Now that´s a variety of gerontocracy even more ridiculous than in real life.
But at least they are just bored and not as boring as the real life equiNow that´s a variety of gerontocracy even more ridiculous than in real life.
But at least they are just bored and not as boring as the real life equivalences in politics, so what lies closer than to replay some classic mythology as a real life RPG, the perfect hobby for silver barbarians with some terrorist attitude to go with a big, Discworld shattering bang. Because of the potentially ultra fatal consequences of their plan to reach immortality, or at least a satisfying end worthy of and close to each barbarians´ wet death dream, Vetinari unleashes (view spoiler)[ Leonard of Quirms´ ingenuity what enables Rincewind, Carrot, and The Librarian (hide spoiler)] to go one a, hopefully for the world, successful hellish road and air trip.
Thanks to the illustrations, it´s a very short one, even for Pratchettian dimensions, but very easygoing and without the often included deeper criticism, a once pure and innocent fun that creates its humor mostly out of characters and satirizing the original myth, space programs, Schrödingers´cat, and the good old end of the world.
Because of the complexity of Kirbys´amazing art, this was the only special edition, he just couldn´t produce more graphic novel or even comic style Discworld works without reducing the richness of detail, but it would have been amazing. But the potential for artists to create new interpretations of the Discworld, that is predestined to be comically graphically reinterpreted, is immense. Not just the character descriptions and Kurbys´templates are all there, it would also open the option of expanding the universe and telling new stories.
This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheibe... The idea of the dissected motifs rocks, highlighting the main real world inspirational elements of fiction and satire is something usually done with so called higher literature, but a much more interesting field in readable literature, as it offers the joy of reading, subtle criticism, and feeling smart all together....more
Something completely different than the Discworld, dealing with the ups and downs of indigene and industrial living styles in an exotic setting with sSomething completely different than the Discworld, dealing with the ups and downs of indigene and industrial living styles in an exotic setting with some fantasy elements
Pratchett deemed it his best work I don´t really get why Pratchett said about this novel that it´s so good that he won´t ever write something as great again, because, well, for his standards, it´s quite good material, but subjectively, and according to meta swarm intelligence rating levels, by far not the best. The dynamic of plotting and impact of the humor is different than in his other works and the complexity can´t unfold because, duh, it´s an island.
Cultural imperialism's imperatives A kind of, in the Discworld mostly hidden, morality compass seems to be permanently drifting into the character's introspection, letting them question the good, bad, and somewhat between of themselves, their culture, and the strange, other nation. By this, the ugly and marvelous parts of both, the ever so sophisticated Western culture and tribal trouble on tropical islands, are compared and satirized.
I prefer the Discworld I have absolutely no idea what it is, maybe the missing worldbuilding dynamic, maybe that Pratchett wasn´t used to create completely new characters, maybe that the intentions to put too much in just one book failed, but however it happened, it doesn´t offer the same satisfaction as much of Pratchetts´ other works. It´s good, clever, has some laughs, but who knows Pratchett is left with the feeling that there could have been so much more, maybe even a small series of 2 or 3 books included in the Discworld. That would have offered the potential for more settings, character development, and maybe a bit less philosophizing about white and grey morality and more action and funny dialogues instead.
This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheibe... The idea of the dissected motifs rocks, highlighting the main real world inspirational elements of fiction and satire is something usually done with so called higher literature, but a much more interesting field in readable literature, as it offers the joy of reading, subtle criticism, and feeling smart all together....more
Meet a different Pratchett in one of his amazing kid, teen, young adult aimed master fables.
The few, not Discworldian, classic tales are written with Meet a different Pratchett in one of his amazing kid, teen, young adult aimed master fables.
The few, not Discworldian, classic tales are written with less of the deeper criticism, but focusing on sense of wonders, some moral subtext, and an easier to understand, direct fun with puns and slapstick comedy.
It also shows what happens when an ingenious writer doesn´t just write for young audiences from the beginning of his career, but decides to give it a try after having written extremely complex and subtle fantastic comedy for adults over decades. It´s wonderful, it´s kind of even denser than the Discworld, because there are no longer introspections, dialogues, and philosophizing about ethics, morality, and the nature of good and evil, just easy fun and entertainment.
Of course, the one or other depth is there , but it´s easier to spot and understand and the whole work is like a concatenation of the mostly happy, light fantastic elements and actions, the language so smooth, the metaphors so fitting, everything just so perfect only a master like Pratchett could have been able to create.
An extra easter egg are the innuendos on kids and young adults literature and movies, some kind of indirect fourth wall break, because the serious, heavy, often boring adult classics Pratchett satirizes in many of his other works are exchanged with the really good kids' stuff. It also shows that even in the, allegedly simple, literature for young bookworms, there is so much potential for remixing, reinterpreting, and retelling that one would wish to get into a time machine to be able to enjoy it once again, or sadly often the first time, with the full immersive pleasure of being young again.
This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheibe... The idea of the dissected motifs rocks, highlighting the main real world inspirational elements of fiction and satire is something usually done with so called higher literature, but a much more interesting field in readable literature, as it offers the joy of reading, subtle criticism, and feeling smart all together....more
Alternative Asian history, Rincewind's average spin doctoring and political strategist skills, teleportation, Cohen the barbarian, again Rincewind as Alternative Asian history, Rincewind's average spin doctoring and political strategist skills, teleportation, Cohen the barbarian, again Rincewind as always unwittingly McGuffining around, (view spoiler)[ revolutions eating themselves in the good, oldfashioned style of immediately turning into tyrannies or already planning to do an evil rebranding while revolting (hide spoiler)], Gods manipulating the fate of humankind, and jokes about stereotypical fighter archetypes make war fun.
Uchronia and alternative history is big in this too, because China, just as many great empires before, had the chance of ruling the world, but preferred isolation. This can be seen in how respectfully Vetinari deals with the request, but also in real history with the sheer historical numbers of soldiers, military strategy, and technology, especially ships, gunpowder, and sheer quantity. Not to speak of potentially reaching most of the world by land, for instance, at this moment, extremely primitive and thereby vulnerable Europe or colonizing the Americas, but endless intern civil wars are costly. (view spoiler)[Shown by the contrast in the book, 1 million perfectly trained, disciplined Asians soldiers vs a hand full of primitive barbarians (hide spoiler)]
Speaking of which, The Silver Horde is dealing with the danger of averaging in the military forces, an often hidden problem that can reduce the stability of well functioning dictatorships. It´s tricky for the poor despots, too many fit, young, but possibly revolting soldiers are as bad as geriatric armies, so it´s possibly the healthy mix to cement your nightmarish autocracy. But at least they haven´t lost their stupid, manly attitudes of fighting, killing, and most importantly, unsubstantiated hubris.
Pratchett uses the mixture of megalomania, bad management, the immense deficits of ideologies, faiths, politics, economics, etc. a lot in his whole work by showing how potentially world dominating forces are self sabotaging by losing their connection to reality. Possibly it's an, by evolution, inbuilt seld destruction system to ensure that complex systems such as human societies don´t get too mighty and thereby monocultural, although this could have failed with Mcdonalisation, Disneyfication, general Americanisation, but let´s see what time will bring.
I know, this running gag is getting lame, time to say bye bye to it, but I don´t know enough about Genghis Khan, Japanese and Chinese history, communism, if Rincewind has hidden elements of famous historical figures I don´t know, and if I am worthy or capable of adding more sophisticated literary analysis, but at least I can laugh about the bits and pieces I get and especially easier to spot puns and slapstick elements.
This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheibe... The idea of the dissected motifs rocks, highlighting the main real world inspirational elements of fiction and satire is something usually done with so called higher literature, but a much more interesting field in readable literature, as it offers the joy of reading, subtle criticism, and feeling smart all together....more
Rincewind´s troubles and inner perspectives in the red, dry desert are hilarious, he just doesn´t get what is happening around him, while an alternatiRincewind´s troubles and inner perspectives in the red, dry desert are hilarious, he just doesn´t get what is happening around him, while an alternative evolutionary explanation circles around some time travel fun.
I am no Aussie, but I am at least part of a culture, Austria, that is not just often confused with Australia, but has a very special mentality that makes it the target of stereotypical assumptions that are more often true than not. Pratchett didn´t often enter the cheap nation joke level, he was interested in more sophisticated, subtle, meta humor, but the truth lying hidden in many of the funny ideas the world or neighboring nations have about their friends or enemies, is a huge playground for sociological research and comedic potential, because it unites all the things good and bad, politics, faith, economy, etc., culminated to certain types of humans, from enlightened humanists to the opposite.
Meet the (view spoiler)[God of evolution and a magical kangaroo (hide spoiler)], the driving forces of the Rincewindian and The unseen university teaching stuff plotlines, opening questions about the origin of life, good and bad management skills, and the strange relationship between academics and their housekeepers.
Time travel was, is, will be, never was, an element of this one too, again opening room for the question of how cool it would have been if Pratchett would have written more science fantasy or even some pure sci-fi, this would have been so unimaginably awesome that I must be careful not to faint just while thinking about it. Too late. But thanks to my tachyon manipulation smartphone app it never happened and you already forgot the awkward moment. Review? What review, it never existed.
I´ve seen the idea of wishes and desires immediately fulfilled by different kinds of fantasy and sci-fi tropes many times, but how it´s combined with the strange character´s motivation that is behind the wonders, is a fresh outfit for the cornucopia trope. There is also some philosophical and religious study real life thought experiment behind that, but I don´t know the name.
Trusty readers already know this running gag, thematizing that I don´t always get all the hidden content and innuendos, but it was hardly ever so strong as with this one. What´s the true meaning of the kangaroo, what about this deity, I´ve read this passages 2 or 3 times and I am still not sure what extra easter eggs are hidden behind his development, dialogues, and final actions, and are Australians really like that? You may excuse me know, I have to get wasted at a local beer tent, sing some traditional folk music, organize some re engagement in you certainly know what activities, and eat a ton of schnitzels.
Fun fact: Compare UK and Australia or Germany and Austria and enjoy. Little brothers can be nasty, although an Australian never took over total control over the UK.
This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheibe... The idea of the dissected motifs rocks, highlighting the main real world inspirational elements of fiction and satire is something usually done with so called higher literature, but a much more interesting field in readable literature, as it offers the joy of reading, subtle criticism, and feeling smart all together....more
Darkness comes across Discworld, shattering the once light and extremely funny fantasy universe.
Possible explanations for this change in style and tDarkness comes across Discworld, shattering the once light and extremely funny fantasy universe.
Possible explanations for this change in style and tone Was it his illness, was it growing, deeper cynicism about the world, did Pratchett intend to depress the heck out of the reader? Whatever the reason, if you can´t handle hard boiled, depressing content, you should consider not reading the last 2 Tiffany Aching novels (and Raising Steam, strongly influenced by the impact of his illness on his writing). Or, if you prefer to keep living in the happy, extremely funny world of the earlier and middle Discworld.
Evolution towards darkness What was a mixture of deep thoughts distilled to cynical innuendos with slapstick elements, puns, and crazy ideas, has become the drawing of the darkness of the human condition, society, and immense stupidity and potential for evil. There is the hate infecting the dumb ones, the Cunning man coming to seed torture and murder, the ingratitude and bigotry of the average joes who are quick at crippling and burning witches, but extremely tolerant and open towards any kind of gossip, manipulation, and demagogic content.
The possible laughs can´t be unleashed The novel has some of the patented Pratchett puns and fun too, but it can´t ignite the known rhetoric powder, because the frightening and depressing passages are such hardcore downers that it would need more to feel lighthearted and blithe again. It´s great literature, but nothing one knowing the Discworld would expect or hope for.
From meta cynicism to direct dirty sarcasm It has kind of come down from the theoretical, deeper, high brow criticism to the dirty, gritty, real filth and disgust enabled by so many deluded individuals. I wonder if it would have gone this route if he wouldn´t have got terminally ill, if Tiffany couldn´t have had better teenage and adult years if her father wouldn´t have died far too early.
If we could have seen her evolve as a character in a still growing universe that could have made fun of all the madness that happened since one of the greatest satirists of all time left us forever in 2015.
This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheibe... The idea of the dissected motifs rocks, highlighting the main real world inspirational elements of fiction and satire is something usually done with so called higher literature, but a much more interesting field in readable literature, as it offers the joy of reading, subtle criticism, and feeling smart all together....more
The Witches know how to get the opera started so that all take off their masks.
Pratchett´s satires of classics and their stereotypical tropes are alwThe Witches know how to get the opera started so that all take off their masks.
Pratchett´s satires of classics and their stereotypical tropes are always a bit weaker than his original works playing in the pure Discworld without outer inspirations. Possibly it´s because he can construct whole plots in his own universe and feels much more comfortable with the manifold options, maybe the originals aren´t just that good, who by the way reads that stuff, maybe he didn´t want to invest so much time in these ones than in the original series, who knows. Although, in this case, operas are already inherently ridiculous, so there isn´t so much left to make fun of the fat lady´s singing style.
The Phantom of the Opera fans, if they exist or dare to out themselves, might certainly find their pleasure with the new adaption of their favorite piece of, is it really?, art, but most readers might be more interested in what the witches are doing. What is missing is another plotline in the background, the meta topic area Pratchett is famous for including to spice it all up, with Vetinari, timeless topics, politics of power, economics, etc. That´s what makes this varieties of his books lacking the extra joy, because there is far less to discover and enjoy than in the far more complex, other Discworld novels.
Especially the witches, who are used to deal with far more complex, feministic, social criticism topics, being compared and contrasted with the outperformed Wizzards, fighting against entities and evil mighty fractions, are more dealing with personal topics, a crime thriller plot, and aren´t just in the right environment to live up to their full potential.
To not be unfair, the question should be asked if it would have even been possible to add these extra plotlines to the parodies and I would say, yes. He used his established characters or could have used them or more of them, so there would have been no problem to add the extra icing on the cake too, especially because most of the classics are already dealing with potent stuff. Why Pratchett didn´t do it is unclear, I will add some more speculations to the already opened mix: Respect for the original authors so that he didn´t want to modify it too much? Not writing too long novels because he used to reach a certain length? Publishers asking him to do one more parody of a well established name to boost the sales although he didn´t have a real interest in it? Being used to produce such a piece from time to time without engaging as much as in his original series?
The problem with these novels is that whoever reads them first doesn´t get the real Pratchett, just as the ones who read the first or last of his books, which limits the true, über Pratchett to 20 to 25 works. It could lead to people not continuing this amazing journey because they think that all of it might be quite nice, but not really as special as everybody says.
Some other elements: How creative work of artists can be exploited by dodgy rightsholders, how the witches deal with the tooth of time and how their social dynamic changes, why beauty can beat talent, ghosts, murders, and stuff.
This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheibe... The idea of the dissected motifs rocks, highlighting the main real world inspirational elements of fiction and satire is something usually done with so called higher literature, but a much more interesting field in readable literature, as it offers the joy of reading, subtle criticism, and feeling smart all together....more
Don´t play with dark magic, it could be that Rincewind and the notorious pearwood chest return from other dimensions instead of the wished Jinn, fairyDon´t play with dark magic, it could be that Rincewind and the notorious pearwood chest return from other dimensions instead of the wished Jinn, fairy, or, in this case, demon or, why not, the dark lord himself.
Pratchett´s second novel with classic novels as inspirations, it´s more dynamic and quicker plotted than Wyrd Sisters, integrating as many innuendos as possible and mixing in historical and mythical elements.
It shows how much potential there is to reinterpret, adapt, satirize, and rewrite the classics or, as there are meanwhile so many new adaptions on the market, modify the modifications. Where will this end? The famous works are just a tiny grain of creativity in the sea of unknown already written and still to write works, especially humor, fantasy, and sci-fi are fertile ground for unique and new ideas. It are the genres in which I´ve read most completely new, groundbreaking ideas, while average literature without fantastic elements or the horror and thriller genre are rotating around the similar few plots and tropes possible in these settings. On the other hand, all of these plots can easily be implemented in the much more manifold fantasy settings.
Prepare for a short trip to hell where good oldfashioned torturing has been replaced by some kind of psychological horror white torture that is even more sinister than the parody of Dante´s inferno surrounding it. I am not sure if the real hell or this ironic version of it might be worse, the best thing might be to combine both to not just crush the body or the mind, but both permanent and efficient.
(view spoiler)[The running gag of Eric wanting and wishing things Rincewind is unable to fulfill because of a mixture of incompetence, the nature of the wishes, and a mystery accelerates the scenes and enables Pratchett to construct a different kind of hero´s journey. The dynamic of this is going something like: Jay, wish fulfilled. Nay, there are severe deficits in how it has been realized., we are all gonna die. (hide spoiler)]
The real, whatever and wherever it was, Troyan war wasn´t fun, but this time it gets hilarious and wait until you see the most beautiful woman (view spoiler)[whose appearance plays with the stereotypicality of beauty standards changing over time and the general sexism and machismo playing into the roles of woman and how they have to look. (hide spoiler)]
Some points: Puberty with its stereotypical problems is satirized, reappearing in the Tiffany Aching novels, this time with a bit more spoiled teenage dirtbag. The Azteks are still empiring and have special treatments for their gods.
Both, Goethe, sigh, and Dante maybe, I haven´t read it, but I´ll just say the same about it because I am an irresponsible wastrel, are certainly no entertaining fun reads for most people, but their potential for inspiring new ideas is something that should never be underestimated. In this way, they get a second meaning in their literary lives next to torturing helpless school kids forced to read the, ahem, classics.
This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheibe... The idea of the dissected motifs rocks, highlighting the main real world inspirational elements of fiction and satire is something usually done with so called higher literature, but a much more interesting field in readable literature, as it offers the joy of reading, subtle criticism, and feeling smart all together....more
Now that´s luckily a bunch of still cultivated, but at least not sparkling, friendly, loving, and melodramatically feeling, vampires.
The allegory of mNow that´s luckily a bunch of still cultivated, but at least not sparkling, friendly, loving, and melodramatically feeling, vampires.
The allegory of modernization, or social progress, globalization, new branding of a traditional bloody brand, the battle between the traditionalists and innovators, the dangers of failing for both sides by anachronistically fading away or self destruction through far too fast change, and how the transformation of whole, traditional societies could, can, and will change society forever, are driving forces.
Especially social change, often to mostly accompanied by technological and governmental innovations, is something often contrasted in Pratchett´s work by showing a bad before and good after, although the dangers and fallacies of some seemingly positive changes aren´t underrepresented too. Often it looks as if everything has stayed pretty the same, but some small, but important factors or laws have been changed and it´s hard to find a crucial human field of interest that hasn´t been satirized this way in one of his works.
So imagine what might happen if neoliberals, typo, sorry, vampires would like to pimp their reputation, not become really good and friendly of course, because Sauronian mentality is just in their blood, but to hipster their way towards a more trending topic style, always newest fashion hottest defecation. Of course, there has to be a bit of teeny dirtbag dynamic (was this the inspiration for Twilight?), complicated by the fact that vampires don´t age, and inner quarrels included, especially showing the ridiculousness of not really changing or willing to change, but to do as if, to simulate progressivism if it´s impossible because the whole mindset, mentality, race in this case, would have to be changed, not just the packing.
Verence as a ruler has a similar problem, he is nice, good, and extremely modern, but the people aren´t interested in improving any aspects of their lives, because they are conservative and want to have it done as they are used to, thank you. This, sadly very realistic, mentality leads to voters in some real Western democracies, not the people in dictatorships that have no chance, who jay to any destructive, hateful madness and fight progressive, positive change with their lives and souls, depending on which brand of faith owns them.
The switching between the witching and vampirizing plotlines makes it a very dynamic read and there is certainly more hidden depth behind Granny Weatherwax, surprising use of the vampire blood mind control plot device, split personality fun, some of the best philosophical criticism of religion ever written, explanations why some kind of inurement and mental conditioning won´t work, even if one tries as hard as possible, and a bit of witch generation crash, being adult but still not completely wise, and the legacy of the witches is in it too.
This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheibe... The idea of the dissected motifs rocks, highlighting the main real world inspirational elements of fiction and satire is something usually done with so called higher literature, but a much more interesting field in readable literature, as it offers the joy of reading, subtle criticism, and feeling smart all together....more
A homage to the always funny punchline of saber rattling with the danger of an escalating, raging war because of instrumentalized patriotism around a A homage to the always funny punchline of saber rattling with the danger of an escalating, raging war because of instrumentalized patriotism around a small piece of worthless land, in this case, a tiny island.
Diplomacy is an art of its own and wait what Vetinari has prepared towards the end, it´s a masterpiece of interstate relationship longtime planning. Possibly many real life troubles, quarrels, and close to Mutual Assured Destruction WW3 scenarios went, are just going, and will go a similar way, one better doesn´t start thinking about it. Pratchett mixes the economic incentives with patriotism, politics, and faith, showing how the different forces develop their different grades of madness, who is more influenced by which dogma, and how this affects the military capabilities. (view spoiler)[Ank Morpork is, for instance, focusing on trade instead of a strong army, while nomadic horse people with overwhelming speed motivated by faith are a different category. (hide spoiler)]
Racism is a big player in here too, I should consider making a list which of the critical complexes gets most of Pratchett´s attention, but possibly he was so ingenious to make a balanced mix to satirize all of them and my endeavor would be useless.
Leonard of Quirm, symbolizing the power of science, is one of the most meta potential characters, the idea of Vetinari controlling technological and thereby sociological and economical development is fascinating, because the has profound and longtime ideas about how society should or should not develop. How often similar things happened, are happening, and will happen in real history, is a fascinating subject, just take not avoiding giving people universal basic income by suddenly using all secret military prototypes to make most jobs useless, giving cures for aging that make 200 years lifetime possible, and all the real before and possible later developments.
It´s interesting to watch Samuel Vines´ development, one of the rare character transformations Pratchett included in his work, and how the executive force, be it police, incompetent or capable generals, mercenary armies,…is always an important, unpredictable factor on the battlefield. Much of what was masterfully planned in theory, even with logic and good statistics, failed because of such, suddenly appearing, factors.
Humankind ought consider to start thinking why it would still easily be possible to start major wars because of ridiculous territorial disputes and faith, if it would at least be a question of survival, cultural identity, or half of the territory of the state in question, it wouldn´t seem that silly.
This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheibe... The idea of the dissected motifs rocks, highlighting the main real world inspirational elements of fiction and satire is something usually done with so called higher literature, but a much more interesting field in readable literature, as it offers the joy of reading, subtle criticism, and feeling smart all together....more
Special edition, the satire of newspapers and news flashes is closer to the truth than real life media and information networks´blurred self perceptioSpecial edition, the satire of newspapers and news flashes is closer to the truth than real life media and information networks´blurred self perception.
So guess what happens when the first free press, immediately followed by the invention of printing, starts writing about what really happens in Ank Morpork. Soon, the information landscape changes forever and Vetinari, other interest groups, competitors, and an intrigue in the background culminate in an epic battle for the hottest headline before deadline.
I deem this novel as one of the best media satires ever written, because it describes the painful state of affairs from each perspective. The dumb consumers of the media, people wanting to be mentioned, the influence of the industry, incompetence of politicians, triviality and redundancy of daily news and meaningless daily politics, and the underlying questions who chooses the tone, contents, and subliminal messages of the news and why people are so keen in investing years of their lives in wasting it with worthless, trivial, dumbing down garbage making one a so called well informed citizen. Ask George Carlin.
The unconscious self satirizing potential is best shown by the pressure to find something to tell, the first reporters not sure about what´s worth telling, still asking questions such as what´s really important and serious or how they can be sure if it´s true, how sweet. But soon the childhood diseases are over and trivia and irrelevances are produced in mass just as in real life, where the only change is technological, while the humanities are stagnating and degenerating with the always same wars, hate, greed, injustice, and destruction with a system cemented as fake democracy.
Mr. Pin and Mr. Tulip reminded me of two characters, pairs too if I remember it right, from one of Gaiman´s novels and one of Tad William´s series, Otherland, who had the same potential to greatly entertain. Such a marvelous duo of lunatic evil guys, no matter in which novel, evil is just too sexy.
Maybe, if you haven´t already chosen wisely and stopped consuming worthless news, this novel may give you the inspiration to think about why you should be willingly consuming any kind of left, right, economic, faith, etc. propaganda, when real hard facts, science, and the best worlds of all, fiction, can give joy and happiness.
I´ve already posted this in my review of Woodward´s book Rage, but I deem it worth mentioning, because it´s the hilarious real madness regarding the news: Social evolution has stagnated and lead to a dead, ridiculous democratic system, completely controlled by lobbyism, not to be taken seriously anymore, leading to a situation where comedy shows and websites such as The daily show with Trevor Noah https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwWh... The onion https://www.theonion.com/ The late show with Stephen Colbert https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMtF... etc. bring more depth, insight, and truth than all information and education in schools, newspapers, news networks, and, lol, the representatives and their official channels themselves.
This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheibe... The idea of the dissected motifs rocks, highlighting the main real world inspirational elements of fiction and satire is something usually done with so called higher literature, but a much more interesting field in readable literature, as it offers the joy of reading, subtle criticism, and feeling smart all together....more
It seems a good investment in Ankh Morporks´ future
And who is one of the angel investors wins The ridiculous thing is that much of the real life econoIt seems a good investment in Ankh Morporks´ future
And who is one of the angel investors wins The ridiculous thing is that much of the real life economy, and especially the banking, investment, and insurance industry are managed in similar greedy and incompetent ways. And that didn´t just start with paper money or hedge funds, the whole of human history could be seen as
Driven by economic madness Pratchett uses loads of allegories, innuendos, and puns to integrate many real, in the grey area of legality, happenings that are just normal to make the one or other extra buck or a billion of them. This inherent craziness comes from the fact that
Economics isn´t a hard science And thereby open to close to any manipulation. As long as the ruling class, politicians, and media define what a healthy economy should look like, there is no debate. In this regard, it was more honest millennia ago when the rule of the god emperor was combined with the greed of the traders and businessmen. Today, it´s obviously ridiculous, but because one can´t stop an endless exponential growth system circle pyramid scheme once it has started, there may be a little future problem. As if this wasn´t already bad enough Pratchett adds
Slavery and schizophrenia into the mix That he does this in an appropriate way is another sign of his talent and ingenuity, because balancing with topics that hot could easily fail is a quality master seal. But he exactly knows which amount of what humor he has to take to get laughs that don´t feel bitter. Just as with Going Postal the late, great Pratchett wrote a satire that exactly hits the nail on the head of 20th and 21st century politics, economics, and society in general.
This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheibe... The idea of the dissected motifs rocks, highlighting the main real world inspirational elements of fiction and satire is something usually done with so called higher literature, but a much more interesting field in readable literature, as it offers the joy of reading, subtle criticism, and feeling smart all together....more
Mario the lone bookwolf
>
Books:
pratchett-terry
(46)
Loading...
