Going Postal (Discworld)

Anybody who thinks Pratchett is a lightweight populist should read the first chapter of Going Postal. It's a tour de force from somebody who I consider to be one of the great humorous writers, combining the ability of P G Wodehouse to draw sympathetic characters with the darker edges that you would find in Evelyn Waugh's novels. To write a chapter like this, which centres around an execution, requires skill of a high order.

Ankh-Morpork is one of the fictional universes I like to retreat to, along with Blandings Castle and McCall Smith's Gaborone; the characters have human flaws, various unpleasant things happen, but somehow you finish up feeling comfortable in the world that Pratchett paints and care about what happens to the characters.

Excellent (0/0 people found this helpful)

It seems to me that nothing Terry Pratchett writes can be bad. Every time I read another of his books, I say, 'No, that one was the best I've ever read'. He disguises his excellent observations on our everyday life and our history in a comic fantasy world and it works *so* well. The ones where he tackles every day institutions such as the post office are the best, in my opinion. This is a great book.

(audio cd .) just ok really (0/1 people found this helpful)

I think there must be an awful lot missed out in these audio books. Although I listen to them several times and 'get it' I dont find them very fullfilling somehow.
Perhaps I ought to try reading the books instead

Going great guns! (1/1 people found this helpful)

As a long-time Pratchett devotee I am bound to be positive about `Going Postal' but I have to say that I think it is one of his best yet. With television adaptations of `Hogfather' and `The Colour of Magic' successfully transferring the magic of Discworld from page to screen, I would love to see this book get the TV treatment next.
The (anti)hero of the story is the brilliantly named `Moist Von Lipwig', a petty crook and forger who is given the opportunity to avoid the gallows if he will take on the now-defunct Ankh Morpork post office. Little does Moist know that this will bring him into contact with a murderous banshee, a fatally obsessive pin collector, an octogenarian postal worker with a fetish for `herbal medicines' and a chain-smoking femme fatale who only wants to see him dead. These are just a few of Pratchett's latest creations as he treads his usual fine line between the macabre and slapstick comedy.
Pratchett's real talent though, lies in his ability to build on previous novels without becoming a slave to continuity. Going Postal reminds the reader of different aspects of the Discworld's regular cast - from Captain Carrot to Lord Vetinari and Golems to the Assassin's Guild. Having said this, the book works fine as a stand-alone novel, and those unfamiliar with the Discworld series will find this as good a starting point as any.

CLEVER.......................................... (0/0 people found this helpful)

Moist Von Lipwig, is a wonderfully colourful character. Lord Vetinari (an outstanding character and one of my favourities), spares Moist from hanging in order that he can save the Post Office which has lapsed into decay. Through Moist, a competition arises with the Clack System which is run by corrupt business men. There is an abundance of fabulous Golems, Post Office employees, and Moist finds romance.
The Gnus working serepticiously to spread a Clack type virus through the system, is an outstanding idea.
Though this book is far from being one of Mr Pratchett's best, it is an enjoyable read. However, I did find the ending rather predictable and disappointing.

Terry Pratchett

Reader Reviews:

Heir to Wodehouse and Waugh (0/0 people found this helpful)

Excellent (0/0 people found this helpful)

(audio cd .) just ok really (0/1 people found this helpful)

Going great guns! (1/1 people found this helpful)

CLEVER.......................................... (0/0 people found this helpful)

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