's least impressive wizard - and greatest survivor - meet the Agatean Empire - a rather odd hodge-podge of Imperial China and feudal Japan run through Pratchett's colander of Discworld reality. "Interesting Times" follows a half-mad, half-Machiavellian plot where Rincewind, the aforementioned 'wizard', gets shipped off to the Agatean Empire following a request by the revolutionary "Red Army" for the "Great Wizzard" that will help them in their time of greatest need. What results from this is a mad rush through Chinese peasant culture, Japanese martial arts, an group of ancient barbarians with a most unbarbarian plot and revolution that can't help but have things go the right way for them. As with most of Pratchett's books, "Interesting Times" is a joy to read. Pratchett somehow seems to take every 'commonly known' reference about East Asia, mix them together in a large metaphorical bag, and spread them throughout his book, regardless of the history or accuracy involved. As with all of his works, what transpires is less a view of what foreign countries are actually like, but how it is that we as people view foreign cultures. Having recently reread "Interesting Times", I found myself liking it more in retrospect than I did when I first read it. It's charming, introspective and loony all in one go. A brief word of warning to the odd East Asian scholar who made read it, though: it's not so much about what Japan and China are like as what people think they are like. Nonetheless, it's a book that any Terry Pratchett fan should read. It's even a book that any fan of Japan or China should read. It's also not a bad place to get into the Discworld series if you're looking for a place to start.
Rating:
Summary: Funniest Rincewind book, but not the best of Discworld
Review: A spoof on China, the Great Wall, and what was really going on with all those terra-cotta soldiers. I like Rincewind's talent for languages; given that Chinese is a tonal language, it takes him three or four tries to correctly pronounce each new word he learns. Includes Cohen the Barbarian, and the various attempts to teach the Silver Horde to be civilized are very funny, if not exactly the stuff of serious fiction. I read this out of order, and was not familiar with Twoflower from previous books so some of the characters are not familiar; if you're going to read it, it would help to have read at least The Light Fantastic first (but I just can't recommend that book).
Rating:
Summary: VERY GOOD!!!
Review: I have an intense feeling of tender affection and compassion for this book! It was the first published work of literature, science, or reference, or one intended for publication I ever read by Terry Pratchett! I am soooooo glad that I read it, for the reason that follows; I have now gone on to read all of the books by him that I can get my parts of the human arm below the wrist, consisting of a thumb, four fingers, and a palm and capable of holding and manipulating things on! He is SUCH a writer of a quality that excites admiration or amazement! I can't wait till his next book comes out!
Rating:
Summary: One Of His Best
Review: I've only read about seven of the Discworld books, so I'm hardly an expert, but I know enough to feel qualified to write this review. I feel that this is better than any of the other books of his I have read. While his books are all wildly original, this one wins on the points of comparison. First off, the settings of Ankh-Morpork and the Counterweight Continent are both well done. Pratchett taps into the same vein of humor underrunning the image of Imperial China that Barry Hughart did in "Bridge of Birds". He also introduces a very interesting linguistic idea, playing off the use of tone in spoken Chinese to create a language with few words but many, many different pronunciations. The other plot ideas, such as the Mandelbrot Butterfly etc., are well done, but the language was such a well-thought yet off-the-wall idea that it beat everything else. The characters are well done also. Old barbarians are a comic image, but Pratchett is able to really use his old barbarians to advance the plot rather than having them hang around solely for laughs. The Gods play off each other well, and Rincewind's cowardice and fleeing make the places he lands in all the more interesting. The ending wraps everything up well without being too perfect, and Death is funnier than ever. Hitting nary a wrong note, this book is worth getting out of the library, or buying if you are a Discworld fan. I would recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy, and also "Thief of Time", by the same author.
Rating:
Summary: These times really are interesting!
Review: Really 4.5 stars, an excellent book! I admit I am biased - Rincewind is one of my favorite (if not #1) characters. This story has so much - action (and running away), battles, Rincewind, Cohen the Barbarian, the wizards, and exotic locations - this time the Agatean Empire - a lampoon of Chinese and Japanese culture. Here Rincewind meets Cohen, now to be called "Genghis Cohen," and his Silver Horde. This is book is very funny in making fun of things "Auriental." Yes, one could be a bit put off, but it is all light-hearted. Basically, the "Red Army" is trying to overthrow the Emperor, but they are little match for Lord Hong, a Auriental Vetinari who wants to use them as an excuse to seize power by seeiming to put down a rebellion that he encourages so that he can be a hero and crush it later. So he helps them contact a "Great Wizard" to help them, since he always likes a challenge. What they all get is Rincewind. Rincewind meets Twoflower again, and, of course, the Luggage returns to its home. Agatea has lots of Luggages and sapient pearwood, too. How can Rincewind play hero (so his own allies don;t kill him) but also avoid getting killed by Hong and the armies around the capital? How can we ask? Rincewind is expert at running away, and when he can't, usually something turns up at the last minute. Things really heat up when Rincewind discovers the secret of the real Red Army. And of course Cohen helps, too. Rincewind is his usual drollness. But the best character is the man who plays Cohen's "accountant," trying to teach his barbarian friends manners and civilization. The best lines in the whole book are when he tries to explain to Cohen and friends that when you go to the market you need to actually pay for what you want. It is worth it just for that. All in all, a wonderful book and very, very funny - even for a Rincewind book.
Rating:
Summary: Cohen's cohort
Review: With some minor magic, seasoned with a touch of quantum physics and a liberal dose of archeaology, Pratchett sends Rincewind the Wizzard across the Discworld. From Ankh Morpork, he arrives at the Agatean Empire on the Counterweight Continent, cushioned by a snowbank. Those studying Auriental history [knowing where the gold is] will recognize the failed wizzard is entering an alien environment. Luckily, familiar faces emerge. The first is the Discworld's most revered barbarian hero, Ghengiz Cohen - who is accompanied by some geriatric colleagues, the Silver Horde. Rincewind isn't a tourist in the Agatean Empire, as Twoflower was in Ankh Morpork. He's been sent for in the midst of a political crisis. A dying emperor, five families contending for power, a revolutionary cadre and a mythical army must all be brought together to make this story work. Oh, yes, plus the Horde and Rincewind. Who else but Pratchett could seamlessly weave all these elements together? And keep you smiling with the turning of every page? Yet, as usual, Pratchett does even more. He can maintain a balance between a reflection of ancient and modern China [sorry, Agatean Empire], bring forth a string of fascinating personalities and turn an impossible situation into reality without missing a beat. At the same time we are given a dose of chaos theory, familiar images of today's world politics and some philosophical images of the universality of human nature. For an added touch, something you won't see in any other "fantasy" novel, Pratchett's astute perception allows him to resurrect the 6 000 terra cotta warriors found in a tomb in China and have them march again. The combination of Pratchett's wide-ranging knowledge, his ability to depict personalities - even though we'd prefer not to know a few of them - and the keen wit that keeps you delighted as you read is nearly overwhelming. He makes the writing look so easy as he leads you along the convoluted logic of Agatean politics, the irreverence and dedication of the Horde - who manage to ignore calendars, logic and the ongoing desperation of Rincewind's life. Pratchett is a practiced craftsman. Whatever your politics, whatever your philosophy, Pratchett is certain to offer new challenges and fresh ideas. Read, delight, and read again. He is always rewarding.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best
Review: [This rating is relative to Discworld books as a whole. It does not mean it numbers amound my favorite books of all time. Amoung all books, it ranks a 4]
For Discworld lovers, this is just about as good as you can get. Following the failed "wizzard" Rincewind (See Color of Magic, The Light Fantastic, Sourcerer & Eric) who gets recruited into teleportation to a mysterious Asian continent on the Disc. There he teams up with Cohen the Barbarian in an attempt to do little but survive in a land of a hostile Empire facing equally hostile (though better with slogans than swords) revolutionaries.
For continuos humor, its hard to beat this book. Unlike some Pratchet's, it never dips down into seriousness even for a moment. Even death is funny, but this doesn't translate into meaningless. This isn't deep philosophy here, but Pratchet can go deeper with humor than most authors can do in any style.
For those familiar with the Disc, its refreshing to see Rincewind in his element (running away from danger at high speed). Rincewind is much less a complete and utter failure in this book than in the previous ones, but he is still Rincewind to the core (unlike in books like Sourcerer when he suddenly sprouts courage and deep emotions).
This book is also commendable for an understandable plotline. Unlike books like Hogfather, you will get this whole book the first time you read it. The plot itself is funny beyond the jokes.
For anyone who wants to get involved in the series, this is a great place to start as well. No Pratchet book is hard to get into, but anyone will understand the character's from this book within minutes of starting. The very beginnign is a slightly confusingtransition from Eric, but still funny, so get right into it.
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