- Hardcover
- Publisher: ISIS Large Print Books; Large Print edition edition (Sep 1995)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1856952541
- ISBN-13: 978-1856952545
- Product Dimensions: 24.8 x 15.9 x 3.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,865,258 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Interesting Times (Discworld Novels)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Marvellous Discworld, which revolves on the backs of four great elephants and a big turtle, spins into Interesting Times, the 17th outing in Terry Pratchett's rollicking fantasy series. The gods are playing games again, and this time the mysterious Lady opposes Fate in a match of "Destinies of Nations Hanging by a Thread". --Blaise Selby
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
This spinner of crazy science-fiction tales is a very sophisticated jester' - The Times; 'Cracking dialogue, compelling illogic and unchained whimsy... Pratchett has a subject and a style that is very much his own' - The Sunday Times; 'Pratchett has as funny as Wodehouse and as witty as Waugh' - Independent; 'Imagine a collision between Jonathan Swift at his most scatalogically-minded and J.R.R Tolkein on speed... This total mess of- I suppose- a novel, is the joyous outcome' - Daily Telegraph
--This text refers to the
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First Sentence
This is where the gods play games with the lives of men, on a board which is at one and the same time a simple playing area and the whole world. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
This is where the gods play games with the lives of men, on a board which is at one and the same time a simple playing area and the whole world. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As the Discworld has grown in strength and Pratchett has added ore and more characters to his milieu, it's nice to read a book that harkens back to the series' origins. Rincewind, the inept wizard, is reluctantly dragged out of retirement to journey to the Counterweight Continent who are asking for The Great Wizzard. Once there, he finds himself dragged into a civil war, a revolution and a theft, led by another old familiar, Cohen the Barbarian...and at the back of all this, the once tourist of Discword, Twoflower. Some people say that this book uses stereotypes too much...but Pratchett has always used those stereotypes, not only because it's funny, but because it says something about the people we are. Rincewind is still as he should be (running away) and pulling back familiar characters into a terrific story is a sure-fire winner.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
With some minor magic, seasoned with a touch of quantum physics and a liberal dose of archeaology, Pratchett sends Rincewind the Wizzard across the Discworld. From Ankh Morpork, he arrives at the Agatean Empire on the Counterweight Continent, cushioned by a snowbank. Those studying Auriental history [knowing where the gold is] will recognize the failed wizzard is entering an alien environment. Luckily, familiar faces emerge. The first is the Discworld's most revered barbarian hero, Ghengiz Cohen - who is accompanied by some geriatric colleagues, the Silver Horde.
Rincewind isn't a tourist in the Agatean Empire, as Twoflower was in Ankh Morpork. He's been sent for in the midst of a political crisis. A dying emperor, five families contending for power, a revolutionary cadre and a mythical army must all be brought together to make this story work. Oh, yes, plus the Horde and Rincewind. Who else but Pratchett could seamlessly weave all these elements together? And keep you smiling with the turning of every page?
Yet, as usual, Pratchett does even more. He can maintain a balance between a reflection of ancient and modern China [sorry, Agatean Empire], bring forth a string of fascinating personalities and turn an impossible situation into reality without missing a beat. At the same time we are given a dose of chaos theory, familiar images of today's world politics and some philosophical images of the universality of human nature. For an added touch, something you won't see in any other "fantasy" novel, Pratchett's astute perception allows him to resurrect the 6 000 terra cotta warriors found in a tomb in China and have them march again.
The combination of Pratchett's wide-ranging knowledge, his ability to depict personalities - even though we'd prefer not to know a few of them - and the keen wit that keeps you delighted as you read is nearly overwhelming. He makes the writing look so easy as he leads you along the convoluted logic of Agatean politics, the irreverence and dedication of the Horde - who manage to ignore calendars, logic and the ongoing desperation of Rincewind's life. Pratchett is a practiced craftsman. Whatever your politics, whatever your philosophy, Pratchett is certain to offer new challenges and fresh ideas. Read, delight, and read again. He is always rewarding. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Quite possibly the funniest writer alive, Terry Pratchet stuns us again with this, the sixteenth book in the Discworld trilogy, Interesting Times. His brilliant wit and ability to stretch logic to it's limit and beyond, makes Interesting Times an "interesting" read to say the least.
Once again we find Rincewind battling (or rather trying to avoid and being caught up in) the forces of evil on the disc. We bump into the horde and go into the great city on the Counter Weight continent. We see a great battle and a rather intriguing butterfly.
Tossed and turned on life's great sea of adventure, Rincewind once again tries to live a normal and boring life, but no, he is cursed with that terrible curse that sounds something like... "May you live in interesting times".
A great book and a thoroughly good read. If you're a Pratchet fan you'll love it, if you're new to Pratchet, where've you been?!
Recommended to everyone!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great service
I bought this as a present as requested by the recipient who thought it was great. I can't comment on the content but the service was excellent.
Published 1 month ago by Ra
My you live in Interesting Times
With the Emperor on his last legs, rebels causing trouble, a barbarian "horde" at large and the various noble families jockeying for position, the Agatean Empire is in crisis. Read more
Published 10 months ago by T. R. Alexander
China story
This is indeed very Chinese! Sir Prachette never ceases to amaze me! From quantum mechanics he moved on to politics, not to mention IT, but in his own twisted discworld way! Read more
Published 13 months ago by K. Tsiligkiris
Interesting indeed
Rincewind is off on his travels again, albeit reluctantly, and saving the world by accident. This time with several geriatric barbarians in an adventure in a country not... Read more
Published 14 months ago by J. L. Dyke
Interesting Times
Bought this just to fill in time while sitting in my car waiting (often do) but found it much more than that. Read more
Published on 31 Dec 2009 by Mr. Colin J. Todd
Definitely one of his better books
Mr. Pratchetts more recent books are a far cry from the original formula: wild and crazy adventure stories with a lot of situation comedy, dialogue and writers' notes that made you... Read more
Published on 1 Dec 2009 by Eric Schallenberg
A real gem
This is one of Terry Pratchett's funniest books.The parody of ancient Chinese civilisation is spot-on and every page contains a hilariously witty gem.Highly recommended.
Published on 4 Mar 2009 by V. M. Hall
Fantastic piece of fantasy
This book is one of the best from the series of discworld - most interesting and verry funny.
Published on 8 Feb 2009 by S. Roos
Rincewind narrowly avoids death - AGAIN!
Have been reading the Rincewind books in order and this one is a particular favourite. Nice to see Twoflower and Cohen the Barbarian back. Pratchett at his amusing best. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2009 by H. Dickinson
A hilarious and intelligent story about a revolution... and its holy...
This book is the continuation of the two original Discworld novels, the ones which started it all - "Colour of Magic" and "Light fantastic". Read more
Published on 4 Sep 2007 by Maciej
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