Small Gods
(Discworld #13)
by Terry Pratchett
fantasy, humour
copyright 1992
re-read in March 2019
rated 9/10: really, really good
One of the best of the Discworld books... in my opinion... as of now. Perhaps other Discworld books will also strike me as the best ever ? Right now -- having read Small Gods for the third or fourth time -- I believe that it is really, really good.
Of course if unthinking belief in a specific religion is an essential part of your life... this book may cause you to question all of your beliefs. Or it may simply cause you to laugh out loud at the author's misunderstandings. The book is very harsh in its views on the more demanding religions.
At the same time, there is adventure. There is a lot of humour. Best of all -- there are good characters. The hero, in particular, is likeable. He thinks, eventually. He has some form of final success. (I never enjoy Rincewind's eternal losing. This character has a more positive destiny.)
Other characters are overdrawn -- as usual in Discworld. Some remind me of the style of Life of Brian. That's good :-) Some Discworld stalwarts appear but they are not yet completely and boringly defined. Pratchett has clearly defined Discworld, it is not yet typecast in stone.
It's all a lot of fun. It's a serious poke at religions which have lost their basic beliefs. It also points the finger of awareness at gods which have lost their humanity. The book is very funny. It's a great story with a very satisfying conclusion.
One of the best of the Discworld books.
Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper
... Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved
===
"Leaders are visionaries with a poorly developed sense of fear and no concept of the odds against them." … Robert Jarvik
===
No comments:
Post a Comment