Reply to: Terry Pratchett has alzheimer's

[Board Game Geek]

Start smoking the same stuff as BGG...

Never touched the stuff.

<Back on topic>

Ok..time to fess up.

I have tried, a few times to like Terry Pratchett's books. I've tried to read Colour of Magic several times. And failed.

I know, I know, I'm a geek, a roleplaying geek at that, and by virtue, I should be a Discworld fan. But his writing doesn't do it for me.

Don't get me wrong..I love fantasy novels (when I have time to read them), but the only comedy fantasy I can read and enjoy is Tom Holt (or for non-fanstasy fiction : Tom Sharpe)

There is a considerable difference of style between the two authors, as one might expect, and I find Holt's prose, plot and people to be more engaging, than the constant suspension of disbelief required by Pratchett.

Eg, in a Holt Murder Mystery, you are presented with a cast of suspects, including Thor the God of Thunder (now wheelchair bound and grumpy because of Health and Safety regulations), Joan of Ark (Noah's wife), Dr Crippens (Acid Salesman and DJ), and Faust II (Faust's Son who works in insurance). With that entertaining cast, you can make assumptions and at least try and spot a suspect.

In a Pratchett novel, the cast is a Walking Chest with Legs, A Talking Doorknob, A piece of Toast with a burnt image of Jesus on it, and an aardvark called Ralph. And at the end, you learn that Monty the Moleskin Assassin did it. ...er.......righhhhht....

I consider Holt to be far more adept at his research and plot construction, than Pratchett. But that's personal opinion.

A talking doornob does not fire my imagination the same way as imagining "what if Thor was reduced to a wheelchair and was a grumpy old so and so..what would he be like ?"

[Diver]

I prefer the writings of his younger and less well-known brother, Alan. Actually he doesn't exist. Nothing to see here...

[beaker]

He's as witty as Bill (patronising) Bryson, enough said

I prefer the writings of his younger and less well-known brother, Alan. Actually he doesn't exist. Nothing to see here...

[Diver]

Funniest guy writing today imo.

Been reading them since they first started coming out (20 odd years ago). Go read going postal (My favourite, and loosely analogous to our profession) and then come back and say they're drivel.

The man is a literary god. with a sense of humour that defies belief.

unfortunately little understood by the non intellectual reader.

[Bagpuss]

- the guy not only is incredibly funny (If you ever read Bill Bryson - I think they share a very similar sense of humour), but he's an incredibly good writer.

He's as witty as Bill (patronising) Bryson, enough said

[oracleslave]

Literary snobbery IMO. I read just as much, if not more, 'serious' literature and some fairly chunky non fiction books (I've usually got three books going at the same time, different genres depending on what I feel like) than most people, but somehow reading fantasy is looked down on.

There's plenty of garbage out there in fantasy, but so does every other field in literature and Pratchett's stuff is brilliant - the guy not only is incredibly funny (If you ever read Bill Bryson - I think they share a very similar sense of humour), but he's an incredibly good writer.

It's not gonna change anyone's mind, if it's not your bag it's not your bag. But if you're willing to give up a few evenings of your time go read Going Postal like I suggested and you may be pleasantly surprised.

Nothing to do with snobbery here. Just is not my bag as you say.

[snaw]

Literary snobbery IMO. I read just as much, if not more, 'serious' literature and some fairly chunky non fiction books (I've usually got three books going at the same time, different genres depending on what I feel like) than most people, but somehow reading fantasy is looked down on.

There's plenty of garbage out there in fantasy, but so does every other field in literature and Pratchett's stuff is brilliant - the guy not only is incredibly funny (If you ever read Bill Bryson - I think they share a very similar sense of humour), but he's an incredibly good writer.

It's not gonna change anyone's mind, if it's not your bag it's not your bag. But if you're willing to give up a few evenings of your time go read Going Postal like I suggested and you may be pleasantly surprised.

[sasguru]

I just struggle with people writing about golems, wizards, banshees, zombies, werewolves etc.

Yes classic sign of geeks inability to relate to the real world.

[oracleslave]

Start smoking the same stuff as BGG...

Ok fess up BGG. Where do I get the good stuff?

[Churchill]

I just struggle with people writing about golems, wizards, banshees, zombies, werewolves etc.

Start smoking the same stuff as BGG...

[Bagpuss]

I just struggle with people writing about golems, wizards, banshees, zombies, werewolves etc.

[oracleslave]

Funniest guy writing today imo.

Been reading them since they first started coming out (20 odd years ago). Go read going postal (My favourite, and loosely analogous to our profession) and then come back and say they're drivel.

I just struggle with people writing about golems, wizards, banshees, zombies, werewolves etc.

[snaw]

Funniest guy writing today imo.

Been reading them since they first started coming out (20 odd years ago). Go read going postal (My favourite, and loosely analogous to our profession) and then come back and say they're drivel.

[KathyWoolfe]

Hand on just need to get my I-Spy book, a rare sighting indeed, a female geek

[Bagpuss]

None of you appreciate his humour and insight - that's obvious. I have all his discworld books and I have enjoyed them immensely.

Hand on just need to get my I-Spy book, a rare sighting indeed, a female geek