This isn't quite what I was expecting. I think I expected more short stories or little write-ups. It was more pictures than words in places, especi3.5
This isn't quite what I was expecting. I think I expected more short stories or little write-ups. It was more pictures than words in places, especially with the characters, and read almost more like a comical encyclopedia that a real "guide".
That said, it only took about 30 minutes to get through, it was cute, and I did enjoy the illustrations.
I'm glad I got it from the library, though....more
I read this as part of a reading committee for my community theater, to consider it for the season.
I am happy to report that it was selected, because I read this as part of a reading committee for my community theater, to consider it for the season.
I am happy to report that it was selected, because it reads very funny. It's a very stilly and over-the-top farce, which is very, very loosely based on Dracula, and I'm looking forward to seeing it play out (and hopefully being in it).
To the loosely based, though...
Lucy and Mina are sisters, and their father runs the asylum. Harker is with Lucy, not Mina, and Mina is a sort of frumpy younger sister. Renfield eats bugs prior to meeting Dracula. The three suitors are literally a walk-on-bit and not involved in the story any further. Oh, and Van Helsing is a woman.
So, yeah...
But as long as you're not a purist - and, honestly, how could you be if you're turning Dracula into a farce - it seems like it'll be a very funny show....more
What happens if you take A Midsummer Night's Dream, add in a crass Fool, and turn it into a murder mystery?
This is what happens.
A story that focuses vWhat happens if you take A Midsummer Night's Dream, add in a crass Fool, and turn it into a murder mystery?
This is what happens.
A story that focuses very much on the faeries and Bottom, and not overly much at all on the annoying human lovers and others.
That said - this story wasn't the strongest in the Pocket series, imo. I don't know if Pocket's bag-of-tricks is kind of playing out or what, but even the crudeness and raunchiness felt kind of an after-thought, and some of the humor and wit of previous installments was lacking. A bit of a shame, since Midsummer is one of my favorite Shakespeare plays - I've always wanted to perform Puck - but this one was just ok. 2.5 rounded up....more
This book opens with an event which is both sad and also very fitting... and changes things, a bit, for Tiffany Aching in the greater scheme of thingsThis book opens with an event which is both sad and also very fitting... and changes things, a bit, for Tiffany Aching in the greater scheme of things.
As this event kicks things into motion, Tiffany finds herself being pulled in multiple directions, trying to take on 2 Steadings, maybe help train up some new witches, and also deal with the impending threat presented by the elves.
This book very much brings the whole "coming of age" story of Tiffany Aching to a full and complete circle, which is nice, since it is, alas, the last book of the series.
Overall I really enjoyed it. I didn't "enjoy" watching Tiffany's struggles to balance all of her mounting responsibilities, but I enjoyed watching her handle it and the conclusions she ultimately came to.
I also enjoyed the introduction of new characters Gregory and his weird goat, Mephistopheles.
My only real complaint is that I find the final battles to be a little anti-climactic after all the build up about how powerful the elves were, but, really, in some ways, that battle is almost a sub-plot, despite seeming to main story, as the real story is about Tiffany finally coming fully and completely into her own power....more
I read this because I'm going to be performing in a community theater version of it in a few months, as the Inspector. I'm really looking forward to iI read this because I'm going to be performing in a community theater version of it in a few months, as the Inspector. I'm really looking forward to it, because it seemed like a very fun part.
The play, overall, seems like it will be a lot of fun. Basically, an actor famous for playing Sherlock Holmes gets to pay detective in real life when someone gets murdered in his home. Hilarity ensues... ^_^...more
This is one of the few Discworld books which I'm encountering for the first time in my marathon. I just always sort of skipped this one because it didThis is one of the few Discworld books which I'm encountering for the first time in my marathon. I just always sort of skipped this one because it didn't fit into the larger world, really, and because it was written for kids - which is weird, because it's not like I'm averse to reading kids books in general.
But I'm glad I finally got it it. One of the things I appreciate about Pratchett is that he doesn't write down to his audience. He may have left out some of the more adult themes and satire, but this still felt like a Discworld book. I mean, even the talking animals isn't a unique thing to this book, what with Gaspode and all.
And there was still satire and lessons to be learned. A lot about people and animals, and how quickly even "thinking animals" devolve back to unthinking animals when they encounter hardship or fear. Really good lessons there.
Not one of my favorite in the series, but still a worthy addition to the series....more
I think this is one of the few books I'm reading for the first time in my Discworld marathon.
And of course it had to be a Rincewind book. Ugh.
But he'I think this is one of the few books I'm reading for the first time in my Discworld marathon.
And of course it had to be a Rincewind book. Ugh.
But he's actually not that big a part of it. It's more Cohen and Carrot and Leonard, which are cool. And Stibbons gets some nice page time.
Overall, a decent story and the illustrations were great - but it was a shame I'd seen most of them online already. But, still, it was nice to see them live and in full color on the page.
I read this for a potential audition coming up. It's a funny play... very farcical... sometimes a bit over-the-top ridiculous even for a farce.
A pl3.5
I read this for a potential audition coming up. It's a funny play... very farcical... sometimes a bit over-the-top ridiculous even for a farce.
A play-within-a-play gets disrupted by controlling producers, disgruntled writers, awful actors... and when the murder-mystery turns actual murder, everyone's in a tizzy.
But what else can you do? The show must go on... ...more
"Based on the author's earlier Respecting Your Piers, Curtain Up! is the hilarious story of five women who inherit equal shares in a dilapidated th3.5
"Based on the author's earlier Respecting Your Piers, Curtain Up! is the hilarious story of five women who inherit equal shares in a dilapidated theatre and plan to bring it back to life again. They try various fund-raising schemes but their most ambitious is to hold a concert featuring local talent and a world-famous star who agrees to appear for no fee! However, their plans go awry and it's a race to keep their audience from guessing the truth of the matter. A fast-paced and very funny comedy with five great roles for women."
I'm doing this for a show, playing the role of Sharon, and it's a fun show to do with sweet, poignant moments, and some random dancing. I'm a bit biased, but I think Sharon is the most fun character of the show. ^_^...more
I think this might have been one of my favorite of the rereads so far. I'm not sure why. Maybe because I didn't remember much about it. Maybe because I think this might have been one of my favorite of the rereads so far. I'm not sure why. Maybe because I didn't remember much about it. Maybe because it deals with the fae, which is a particular interest of mine. Or maybe because Granny Weatherwax is totes on form, and doesn't have any of the lingering weirdness from some of the other installments.
(Yeah, I said totes. Deal with it.)
I never think of this as being one of my favorites of the series, but the reread was thoroughly enjoyed....more
This didn't blow me away nearly as much as when I first read it, but that's mostly because the ideas were sort of new to me then, and now, well, no3.5
This didn't blow me away nearly as much as when I first read it, but that's mostly because the ideas were sort of new to me then, and now, well, not so much.
And this book does seem to be more about ideas. The characters are ok, but the story was fairly slow going without the glow of philosophical ponderings to keep things alight.
That said, I still really like the messages and ideas in this story, and I liked the ending a lot. I feel bad for poor Brutha, because he reminds me of me sometimes. "If only people would... stop being so stupid!"
Apparently I rated this book 3 stars the first time I rated it - but it's definitely worthy of the addition of an extra star.
I just loved Death as BilApparently I rated this book 3 stars the first time I rated it - but it's definitely worthy of the addition of an extra star.
I just loved Death as Bill Door. There are so many great moments and lines from this book.
That said, it started a bit slowly, but about 25% in or so it really started to pick up. And, as usual, the parts with the wizards were probably my least favorite parts - though I exclude Windle and the Fresh Starters from this....more
This book was short and sweet, which is good. Rincewind has never been my favorite character, but he doesn't overstay his welcome in this storyReread.
This book was short and sweet, which is good. Rincewind has never been my favorite character, but he doesn't overstay his welcome in this story.
I particularly appreciated the bureaucratic version of hell, and could appreciate the humour from my own, sad cubicle. (Astfgl made me think of Crowley in Supernatural.)...more
Next show I'll be working on - as Sally. Very silly. Promises to be lots of fun.Next show I'll be working on - as Sally. Very silly. Promises to be lots of fun....more
The first time I read this book I only gave it a 3. I liked it much better this second time around. I've developed a better appreciation for Vimes andThe first time I read this book I only gave it a 3. I liked it much better this second time around. I've developed a better appreciation for Vimes and his trials and travails than I had when I was a bit younger...
I'd also forgotten how early Lady Ramkin was introduced into the guard books. For some reason I didn't think she came into the story until later - but I think that may be because I may have read them out of order.
And of course the Patrician is always a pleasure. The scenes with him and the rats was great fun. Thanks to the mini-series of Going Postal, the Patrician is forever Charles Dance in my mind. :>
And this was the first book, I think, where the Librarian really had a substantial role.
Granted, this didn't have as many noteworthy quotes as some of his other books - there were a few, of course, because there always are - but the story and characters, overall, is definitely up there on the list....more
Entering the reread of this one, I didn't really remember a single thing about the story. The only thing I knew was that this was never one of my favoEntering the reread of this one, I didn't really remember a single thing about the story. The only thing I knew was that this was never one of my favorites.
I think I enjoyed it more on the reread than I did on my first go around, though it probably still won't be one of my faves. It won't be in the bottom tier, either.
This is pretty much a standalone in the series. I don't believe we ever encounter Teppic again - or, if we do, I don't recall it just now - but it's also a companion piece with Small Gods (which is one of my faves) because both deal with life outside of the usual places and also, more importantly, deal with the realities of faith and gods and religion - not all of which go well together.
There were some really nice quotes from this book, and I did find it an enjoyable and interesting read.
(As a side note, I'm note sure I got the sound-joke of Djelibeybi the first time, and now I'm wondering how in the hell I would've missed it!)
colleen the convivial curmudgeon
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