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Book Review, © Copyright 1997..., Jim Loy
This is very silly stuff. See the list of books, below.
These stories take place on the impossible Discworld, which is a rotating disk on the backs of four elephants who are on the back of a great space-faring turtle, with the oceans pouring over the edge of the world into space. Many of the stories take place in the great city of Ankh-Morpork (where theft by anyone not a member of the Thieve's Guild is illegal (and I didn't mention the Assassin's Guild)). And many of the stories involve Rincewind, a rather unmagical wizard at the Unseen University (where the librarian has been changed into an orangutang, and enjoys bananas so much that he refuses to be changed back). Rincewind's main talent seems to be the ability to flee from danger. But danger (and his luggage, made of sapient pearwood) follows him wherever he goes. And, he knows one spell, which he is afraid to use because he doesn't know what it does.
The first story involves an invading insurance salesman, who sells insurance to the businessmen of Ankh-Morpork. And the city burns down, as everyone in the city has the same idea, to collect on the insurance. Some stories involve the Wyrd Sisters, three rural witches who fight the forces of evil (elves and others). Most stories involve Death, who TALKS LIKE THIS, rides a horse named Binky, and decides to take a holiday. And other stories involve the Ankh Morpork City Guard, including Corporal Carrot (an exceedingly tall dwarf). And there is Cohen the Barbarian (Ghengis Cohen). And every million-to-one chance is a sure thing, as it is in most fiction. It is all about as silly as you can get.
Here is a small snippet of conversation from The Last Hero:
Civilization ... killed old Vincent the Ripper. He choked on a concubine.
I think you mean cucumber.
The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents has won many awards as a book for young adults (teenagers), including the 2001 Carnegie Medal. The Wee Free Men may be intended for young adults, too. And Terry Pratchett is one of the most popular authors in the world today. See Interview with Terry Pratchett about The Amazing Maurice and Interview with Terry Pratchett about The Wee Free Men.
To order any of these book from Amazon.com, click on the title:
There are also a couple of cartoon videos: Wyrd Sisters (DVD VHS) and Soul Music (DVD VHS). And there are two Discworld computer games.