The Truth: A Discworld Novel [Paperback]

William de Worde is the wealth rejecting son of an Ankh-Morpork noble. To earn a living he sends a news letter to various foreign dignitaries for $5 each. However an encounter with the discworld's first engraving press launches him into editing The Ankh-Morpork Times, which anyone can afford to buy. Along the way he is helped by an engraver's daughter, a vampire iconographer, who has a tendancy to crumble to dust whenever he takes a picture, and a man who wants William to print pictures of his humourous shaped vegetables. Things seem to be going well, untill William falls into trouble with the Engraver's Guild and the Patrician attacks his clerk. A plot's afoot. There's a new firm in town.

This is a must read for anyone who has even a minor interest in Terry Pratchett.

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Many who use Pratchett to escape from the realities of life will grizzle about this trend. This book is easily the least 'escapist' of any he's written. We are given a dedicated newsman who's challenged by business 'ethics'. A tabloid competitor emerges, offering readers glaring sensationalism, but false "news". Supplies of paper dry up, the press is demolished and survival of both the Ankh-Morpork Times and its publisher comes into question. This book isn't fantasy, it's history. It just happens to be Discworld's reflection of Round world's chronicle of business ethics. The only thing missing in this account is the "market survey" to assess what will sell to the population. Indeed, the most telling line in the book is Vetanari's comment that "people don't want news, they want olds" - the confirmation of what they already believe. "News" will simply cause people to think, and we all know how dangerous that is.

William de Worde's choice of "newsboys" an interesting touch. Foul Ol' Ron, the Duckman, and, in particular, Gaspode, purveying the A-M Times on the city's streets, would have been a memorable sight, but Pratchett pushes them into the background. Foul Ol' Ron as a reporter might have led the Times down an interesting path. The biggest news, however, is an almost murder. Vetanari is again placed in an unusual position for a City Manager, and the twists of that tale are Pratchett at his finest.

One thing missing in this book is the progeny expected by Sam Vimes and Sibyl at the end of FIFTH ELEPHANT. It's too soon for that in the Discworld timeframe, of course. Since Sam appears in this book, the image of Ol' Stoneface as a parent would have been priceless. Printing and spreading the news immediately called up anticpation of The Librarian making an appearance, but we have to do with Foul Ol' Ron instead - not a bad trade, just a small disappointment. Foul Ol' Ron might have been puffed a bit. After all, the only coherent expression he's uttered 'Queen Mary says to watch your back, mister' might well have been enlarged on here. Leaving all communication to Gaspode, who has his own agenda to follow.

Long-term fans of Pratchett shouldn't be disappointed that the light-hearted days of Rincewind and the Wyrd Sisters seem to be fading into the background. We should be glad he's still producing. Years ago in the US, a similar voice in the person of Tom Lehrer used humour to awaken Americans to some of their dearly-held follies. The election of Ronald Reagan drove Lehrer into retirement, a sad loss. That Pratchett is able to keep reminding us of who we are, and do it in such entertaining fashion, is a tribute to him and encouraging for us. He's telling us that he believes there's hope yet. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

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Well, I must say this is -ing fantastic (whatever it was that -ing meant)! Pratchett has truly returned to form.

The Truth sees a number of new characters popping up out of the woodwork. William de Worde is the editor of the ankh morpork times , he didn't particularly want the job, he didn't even ask for it, but he got it anyway. He's also in a lot of trouble. The Engravers guild are after him, He's got people wanting pictures of their amusingly shaped vegetables in the paper and the watch are having him Watched. This is not turning out to be a very good day. What is more, Lord Vetinari seems to have attempted to murder his head clerk, and the only witness is a dog named Wuffles (16) who is nowhere to be found.

I really enjoyed this book. we get to see a lot of the characters who we have grown to love from a different point of view (ie. the watch) and they don't seem quite so nice.

a must read for all Discworld fans! I wouldn't reccomend it to anyone who has only just started reading them though as you have to know about some of the characters involved and there's a fair few 'in jokes', refering to previous books.

And remember: The truth shall make ye fred!

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