Small
Gods by Terry Pratchett is another of
his Discworld series, which gradually improves in quality as it goes
along (partly because, like Larry Niven in his Known Space stories,
he doesn't stick with the same region of his invented world, or to
the same set of characters, for more than one or two books). This
one is set in a country neighboring the Greece-analogue and
Egypt-analogue which figured prominently in Pyramids.
It involves a state religion, a lowly novice in that religion, and a
tortoise who claims to be the god incarnate. It's very good, better
than many of the earlier Discworld novels in plot, thought and
character, though perhaps slightly below average in number of
laugh-out-loud jokes per page.
(3/95)
Pyramids
by Terry Pratchett - good; part of his Discworld "series"
(set on the same world, but don't have to be read in order). Lots of
good satire both of historical Egypt and of silly New Age
interpretations of Egypt, also good plot, characterization, and
writing. About as good as his Guards! Guards! though
different.
(1/95)
Wyrd
Sisters and Witches
Abroad by Terry Pratchett. Two of the Discworld books;
these two should be read in this order, though for most of the series
reading order doesn't matter. Very funny throughout, sometimes
profound.
(2/95)
Lords
and Ladies is a later sequel about the same characters.
It's notable for its clever reversal of the traditional high fantasy
use of Faerie. (Neil Gaiman is also notable for this; much in
Lords and Ladies reminded me of his Sandman
short story "A Midsummer Night's Dream", in which young
Wm. Shakespeare's playacting troupe puts on a play for some strange
nobles out in the middle of nowhere.)
(12/98)
Other reviews (on the weblog):
Other Pratchett pages:
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Jim Henry.