Rating: Summary: Amusing,entertaining,good morale and often hilarious. Review: Oversimplified biased view of the east notwithstanding, this book has lot to teach our young people (and the chronically old) about correct outlook on life and poeple and teaches it with out pissing the reader off. If only these bloody English authors can get it in to their heads that the world has non-Anglo Saxon saviours....
Rating: Summary: Losing his touch Review: I have enjoyed several of Terry Pratchett's discworld novels, most notably "Guards!Guards!" and "Small Gods", but I have found that his most recent books, particularly "Interesting Times", are not in the same class. Rather than being humourous, his latest novels, including this one, seem to be plain ridiculous instead. I hope Pratchett will raise the standard of humour in his novels in the future, as I'm still a fan. However, I would like to say, at the risk of sounding arrogant or presumptuous, that Pratchett needs to recognize that fantasy of this nature is based upon it's humour, not on how wacky it is, particularly when the line of the plot is so thin. I advise any readers thinking of picking up a Pratchett novel to stick with the older ones
Rating: Summary: The Wizzard returns Review: Well, he had to come back one way or another, and once again Pratchett wheels you into a story that will make you laugh out loudlyfor a few seconds, only to realise that you're in a packed train on your way to work... Highly recomended to all Chaos Theorists >=o
Rating: Summary: One of the better DW novels, and that's saying a lot Review: Brilliant, hilarious. One of those books where Pratchett blends humour and philosophy perfectly.
A Must read for Pratchett fans, people interested in china, and people who want to laugh and think at the same time.
Rating: Summary: absolutely hilarious, Terry's best Discworld so far! Review: If you like the Discworld, do not miss this one!
First: Rincewind is back and at his best!
Second: Luggage ist back!
Third: Cohen the Barbarian is back (and a bit older!)
I laughed so much, I dropped the book twice during reading.
AB =)
Rating: Summary: Huge Pratchett Fan! Review: I utterly adore Pratchett's books. The nice thing about them is that they are easy reading but also witty and cleverly written. He is certainly an impressive writer. He turns out satire smoothly but without any trace of bitterness. This makes his books light hearted, funny and relaxing. I can not wait for his next book.
Rating: Summary: Best Rincewind book in the series! Review: Out of all the Discworld novels I have read, the books pertaining to Rincewind are my favorite. However, out of the 'Rincewind' books, Interesting Times was my absolute favorite. The allusion to Asian culture was hilarious and I have never found Rincewind funnier. I also liked the fact that he met up with his friend Two-Flower again, whom we met in Color of Magic and The Light Fantastic. Pratchett is to be commended, he is a most excellent author!
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.
Rating: Summary: These times really are interesting! 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.
|