PTerryness.

[nny]

I slept last night. Which, for those of you that might hang around on street corners YM! will know, was a novelty. Mmmm, sleep. I'm pretty sure I had good dreams, too, and they were probably surreal, but I have no idea what they were other than happy.

Had my test on Pronunciation of English yesterday, and I think I did pretty well- at least on the translation and transcribing. This is due, in part, to copperbadge, whose Snupin I was transcribing phonetically all morning. Cheers Sam. Though I was giggling quite a lot when I was translating...

Just finished reading Monstrous Regiment.


I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it yet. I should probably read it again before making judgements... but, y'know, screw it.

Over all, I did enjoy the book. It had a good story, some genuinely chilling, thrilling parts, and a few bits that made me shove a hand in my mouth to prevent myself exploding with laughter at 4am. (The ornithology footnote, anyone?)

I cheered when Otto appeared. I loved the Truth, and I was genuinely excited that they were in the book. And, naturally, any Vimes completely makes my day. I was disappointed that there wasn't *more* Vimes- the Watch books are my favourites as a set, and Night Watch would probably be my overall favourite book. Initially I was a major fan of all of the Vetinari/Vimes interaction, but over the books Vimes has been become more and more fleshed out... I just adore his character. Even though he was only briefly in MR, the scenes he had counted.

But... there was something a little empty about it, for me. I may change my mind over further readings, but... it didn't have the immediate emotional impact of other books by PTerry. Possibly it's because I was having a little trouble keeping everyone's names straight at the beginning. As they were being referred to by first names, surnames and nicknames by turns, I got slightly confused. It'll make more sense on another reading.

It also doesn't help that I haven't seen Platoon, Apocalypse Now, or whatever else PTerry happened to be referencing. I've never been a major war film fan.

It rang a little hollow. I wanted to be amazingly moved by the part where Polly finds Paul, and he's drawing. I felt like it should be a moment where I teared up. There *was* a feeling of vague happiness, but largely I was just feeling... meh. It seems a shame, because other Discworld books- "In this time, and in this place..." for instance- I was biting my lip, pain in my chest, as I tried not to well up. I wish I had cared more about the characters, but I really didn't.

So all round, I remain unconvinced. It's a genuinely good book, and I will read it again, of course. But it won't be one of my favourites.

Oh, and I thought Maladict should've been a boy.


I'd be interested in hearing what anyone else has to say about it, because I've never had anyone to discuss Discworld with just after I've finished a book, before. *g*

Comments

[atdelphi.livejournal.com]

I quite enjoyed The Truth, which did the same thing - having brief bits with the Watch and the Patrician. I especially loved William's view of Vimes, which we, as faithful readers, knew to be way off. And the way that Angua's taking after Vimes makes itself evident. I'd be interested to see it done again, especially in a story set in Ankh-Morpork. I think maybe that's one of the reasons I didn't like MR so much. In The Fifth Elephant we had the same sort of scenery change, but it was from Vime's perspective which made it a lot more interesting.

Oh, and I loved Wee Free Men - a bit of Granny goes a long way ;-) I believe the next Discworld coming out is another Tiffany book. Wasn't expecting to like that character so much, but I adored her by the second chapter.

[villainny.livejournal.com]

Yes- I see the Ankh Morpork thing. That's what I was just thinking. Since it was in familiar surroundings, and there was interaction with many familiar characters even if they *were* only cameos... it felt more familiar, and I enjoyed it far more.

I love seeing Vimes through other peoples' eyes. That was one of my favourite parts of MR- when Polly's watching him crack up over Rust. I love the fact that they never see him as being as important as he is, and I think that's partly because I know it would please *him*. He doesn't *like* to be thought of as an authority figure- at least, not to the extent he is. He likes having immediate authority over a small group that he knows well. Likes having power over them through knowing their characters, secrets, and the way they will react. Which is partly why it would be so intriguing seeing him in charge of Ankh- it'd scare him shitless!

[atdelphi.livejournal.com]

Which is partly why it would be so intriguing seeing him in charge of Ankh- it'd scare him shitless!

I agree - It would be great to read about him eventually trying to run the city like he runs the squad ;-) Burying the paperwork, having Carrot take care of practically everything, making awkward speeches, knocking some heads together and, in the end, getting things done.

Oh yeah, and putting that hosebag Rust in his place but good.

[villainny.livejournal.com]

Urgh. Rust.

*runs off to shower*

I'd love to see Vimes shouting at Guild leaders as if they were recruits... though in this situation I almost regret that Downey replaced Cruces. Cruces would have had the better, more understated reaction to the jumped-up watchman trying to tell him what to do, I feel.

Shame he's dead, really.