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: 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: 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: *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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 |