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#samvimes
review
Robotswithpersonality
Snuff | Terry Pratchett
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Pickpick

Third reread. Still my favourite book. The one that got me out of a decade long reading slump, before I'd read any other Discworld books. Having now read all of them, and reread all the City Watch books, I'm overjoyed that it lives up to my memory. Vimes remains a character who you regularly see thoughtfully consider the challenge to his own assumptions and then do better as a result. Pratchett's writing in his voice is fully developed. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? While Thud! does a lot for Vimes, this is the only book that really moves from including Vimes as the head of an ensemble in the City Watch, to being primarily his story with a new supporting cast.

On that subject, Feeney is a wonderful addition because similar to Night Watch, you get to see Vimes in the role of imparting wisdom AND being reminded of his own flaws. The dialogue/attempts at punning regarding the pseudolanguage in reference
8h
Robotswithpersonality 3/? foreign cuisine and fighting styles doesn't age particularly well, but as a further way of underlining Vimes' continual journey from ignorance to fuller understanding while simultaneously indicating Freeney 's earnestness and potential, it works well.

I loved seeing Willikins fleshed out and put to full use in this story, it only makes me wish we'd seen more of him earlier. Obviously after Thud! you can't put that awesomeness back in the box
8h
Robotswithpersonality 4/? As much I remembered the reappearance of the Summoning Dark in this story, Willikins feels like the more eloquent depiction of a Vimes without the weight of the law, which is why he spends so much time being carefully, occasionally humorously reined in...most of the time...

The arc of the goblins is expertly plotted to travel from heartbreaking to uplifting, and stands as eloquent shorthand for any manner of oppressed and dehumanized groups
8h
Robotswithpersonality 5/? throughout history.

It pains me to say that a little Sybil goes a long way because I always love her contributions, but Pratchett has created a character who rarely needs more than a couple of paragraphs to accomplish wonders, whether it's being a confidant to a spouse or changing the minds of society. Still happy to see her conscientiously woven into the plot as needed.
8h
Robotswithpersonality 6/6 This time 'round I particularly felt the tying of ends, as much as they could be, for Nobby and Colon, the romance that might last for one, the dramatic shift of mindset that might last for the other. A footnote (though not literally 😉), but lovely possibilities offered. I can't honestly recall if they pop up in my books after this one, at the moment, so am happy to leave them in semi-retirement in the country.

⚠️ Speciesism, slavery
8h
11 likes5 comments
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Robotswithpersonality
Snuff | Terry Pratchett
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Having just survived the latest at work, I am in thundering agreement. 😫

11 likes1 stack add
review
Robotswithpersonality
Thud! (Discworld, #34) | Terry Pratchett
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Pickpick

Third time. Better. Every. Time. As I believe I said last time, Snuff has an unfair lead because it's the first Vimes/Discworld/Pratchett I ever read, but Thud! and Snuff are in an eternal battle as to which is my favourite. Each time I read this book I feel more impressed by how well it is put together. I love that reading this book as a whole is as engaging an experience as the climax, especially for repeat reads, watching how things develop, 1/

Robotswithpersonality 2/? what puzzle pieces lead where. I'm no longer impatient to see the full picture, I'm enthralled by how each part is presented, and the craft of putting them in a certain order that doesn't give the game away, but let's the reader join Vimes in the aha! moment, and learn some other valuable lessons along the way. The breadcrumbs relating to Mr. Shine are particularly fun on reread. 2w
Robotswithpersonality 3/? Obviously I love the books that are primarily from Vimes' perspective, but certain happenings give this book an exceptional emotional core. I think you also end up feeling strongly from the perspective of other characters. This time the plight of Helmclever in particular really hit me, and Brick's story, as well. The Summoning Dark meeting the Watchman remains an epic scene that just barely surpasses the leading up Where's My Cow? moments, 2w
Robotswithpersonality 4/? in my opinion.
The heartbreak of bigotry, how thoroughly hate enshrined in tradition can destroy, can threaten a better future, is shown to exquisitely sharp effect, but commentary on the how the vulnerability of those without support can be so lost to substance abuse, the dangers of unchecked power, in political and policing spheres, is also present and memorable.
2w
Robotswithpersonality 5/5 The Tawnee/Betty + Nobby with a side order of Angua v. Sally conundrum feels like a background murmur given the stakes of the main plot, but insofar as it does deal with female support and camaraderie and the recognition of one's own worth outside the scale of male interest, I find it more hopeful than cringe.
⚠️Bigotry/Speciesism?(racism between fictional fantasy races)
2w
11 likes4 comments
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Robotswithpersonality
Thud! (Discworld, #34) | Terry Pratchett
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🥹

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Robotswithpersonality
Thud! (Discworld, #34) | Terry Pratchett
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Sybil has many fine qualities. 😏
Not letting Vimes get away with an uneditorialized statement/rant is among them. 😁
I love her. I love their dynamic. ♥️

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Robotswithpersonality
Thud! (Discworld, #34) | Terry Pratchett
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Cue the evil laughter. There really should be a smiling emoji with sharper teeth. That feels appropriate. 😁😈

10 likes1 stack add
review
bekakins
Thud! | Terry Pratchett
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Pickpick

Love Sam Vimes 😆 I wish someone would adapt City Watch into a TV series. This got #doublespin done early in March, which is good cos my #bookspin choice is 1100 pages long 🤯

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! And good luck! 😂 1mo
8 likes1 comment
review
Robotswithpersonality
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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Pickpick

Better every time. I love rereading Discworld books, I just feel I grow to appreciate the story and the writing and the world that much more each time. It's part of the City Watch collection, featuring Sam Vimes and a the usual suspects and so it's a favourite, but it's also spectacular as a work on its own. The gender politics, and the regular politics, the contrast of civilization and savagery, 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? and questioning what qualifies as either, the first real inklings of the dark side of Sam Vimes forever held in check, the commentary on the darkness that comes from humanity, how werewolves can be worse because of the man rather than the wolf, the nature and importance of symbols and symbolic gestures, the different ways to be a guard or police force, the corrupting influence of power, 1mo
Robotswithpersonality 3/3 the importance of unions, the tragic fallout of narrow-minded tradition and the body count that self-hatred can yield. It sounds, and in may ways is, deadly serious and deeply moving, but it's Terry Pratchett so there is humour around most corners and a warmth, the chance for change and good choices always. ♥️
⚠️animal death, misogyny
1mo
16 likes2 comments
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Robotswithpersonality
The Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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Vimes.™

review
gossamerchild
Fifth Elephant | Terry Pratchett
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Pickpick

I forgot how much this book rocks. Vimes is such an intriguing, hilarious character, and Lady Sybil...ADORE her. Everything about this book just shocks the hell out of me. Considering when it was published, Pratchett's stance on transgender rights is fucking fabulous. I don't think I caught that the first time I read this. People underestimate the ability of SFF to make a goddamn statement, even if it is “only“ genre fiction. ⬇

gossamerchild Sorry, I get a little sweary (no, autocorrect, I did NOT mean “sweaty“) when I'm feeling passionate, and intellectual snobbery and transphobia PISS ME RIGHT THE FUCK OFF.

Anywhoo, fantastic book, highly recommended. #aam #terrypratchett @soubhiville
4mo
Traci1 I have this one on my bookshelf but haven't read it yet. Need to get right on that. 4mo
gossamerchild @Traci1 it's definitely one of the strongest in the series. 4mo
Bookwomble 🩷🩵🤍🩵🩷 4mo
34 likes1 stack add4 comments