BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies

Subject: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Wrinkles
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 07:44 AM

How many of you are Terry Prattchet fans I wonder?

How do you take his occasional digs at folk music?

Which book's your favourite and which character's do you like the most and/or identify with?

Personally I find no malice in his digs at folk music and find them quite hilarious.

Fave book: Small Gods
Fave character: Sam Vimes
Identify with: Angua (yes you may speculate why )

Wrinkles

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Sooz
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 08:22 AM

Any of the books with witches in for me! Love Granny Weatherwax but I'm more of a Magrat myself.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 08:57 AM

I read about a dozen of his books three or four years ago in rapid succession. They're all a mishmash. I couldn't tell you the title of a damned one of 'em.

My favorite character was The Luggage.

As for poking fun at folk music, if I were a professional writer I'd poke fun at folk music too.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Emma B
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 09:23 AM

Pratchett pokes fun at everyone and everything! I went to a talk by him and, when asked if he had received any "hate" mail after Small Gods, he replied that he hadn't but had received sackfuls after writing Lords and Ladies from Tolkein fans who KNEW elves weren't like that at all!
I have no favourite book - I love 'em all!
Favourite character - Death - he's very fond of cats......

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Raedwulf
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 09:42 AM

Yep. From the start (more or less). Me dad brought the first two books home from Westminster Libraries (where he worked). The family promptly devoured them...

No. He takes sly digs at a lot of things. But the way he does it, I think you have to have some understanding & affection for the target. Look at his take on Morris dancing, frex, at the start of Reaper Man. I think he understands. He's not mocking, he's poking fun. There's a world of difference. And anyway, there are enough cliches in folk music for there to be targets for him!

Partly because I was in at the start, Rincewind. Pratchett doesn't actually like having to write him, apparently! Ridcully & Death are not too far behind... Book is a much harder pick. Interesting Times or The Last Continent, possibly.

How about the two questions you didn't ask?

Least favourite book?

Least favourite character?

I'm prepared to forgive him Equal Rites, it was only his third Discworld effort, but I though Monstrous Regiment was pretty poor, especially the ending.

The Witches, I'm afraid. They stopped developing a long time ago, & everything is very, very predictable. They're cardboard cutouts, not characters. Nanny is a mere sidekick, & Granny will always win by (narrow-minded certainty in her own superiority) "per-sy-kology" (or however he spells it). I know Rincewind is The Eternal Coward, but his 'victory' is reliant on other characters, which keeps things interesting. Granny needs no-one except herself & has been getting increasingly boring, IMHO.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: el_punkoid_nouveau
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 09:46 AM

The plain truth is that Mr Pratchett speaks the truth - we all perpetrate folk music to some degree! he has met quite a few "folkies" (I hate the term, btw) - some of whom are considerably worse perpetrators than others... he was at a wedding where quite a few of these were gathered. But he doesn't single folk music out for attention more than any other subject!

I'm not sure which is my favourite book - I tend to prefer the later ones though.

As for characters - Nanny Ogg, DEATH, Susan, Granny Weatherwax...

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: *Laura*
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 10:09 AM

I haven't read many - but I LOVE Good Omens (its Neil Gaiman as well) and Death is brilliant. I love him!
I also love the footnotes - 'to americans and other aliens' and all the ones about milton Keynes. heh. heh. heh.
Like you say - it's not offensive, it's just poking fun.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Flash Company
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 10:26 AM

I have all the Pratchett books except 'A Hatful of Sky' which I will get round to eventually.
I loved 'The Thief of Time' and as a man with a (very short) army career I loved 'Monstrous Regiment'. Aside from all the tranvestite soldiery, so much of the depiction of the 'Military Mind' was spot on.
Least favourite book 'Carpe Jugulam' never really got to grips with that one.
Favourite character Susan, the Gothick Governess

FC

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: The Walrus
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 10:36 AM

As has been pointed out, TP pokrs fun at everyone and everything , with folk music and morris dancing, it's direct, with others it might be a slightly 'back handed' swipe.

Favourite Book?: Night Watch, it's slightly darker than most (I remember I first read the "They're remembering who they're not singing it with" line on 11th November - timing or what?)

Favoutite characters?: Death (very popular, it seems) and Vimes ("Hi, I'm Sam and I'm a cynical bastard!"), oh and Cohen the Barbarian.

Identify with?: I'd like to say Carrot, unfortunately, I'm more like Colon.

Least Favourite Book?: Monsterous Regiment, it seems weak in comparison with the rest of the canon.

Regards

Walrus

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 11:16 AM

I've recently been turned on to the books by a co-worker who's English and a serious fan. I've only gotten through the first 6 books or so (up to Small Gods). :-)

I can't see that his folk music digs are any worse than any other of his digs at the rest of the world. And, I happen to know 3rd hand that he's a Young Tradition fan, so...

I don't know about identifying, but thus far I enjoy Death and Granny Weatherwax (I like her approach to "headology").

There's been one book thus far that I didn't feel compelled to finish: Moving Pictures.

My English friend says getting the humor in the books is highly dependent on the degree of one's anglophilia (for those who aren't natives) -- whether you know anyone who's English, whether you've ever been there, etc. I've only noticed a few jokes I couldn't get; I keep wondering if there's more I'm missing...

~ Becky in Tucson, Arizona

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: GUEST,MBSLynne
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 01:03 PM

Yep...all brilliant...When I start trying to think of favourite books, I start with "Lords and Ladies" but then there's......and I could go through most of the rest. Though I think the first two or three were a little less brilliant perhaps. He hadn't really got into his stride then.

As for favourite characters....the Witches, Vimes, Ridcully, Death...and again...most of the rest.

Who do I identify with? Well I've often said I'd like to think I was like Granny Weatherwax (who has become one of his most powerful characters in my opinion) but I have the awful feeling that I'm much more like Nanny Ogg!

I don't feel at all offended by his digs at folk and folkies...most of it's true anyway!!

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 01:06 PM

Moonglow is off at a UIL writing competition this morning or she'd have already responded that her Secret Santee (E_P_N) influenced her interest in Prattchet. I don't know if she'd read him before, but I do know she very carefully read the book she sent, and spent a lot of time laughing over it. When recently asked which book she thought I'd like, she told me that the one she mailed would have been a good one. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Megan L
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 02:38 PM

I'd love to be someone anarchic like the luggage or the wee free men or even Sam Vimes but i'm probably more of a rincewind.


Who would you introduce to the luggage? :)

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Cats
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 02:55 PM

I'm defintley Granny Weatherwax... and as for terry digging at folkies... it takes one to know one. A couple of years ago he was seen at Wadebridge, now Cornwall, Folk Festival, in the back bar of one of the pubd joining in with the rest of us.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: GUEST,Ooh-Aah2
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 03:13 PM

He's a great writer - favourite book is 'Small Gods', least favourite by a long way is 'Monstrous Regiment' - so bad it could have been by a writer who had read his other books but failed to understand what makes all the others so good. Favourite character is definetely Greebo in his human guise - 'No wonder the lady cats scream in the night.'

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Pogo
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 03:21 PM

O_O Yes. I love the books. Every one is my favorite until I read the next one. " The Fifth Elephant " though holds a special place in my heart because it was the one that got me hooked.

My college roomate and I would spend hours reading the books outloud to each other.

My favorite character hands-down is Samuel Vimes because aside from being a character in a fantasy series he has to be one of the most " real " and honest characters I've ever encountered in reading. Though I wonder if we will see anymore of him after " Night Watch " which seemed to be a fitting epilogue for him. Right under him, Rincewind, Carrot, Lady Sybil and Tiffany all vie for second place ;)

My least favorite...oh eh...there's some I'm not so crazy about but I don't outright dislike them. The villians are even likable in a weird way.

The one I'm afraid I most identify with would probably be either Twoflower or Leonard De Quirm.

Even if I don't really get the 'anglish ' humor I laugh anyways {O)

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 05:18 PM

If I didn't like a book that much, I've forgotten it. My favorite book is usually the last one I've read. He does seem to be getting a bit darker and more meaningful with each book, but the meaning sort of sneaks in in such a way that a person could ignore it if they wanted to.

Last one read was Thief of Time. LOVED the martial arts: okidoki, shiitake, upsidazi, no-kandu, tung-pi, and deja-fu. And lines such as: "It's in the darkness where your eyes can't see. The universe becomes two halves, and you live in the half behind the eyes."

I like The Luggage and The Librarian, whose name I can't remember, and
Rincewind, who is a bumbling idiot who's capable of great deeds, which usually happen accidentally while he's Just Muddling Through (like everybody else). Death's pretty cool, but so is the Death of Rats - SQUEAK! - and The Horse...Binky.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 05:28 PM

Fave is "Good Omens" -- this thread reminds me that it's about time to reread it.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: *Laura*
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 06:06 PM

I agree - I LOVE Good Omens - what is it?
'To americans and other aliens - Milton Keynes was built to be a nice, quiet, altogether pleasant place to live. Many Britons find this amusing'
heh. heh. brilliant stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: GUEST,Anne Croucher
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 07:45 PM

I like and re read all the books as I find them - they tend to wander around the house something dreadful.

The funiest one, however, must be Reaper Man - I have to read it when alone but that might just be the death of me one of these years.

I don't really like shopping, and I hate shopping centres. The idea of travelling miles to go to one would just not occur to me. Even large supermarkets make me slightly twitchy, even if they do sell huge ready made trifles.

Anne

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 08:07 PM

A couple of the books were animated - what happened to the rest?

He's my second favourite author - My favourite is Robert Aspirin.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Cluin
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 08:31 PM

I prefer Douglas Adams.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: open mike
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 04:58 AM

HAVING HEARD ABOUT pRATCHETT from this forum,
i plan to read one of his books soon.
Is Wyrd Sisters a good one to starts off with?

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: GUEST,Wrinkles
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 06:36 AM

Hi Open Mike.

As a fan of Prattchet from the get-go I have to say he didn't really get into his stride, or his fantasy world have any internal consistancy, until the 4th book "Mort" which is probably the best book in the Diskworld series to start with.

Wrinkles

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: GUEST,Wrinkles
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 07:56 AM

FT;
Only Wyrd Sisters and Soul Music were animated. Soul music was the better of the two (Christopher [saruman] Lee voiced Death!) but Wyrd Sisters not so good at all. June Whitfield, voicing Nanny Ogg, convinced "Cartoons are for children" toned down Nanny Ogg's lines because she thought Nanny's earthyness was "inappropriate for children": Terry Prattchet was most displeased, which probably explains why no more were made.

IIRC there's a Live Action version of one of the books in the pipeline, but I'd have to check my old 'Ansible's to confirm that, and they're still on an old HD I havn't extracted the files I want to keep from yet.

Emma B:
Yep he did get a lot of hate mail after Lords and ladies, but Tolkien fans were not the main culprets at all! At the time most of the mail came from people who believe they are reincarnations of Elves; I kid thee not! Do a google of "Otherkin" and be prepared to have thy mind boggled. There is some overlap as many of these folk seem to have been informed of elves from Tolkien, and quite a few believe that Tolkien was an Otherkin, not writing fiction, but memories of his life as an Elf. They've lists of fantasy writers who "got it right" and therefore are obviously either Otherkin themselves or "Elfreinds", and non-Otherkin ones who "made it up" and give us humans the "wrong idea" about elves. Lord Dunsany tops the fist list and Prattchet the second. Oddly few are aware of Norse ledgends of Light and Dark Elves or their close folkloric relatives the Irish Sidhe, Tuatha De Dannan; and those that do believe that the Scots Folklore of the Seelie Court predate the Irish and Norse - which are mere corruptions of the Truth as given in Scots folklore.

Pogo:
Vimes turns up as a supporting character after Night Watch in both Monstrous Regiment and in Going Postal.

In Gerneral;
Some books do seem on first reading to either be weak or out of cannon, but they get much better with re-reading; Monstrous Regiment is definitly one of those; it's deep and it takes a while to get it - the hidden comentary on political Spin and the western attitude to Saddam Hussain's Iraq passed me by completly on first reading. I loathed Sourcery when I first read it too, now I do not understand what i found to dislike in it!

I'm kinda surprised that seeing as Mudcatters are Musicians or Fans that Soul Music, his most music dependent book that takes affectionate swipes at working musicians and their life, hasn't been cited as fave
by anyone yet. It introduced Susan too!

Wrinkles

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: GUEST,Jeri
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 08:00 AM

I meant to say this yesterday, but didn't, so will now. I don't think his 'digs' at folk music are different than the ones folkies make. He takes the piss out of Morris dancers, which seems acceptible enough. He also managed make them heroes at the same time.

In a world where "I'm a Lumberjack" is used as a dance tune, somewhere there is probably a side that has combined martial arts with their dancing and now performs Morris katas, with or without staff or sword.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: GUEST,Leadfingers (via the back door)
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 08:08 AM

I would reccomend trying to read then in the order they came out , if only to watch the way the Characters are developing - Lord Vetinari for example , as well as Sam Vimes . As well as seeing the way T P has developed , himself !!

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: GUEST,Legal Eagle
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 12:09 PM

Leadfingers, agreed. There are lots of backwards references that need to come out in order. Monstrous Regiment is one of my favourites, even the ending: so folk music! I also love Moving Pictures - an iron grip on the Hollywood mentality.

Favourite characters?   CMOT Dibbler, maybe, or even Brutha. How about Mrs Vimes?

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Layah
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 12:18 PM

I don't think I could pick a favorite character or favorite book. I like the ones about the night watch best...or maybe the ones about death. I think my favorite character would have to be Death, or Vetinari...or Vimes, or Carrot. Yeah, one of them.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Polly Squeezebox
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 12:34 PM

Terry Pratchett lives in the area of Chippenham in Wiltshire, and so his 'local' morris side is Chippenham Town Morris - need I say more. Lovely chaps all of them - but definitely all 'characters'. He is seen practically yearly at Chippenham Folk Festival - usually incognito, but sometimes there to officially present 'his' special morris award at the 'alternative ritual dance' competition held at the Old Road Tavern. I'd say he is certainly folk friendly (and also friendly to folk!).

Polly

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Fred Maslan
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 12:41 PM

Favorite character, Vimes, Vetinari, Sybil, Leonard, rincewind etc etc etc

Favorite book: small gods, night watch, pyramids, interesting times, maskerade (which I didn't like at all at first). Also "the Bromeliad" not discworld at all.

Least favorite: good omens, couldn't get into it at all.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 03:34 PM

To those 'in the know'. It should be clear that much of Terry's books evoke 'Filk' songs. One of the better ones being Terror Time in Lancre

I also like Terry's insistence (to the best of memory) "All folk songs start with a long drawn out note, ... to give you time to get away!"

I must join the majority with favorite characters of DEATH & Sam Vimes, however there are bit-part players without whom the whole series would be much poorer. I'm thinking particularly of Mrs (Rosie) Palm, of the guild of seamstresses. She takes such responsibility for her house full of young ladies. Surely a credit to her profession.

CHEERS

Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 04:08 PM

Terry Pratchett
Earlier, related thread

Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: 42
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 04:46 PM

Carpet People!
j

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 05:31 PM

Err, has anyone the full words and tune to Nanny Ogg's favourite song? Pratchett has written that he has been offered many, maany versions, but is there an official one yet.

This is, you will recollect, the Hedgehog song, with the chorus "the Hedgehog can never be buggered at all".

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Jeri
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 05:50 PM

There are songs. Specifically, two written by Heather Wood:
The Hedgehog Can Never be Buggered at All
A Wizard's Staff Has a Knob On the End

Richard, I liked Soul Music, even if it was mainly about Music With Rocks in.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 07:02 PM

Hedgehog, wonderful.

Wizard, dead blicky.

That'll be Heather WOod, formerly of the Young Tradition?

I'm still hunting for a cheap second-hand copy of Soul Music - it's not in stock new in WHSmiths in Gravesend.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Jeri
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 08:32 PM

The Wizard is now undead. Yes, she's that Heather Wood. If you go to the first link (click on her name), you can see what she's been up to.

They usually keep most TP books in stock at my local bookstore. Let me know if you get desperate, and I'll see if I can provide you with a copy. Amazon would be faster. I was going to provide a link to Terry Pratchett at amazon.co.uk, but their design doesn't allow for it. Type "Pratchett" into the search box at the top, and you ought to get to the right information.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Pogo
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 08:42 PM

Wrinkles: Hooray!!! I have not read Monstrous Regiment or Going Postal but I'll be sure to check them out.

Incidentally as a counselor at a girl's camp I brought along Guards! Guards! and read part of it outloud to the girls in my bunk. They loved it!!!! I had to...erm...do a bit of editing here and there (it was a church group LOL) but I may have to bring it back next year to continue reading it ^_^

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 03:29 AM

Thank you Jeri.

How wonderful Heather still has that enthusiasm and irreverence. She must be no longer young!

Now I'm going to have to source both tunes.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Crystal
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 04:56 AM

I LOVE Prattchets digs at folkies. He truely understands morris dancing!
fave book: Witches Abroard, or Hogfather
Fave Character: The Patrician
I identify with The Luggage. I know how it feels to be that angry!

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: GUEST,CrazyEddie
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 06:29 AM

Good Omens would probably be favourite, but it is not a Terry Pratchett book is it (T. Pratchett AND Neil Gainman).

So, witches abroad as favourite Book, but Vimes & The watch as favourire series (With Mort & Reaper Man second).

Someone said that the Witches are not developing, and Granny is now too predictable. I think that is why we now have Tiffany Aching. She has power, but not experience, so there is more room for development. He couldn't have put her too close to Granny. The country just wouldn't have been big enough for both of them.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Grab
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 08:17 AM

Pogo: Going Postal is kind of fun, but a bit more on the serious side. Not as dark as Monstrous Regiment though.

Monstrous Regiment is an oddity. Unlike his others, which are comedy with a serious undertone, this is heavily serious with odd comic moments - but the comic moments accentuate the seriousness of the rest of it. It's so utterly different from anything else he's done, I understand why it's not as popular. I didn't really like it myself on the first read-through, but if you re-read it as its own entity (rather than just another fantasy-comedy) then you see it for what it is.

Favourite book: can't pick one, but the shortlist would be Soul Music, The Amazing Maurice, or Only You Can Save Mankind.

Favourite character: shortlist again is probably Sam Vimes or Susan, although it's impossible to keep Death out. ;-)

Identify with: Probably Maurice the cat. Although I can definitely see myself as Johnny or one of his mates. And as a singer, possibly the Prophet Brutha ("Tell me, before these people are put to death, do you sing to them first?" "No!" "Ah, a merciful death then...")

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: GUEST,Charliea at work
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 09:25 AM

Lords and ladies is my fave - sexual Morrisment!

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Wrinkles
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 05:14 PM

Hi Pogo ;-) and all other "reading alouders",

Once, when my adult son was ill and couldn't focus his eyes without getting a headache, and was getting very board with radio and CDs, I began reading aloud a Diskworld book to him. It began a familly tradition and now we always have one on the go!

I love reading them aloud too, both because I've a little skill at accents and voices (I love putting "character" into the Characters) and the "on the fly" editing one has to do to turn jokes that work in written form into something that works verbally! It's really great fun.

I've found that often descriptions of situations in Prattchet, which only raise amusement when read to ones self, become belly shaking howlers when read aloud! I've found myself spluttering through laughter, trying to actually say out loud what's written.

Wrinkles

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: GUEST,Chief Chaos
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 06:14 PM

I'm a long time fan. It's just too bad that the only thing that we yanks get this side of the pond is the books. I have a smidgen of the Night Watch book that's orated (don't know where it came from) and would like to get the others. Only two are available going postal and monstrous regiment at our bookstores.

Favorite book: Soul Music

Least: Fifth Elephant (I'll have to re-read it) Monstrous Regiment to me was great but then being military I probably identified with it too much (I've heard the socks talking I swear it's true).

Favorite character: Ook the Librarian. I've been known to borrow him for my own attempts at fiction (check the Chongo Chimp story about WWII Nazi spies). I think Terry should do a book devoted to Ook finding himself and finding a mate as well.

I also think the Ankh Morpork Fire Dept. is long overdue "Where There's Smoke" would make a good title. I know the last time they tried the firemen turned into pyros to keep their job but now with the expanding economic conditions of Ankh Morpork and the new newspapers there's alot more to burn in town. Just keep the water buckets away from the fool's guild, it's something in the red nose!

As far as making fun of folkies, I'm proud to be the target of his humor!

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Burke
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 09:14 PM

I have not read all the books & remember some imperfectly.

My favorite book is still Small Gods. I'm also fond of Hogfather. I love the library at Unseen Univ.

Favorite characters: Susan, Death, the Librarian

I have Going Postal from the library & am having a hard time getting into it. It seems to have too much of a message going.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: coldjam
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 09:41 PM

I am with the others, my fav is the one I'm reading...fav charactors...sapient pearwood (Luggage), Death, Squeak, the female werewolf whose name eludes me at the moment, Cohen the barbarian...all of them. amd the good part is there are still books of his I haven't read. Life is good!(Elves are bad!)

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Gurney
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 02:33 AM

Yep, me too. I particularly like the books with the Wee Free Men in them.   Admire Sam Vimes. Know someone like every character in the books.
Pokes fun at folkies? So do I. I am impressed by his knowledge of history and culture.
I'd like to see the stick-and-bucket dance, -from a distance.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Torctgyd
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 09:47 AM

Soul Music - TP spent a whole book setting up one joke - Brilliant.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: GUEST,Vic at work
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 10:46 AM

I'm sure there is a morris side that use 'a luggage' as a stick box.!?
Favourite character, so many to choose from but at the moment - Ponder Stibbens. I just love his rise through the wizardly ranks. Give him a book of his own, please, Terry.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 03:34 PM

I've tried reading Terry Pratchett but haven't been able to get into it at all. At first I thought it was because I didn't start with the first book but when I tried that I still didn't get past the first two or three chapters.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Gurney
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 02:40 AM

They are fantasies, pet. Perhaps you don't have a fantastic mind...er, perhaps I should refrase that...

Try two of the latest, 'The Wee Free Men' and 'A Hatfull of Sky." They are aimed at younger readers, which is probably why I like them. Second childhood, you see.    Regards.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: GUEST,sandra in sydney
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 08:21 AM

I've read a lot of them & if I had the space would collect them. Recently I was seriously looking at the Art of Diskworld, but decided to just wait till I see it in the library (or maybe on sale, but where will I put it?)

I loved Maurice & the Time Monks & Sam & DEATH & the Patrician is an interesting character, too.

The Last Continent had me laughing continually, as did Maurice & his talking rats.

The most recent books I read were 'The Science of Diskworld'. I found Vol 2 in one of my local libraries, so looked for Vol 1 & found it in my other library, then read them in order. Strangely enough, one library classifed them as fiction, the other as non-fiction. I did like the Elves, but I was very pleased when the Wizards won!!

Unfortunately the both libraries seem to have run out of un-read Diskworld books. Tho I suppose I could borrow one I've already read.


sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: GUEST,MattII
Date: 17 Feb 05 - 01:40 AM

I've read most of the books. No favourite characters or books. I tend to dislike the earlier books, but only because the characters are less developed. A book could be made about the earlier lives of Granny Weatherwax and Mustrum Ridcully (they did have an affair after all). I like the way he can tie in main characters (Vimes, Rincewind), major characters (Vetinari, D. of Rats), minor characters (Greebo, Constable Ping), and one timers (various wizards, heroes, etc.) into a seemless framework.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 17 Feb 05 - 02:09 PM

I should have mentioned Carrot earlier, if only for his appearance in the Radio4 version of "Guards Guards". Making him provincial was expected, after all, he is a dwarf (by upbringing), but to give him a Welsh accent, and make him appear simple.
Surely it is a coincidence that the Welsh for 'carrot' is 'moron'!

Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 17 Feb 05 - 03:24 PM

Actually, having been thinking, I rather like Gaspode.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: My guru always said
Date: 17 Feb 05 - 04:20 PM

Have read all of them, loved all of them, though they seem a bit jaded now. Got all of them in pristine first edition hard back (apart from the first 2 discworld ones which I understand now command a very high price if they ever come on the market).

Also have a CD of Terry Pratchett songs (including Hedgehog song & the Wizards staff) which I have to say was a bit disappointing really. Now I can't find it, have probably lent it out - I wonder who to???

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Raedwulf
Date: 17 Feb 05 - 05:14 PM

Don't feel too bad, Nigel. Carrot being both Welsh (Pratchett has always tended to make the 'true' dwarves "Welsh", vice the 5th Elphant frex, they're miners & drunkards, 'nuff said... ;-) ) & simple is a coincidence. And the real joke, of course, is that Carrot isn't, & never has been, simple.

Unworldly originally, but not stupid. Strait-laced & inexperienced, but... Latterly, frequent asides & inferences show just what a nasty ticking, logical, copper's mind Carrot hides behind his "I'm just a dumb plod, honest" facade...

And if "the Welsh for 'carrot' is 'moron'", it only goes to prove the subtlety of Pratchett's humour!

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: HuwG
Date: 17 Feb 05 - 06:22 PM

Oddly, the Welsh word, "moron" means "carrots", plural. A single carrot is "moronen" (n.f.).

This usage is not exactly standard, but logical in a country sense. One eats carrots, grows them, puts them in stew etc, all in a plural sense. It would be a rare country person (perhaps an obsessive champion vegetable grower) who would ever refer to a carrot in a singular sense.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 17 Feb 05 - 06:38 PM

Becky

Even if you're English you have to re-read to get some of the jokes!

Terry Pratchett presented one of last night's awards in the Radio 2 Folk Awards, and owned up to being a long-time folk fan.

I remember meeting him at a folkie wedding do in Saffron Walden in October 1992, and chatting about morris dancing stuff (because I was the squire of Flowers of May at the time), and then reading Lords and Ladies when it came out.....

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 18 Feb 05 - 04:09 AM

Re- Terry Pratchett at Chippenham. I believe he acts as adjudicator for the annual Stick and Bucket dance competition. Is Mick the grumpy landlord still behind the bar at the Old Road Tavern?
No problem with Terry taking the piss out of folk music - there is so much there to parody. He is obviously a great fan of the music and should be canonised!

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 18 Feb 05 - 06:03 PM

Well, he was presenting stuff at the BBC folk awards. He's been in folk circles for a while...

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 07:01 AM

I love Terry Pratchett books.

Favourite book has to be Soul Music.

Favourite character would be Death (cos he loves cats). Death fo Rats is also very cool, although I think he should have a bigger part in the books as I love the little tiffs he has with death.

I also really like The Wee Free Men, but agree with many others about Monsterous Regiment, I wasn't that fussed. I found it a chore to read and had to force myself to finish it, whereas normally I can finish a discworld novel in a few hours, and god help anyone who tries to disturb me whilst doing so.

I love the discworld stuff that much that I also collect the official figurines (when I have the money cos they're so expensive), I also have books on the art of the discworld, and I also draw the pictures from the discworld and have them plastered around in various places.

PRATCHETT ROCKS!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 06:56 PM

Just finished Soul Music - underwhelmed. Quite a few nice variations of song titles, but the villainy of the music business generally understated and likewise the deviousness of the MU. The record industry escaped unscathed - and nothing about music lawyers!

Only a smidgeon of "too fast to live, too young to die" makes it, as well, not to mention the culture wars endemic in music fashions.

What about the deathwish of the Ramones, the Sex Pistols (yes, I got "Anarchy in the UK" thanks, but that's such a microcosm), Jan and Dean, and the Doors (or was the Librarian Little Richard or Rick Wakeman?), - not to mention Iggy Pop (not dead yet)

I think there were really two books, maybe three, in there fighting for space - one about music as sociopathy, one about DEATH'S psychology, and another about the psychology of death.

Casting Curt Cobain as Buddy Holly seemed a bit odd, too.

And where were the fakes like Alice Cooper, Tiny Tim, and Marilyn Manson?

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: coldjam
Date: 09 Jun 07 - 02:13 PM

So I heard through a very soggy grapevine that there has been a Disc World Film made in the UK...Is it true? Has anyone seen it? Review?

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Crane Driver
Date: 09 Jun 07 - 04:22 PM

'The Hogfather' was made into a live action TV series for Sky over Christmas 2006. I didn't see it as we don't have Sky. It's now out on video, but I haven't got it yet. Stars David Jason as Albert.

And yes, I've got most of the books. Hogfather is a great one for parodying folklore, mythology and all the 'Golden Bough' stuff.

And Vimes has returned in 'Thud!' which tells the true story of the battle of Koom Valley, where the Dwarves and Trolls were supposed to have ambushed each other.

Andrew

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 09 Jun 07 - 05:26 PM

My husband and one of my children are huge Terry Pratchett fans -- I have never been able to get into his books but after this thread, will try Mort and see if that works. I hope it contains Death riding his white horse Binky which reduces the aforesaid husband and child to tears of laughter........

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Tig
Date: 09 Jun 07 - 05:41 PM

Try the witch books Trubrit - Wyrd Sisters, Witches Abroad etc. They are by far my favourites. The Badger is a major Pratchett fan but there's quite a few I haven't managed to get through.

I also like Wee Free Men and A Hat Full of Sky which I was told were children's books but, like Magic Roundabout, have LOTS for the young at heart.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 09 Jun 07 - 05:53 PM

Will do --- I feel really inspired to try them........the house is full of them and it seems I read everything but.......

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 09 Jun 07 - 07:54 PM

El Punkoid - was that wedding in Saffron Walden? If so, Herga Kitty and I were both there! The bride was an author and frequently had 'literary dinners' at which TP was a guest, with other authors. She appeared fleetingly as a minor character in (I think... may be wrong) Lords and Ladies which was published shortly after the wedding, in time for the Christmas market. The groom was a morris dancer, still performs in mumming plays and is one of the nicest guys ever born. He has a cute bum too.

I loved the animations but felt the recent 'Hogfather' relied on TV trickery a wee bit too much.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: coldjam
Date: 09 Jun 07 - 08:41 PM

So was it animated or do you just mean the FX? Liz were they true to the books? Did you get the feel of disc world?

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 09 Jun 07 - 10:37 PM

There have been a couple of animated series of Pratchett books.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: The Walrus
Date: 09 Jun 07 - 11:23 PM

LTS wrote:

"...I loved the animations but felt the recent 'Hogfather' relied on TV trickery a wee bit too much...."

Liz,

What did you think of the casting for 'Hogfather'?
I must say that I thought David Jason was wrong for Albert - he wasn't deep-down-nasty enough (maybe the 'spirit of Hogswatch' had got to him).
Unfortunately, the ideal actor for the part, IMHO, is long dead - Wilfred Bramble (although possibly, Richard Wilson could probably make a stab at it).

Tom (Walrus)

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 09 Jun 07 - 11:29 PM

In 1994 my (then) 12-year old son introduced me to the first Pratchett books I read (the Diggers etc trilogy, followed I think by Wyrd Sisters). He borrowed them from the school library - the British School in the Hague was very progressive! Needless to say, I was immediately hooked, as was the whole family, and we (all four) have read each and every one of his books. I just finished Wintersmith.

The man is pure genius, and I particularly love the way so many of his jokes work on two levels: one for the kids, and one for adults. I'd be hard pushed to tell you which is my level, I think one of the reason I love him is that he made it OK for me to be a kid again!

Like Jeri, my favourite book is the last one I read, though "Good Omens" does have a rather special place in my heart, and indeed I have used one of Terry's expressions there in one of the newer songs ("The thing about pollution is, the sunsets are so beautiful!"). And Mort, too. And - crivens! - I mustn't forget the Wee Free Men.

I had guessed he was a closet folkie - there is warmth in his digs at folk music and Morris. On the cover of Wintersmith he relates how, during a book signing, a bunch of guys turned up all dressed in black, with no bells and no music, and silently and solemnly danced the Dark Morris in front of his signing table!

Pratchet has affected (infected ?) our family vocabulary to a disturbing degree. Our suicidal pet tortoise in Greece was Om, of course, our daughter is an expert in headology, we all love things onna stick (bless you, CMOT!), and we love troll psychology (perpetrated with something big and heavy over the head).

At the day job I am a little like Lord Vetinari (I am by nature manipulative), though I try to be more like Sam Vimes. At home I try to be like Sam Vimes again, but Vanessa says I am more like the Librarian - especially first thing in the morning! And if truth be told, most of the time I feel that I am too much like Detritus for my own liking.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: JennyO
Date: 09 Jun 07 - 11:45 PM

I was introduced to Terry Pratchett via the witch books a few years ago - Wyrd Sisters was my first one. I think that is a good place to start. I love his stuff, and so does John.

I think I'm Nanny Ogg mainly, with a little bit of Granny Weatherwax thrown in.

I was reminded of Granny Weatherwax recently when there was a thread on here about being able to tell when a person is dead. When Granny Weatherwax went 'borrowing', her still appearance might have caused some confusion, so she always wore a small sign saying "I aten't dead".

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 10 Jun 07 - 04:58 AM

I thought David Jason was wrong too.. he wasn't horrible enough - whereas the animated version of Soul Music had him down to a T from the book descriptions, but did indeed look rather like Wilfred Bramble. Ever tried fried porridge? Ian Cuthbertson was fairly good as the voice of Death - it was a much more boney, chill and icy rendering than Christopher Lees, but lacked his subterranean undertones and commanding presence. When Christopher Lee appears at your bedside to take you to the underworld, you know there's no arguing!

We too have 'sausage inna bun', 'ook' (usually when de-lousing the child though) and my favourite 'buggrit, buggrit, millennium hand and fish'.

I personally know 'Foul ole Ron' - I've sat opposite him on the tube many times, many, many times! I have sailed along a canal that makes the river Ankh look liquid, I know someone who can understand the Mac Na Feegles and may herself be the Kelda and I used to work in a pub where Greebo reigned supreme. He had both his ears and was called Errol, but it was still Greebo.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Green Man
Date: 10 Jun 07 - 06:04 AM

As an ex murris mon I loved the idea of the Ank Morporkh Ninja morris men who could decapitate you with a flick of a stiffened hanky.

Also the idea that the stick and bucket dance, danced in a stone circle in the presence of a WOMAN could open a portal so that the cruel lords and ladies could enter our (his) world.

Yes I am a fan and would highly recommend looking at the wrld through pratchet goggles. I do and you are all funny. !! Ha Ha Ha

(Green Man rolls about clutching his sides then looks in the mirror and bursts into even greater paroxysms)

The beauty of his characterisations is that I know some of those people, maybe not with the same names but definitly with the same quirks.

GM

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: GUEST,coldjam
Date: 10 Jun 07 - 01:42 PM

So before I start searching the web for videos or dvds of this stuff anything I should look for first?

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: The Walrus
Date: 10 Jun 07 - 03:19 PM

GUEST,coldjam,

"...So before I start searching the web for videos or dvds of this stuff anything I should look for first?..."

I'd recommend that you try the books, as with radio - the pictures* are better.

Walrus


* In your head

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 10 Jun 07 - 05:09 PM

What happened about the Stick and Bucket dance at Chippenham this year? - I battled with the elements from the Cause to the Old Road Tavern on Sunday, in the hope of meeting up with Manitas and HSA for a meal, but conditions didn't seem propitious for holding any kind of dance event outdoors.

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 08:20 AM

I don't know what happened about the stick and bucket dance but, in future, don't worry about the weather as it is always held in the barn.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: coldjam
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 01:45 PM

GUEST,coldjam,

"...So before I start searching the web for videos or dvds of this stuff anything I should look for first?..."

I'd recommend that you try the books, as with radio - the pictures* are better.

Walrus


* In your head

Thanks Walrus but I'm already a dyed in the wool Prachett fan...just wondered what would be the dvd or video I should go looking for???

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 06:10 PM

I'm not sure both the animated ones are available on DVD yet - Wyrd Sisters certainly is, but I couldn't find a reference to Soul Music.

It entirely depends on whether you like animation or not. I'd go for Soul Music, it's got some wonderful bits.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: coldjam
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 08:10 PM

Thanks Liz!

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: The Walrus
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 04:06 AM

coldjam,

"...Thanks Walrus but I'm already a dyed in the wool Prachett fan...just wondered what would be the dvd or video I should go looking for???..."

Sorry, my mistake - I made an assumption (Okay, I admit it, I'm an idiot) [wanders off to beat head against wall]

Personally, I'm not a great fan of any if the animation or film pieces, mainly because they don't measure up to how I see things in my mind (doesn't mean I won't sit and watch them :-) ).

Good luck with your search.

Walrus.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 06:18 PM

Of course the pictures are always better in your head, but some people haven't had the experiences that will spark the "right" images... Never having tried LSD, I find the sparkly music bit in 'Soul Music' the closest to how I imagine it would be.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 07:17 PM

Walrus

Stop that!

Walls cost money to fix, you know!

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Claire M
Date: 14 Mar 13 - 04:10 PM

Hiya,

Funnily enough was looking him up today ready for ensuing Steeleye album based on his books. I love fantasy, write myself, & I've had him recommended a daft amount of times. Just got the significance of one of the names: Tiffany Aching. It cracked me up. The sort of thing you've got to read twice to get, I think. Am I right ??

All I can remember from his stuff is this:

& "& if you ain't got a penny, Foul Ole Ron yodelled, solo, "then fff****_yer mmmfff......."

So either his books weren't/aren't very good, as in not to my taste; there's always one who thinks differently, & that one's usually me. Maybe I wasn't the right age for them or something ?? I'll try again.

I've known, & do know, quite a few men like Foul Ole Ron, & get/have got on really well with them.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: MMario
Date: 15 Mar 13 - 10:27 AM

I like "Where's my cow?"

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: GUEST,John from Kemsing
Date: 15 Mar 13 - 11:21 AM

With "WIKIPEDIA" so readily available I suppose the words "Sshhh, Who is Terry Pratchett?" are totally redundant now, even if some of the info. may be a bit iffy.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: michaelr
Date: 15 Mar 13 - 08:54 PM

What's the joke on Tiffany Aching? Please enlighten me! And you say Steeleye Span are making an album based on TP? Tell me more!

The Color of Magic was made into a TV film, with Sean Astin (Samwise in LOTR) as Twoflower.

Am now reading the latest (final?) Discworld nover, Snuff. Very enjoyable.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Claire M
Date: 16 Mar 13 - 08:25 AM

Hiya,

Michaelr –- New cd seems to be called 'Wintersmith', & there's a song about a young witch heroine. That must be Tiffany (or it could be me – well, I can dream!)

Only found her name while looking Pratchett up because I like to know background for songs. My own luv of/obsession with Steeleye (friends would say obsession) coincided with a Robin Jarvis book about witches. I grew up both fascinated by & frightened of Maddy's voice, & to this day I still am. I take it you're seeing them; if so, where ??

Tiffany Aching (say it slowly) =/= something else aching, a certain part of your body, esp. if you're from the US. Perhaps I'm wrong & have heard far too many bawdy songs!

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: keberoxu
Date: 08 May 16 - 03:17 PM

Dear Moderators, would you please correct the thread title spelling of author Terry Pratchett?? Please?!

Terry Pratchett had only one child, his daughter Rhianna. In an interview shortly before her father succumbed to a condition like Alzheimer's, Rhianna Pratchett disclosed that there was one Discworld novel for which she wanted to write the script for an adaptation. It was The Wee Free Men, and she had admitted this to her father. (Polygon.com, September 3, 2014)

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Paul Burke
Date: 08 May 16 - 03:32 PM

The Wee Frees aren't Discworld- nor are the Carpet People. And as for the spelling, he'd only find it wyrd.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchett and folkies
From: Reinhard
Date: 08 May 16 - 04:18 PM

Huh? The Wee Free Men (aka Nac Mac Feegle) are Discworld. They appear for the first time in Carpe Jugulum. And Granny Weatherwax appears in the whole Tittany Aching / Wee Free Men subseries.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Thompson
Date: 09 May 16 - 05:32 AM

Fanny on this side of the Atlantic doesn't mean your bottom, it means your vagina.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Raggytash
Date: 09 May 16 - 05:48 AM

The Kelda of the Nac Mac Feegles (Jeanie) referred to Tiffany at Tir Far Thionn (Land Under Wave)



Incidentally Fanny was a forename in England, certainly in the late 19th and 20th century. My paternal Grandmother was called Fanny.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: keberoxu
Date: 09 May 16 - 05:10 PM

re: the Nac Mac Feegle: don't forget their newcomer, Wee Mad Arthur, brought up by gnomes (which always makes me think of The Full Monty). Wee Mad Arthur makes a star turn in one of the Discworld books about Vimes and the Watch. But I've forgotten which one it is. Vimes and Colon and Noddy, and the dauntless Carrot, are climbing upon and falling off a roof someplace, and Wee Mad Arthur, who has yet to be recruited to the Watch, turns up and is utterly without fear. Hilarious.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 10 May 16 - 02:23 AM

Fannies (any other meanings aside) were also a (volunteer) UK branch of the armed forces, tasked with logistics & communication in times of disruption.
They were known as the "Female Auxiliary Nursing Yeomanry" or "First Aid Nursing Yeomanry"


100

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 10 May 16 - 01:08 PM

Wee Mad Arthur also manages to combine the "Craw step" (some sort of teleportation) with piloting a captured bird to travel long distances in another of the series.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: keberoxu
Date: 24 May 16 - 07:43 PM

BBC wrestler (!! I didn't see THAT pun coming!!),
I think the book with the craw step is "Snuff" in which Sam Vimes and Lady (Duchess?) Sybil come to the rescue of the endangered goblins. Wee Mad Arthur has to go to great lengths to tell Vimes that goblin magic has been treacherously misused on Sergeant Colon, of all people. Tobacco is used to smuggle the drugs that are fatally addictive to trolls. That is a virtuoso undertaking, that plot.

Just got my first look, though, at the Hogfather book. I don't know if that's a good book to begin Terry Pratchett's DiscWorld with; I like it the better for having got acquainted with its characters in previous books.

I was weeping with laughter over that hilarious moment when Death's adoptive grand-daughter Susan is confronted with a terribly anxious "Death-of-Rats" telling her that her grandfather Death needs attention, because he is trying to substitute for the Hogfather at Hogwatch. And of course D-o-R is desperately trying to communicate all of this in rat-speak, or should that be, rat-squeak. At this point the references are layers deep:
Santa Clause/Hogfather with the jovial laugh Ho! Ho! Ho!
Death with his otherworldly earth-quaking "HO. HO. HO."

...and the poor D-o-R imitating Death's imitation Hogfather:
"...squeak eek squeak squeak eek eek "HEEK! HEEK! HEEK!"

Wonder if I'll ever get to see the animated version; the book is brilliant enough. Thanks for listening.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: keberoxu
Date: 25 May 16 - 04:41 PM

Thompson, did I read you right? On your side of the pond, "Fanny" is the c-word?

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: keberoxu
Date: 25 May 16 - 07:50 PM

...and his name was Pratchett, not Prattchet....

---

I didn't change the spelling in the thread title, so people who can't spell can still find Terry Pratchett threads.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 25 May 16 - 08:41 PM

Collins Dictionary - British English - fanny it's the same in Australian English!

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: keberoxu
Date: 26 May 16 - 05:49 PM

well, I tried.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Brian May
Date: 27 May 16 - 02:53 PM

Well I'll start by spelling my hero's name correctly:

Terry Pratchett - I've enjoyed every single book I've read of his. Favourite character being Granny Weatherwax I'm afraid.

The 'Long' series are a bit strange.

The Tiffany Aching series is my favourite group of books.

Always puts a smile on my face - they're permanently on my Kindle.

I miss a world without him creating new masterpieces though . . . .

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: keberoxu
Date: 27 May 16 - 03:51 PM

I looked at the Long stuff myself. Well, those are a joint effort, so there is another author in there. It is indeed weird. Bit of a martyrdom complex at work with the characters.

Pardon the redundancy, but Pratchett's daughter Rhianna got her father's blessing to take the first of the Tiffany Aching books and adapt it.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: michaelr
Date: 28 May 16 - 02:21 PM

I've read the "Long" books. Interesting concept, tedious execution. Nothing in there of the celebrated Pratchett wit.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Prattchet and folkies
From: Brian May
Date: 28 May 16 - 06:54 PM

Yeah, the 'Long' series were . . . but as you point out it was a collaboration and I wondered how much influence TP had in the writing of them.

So 'nothing in there of the celebrated Pratchett wit' - agreed.

However there are over 40 books with plenty of it in there.

Take care all, enjoy them.