Interesting Times: A Discworld Novel (Discworld Novels) (Paperback)

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]

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The game requires a Great Wizard (actually a Great Wizzard) and the spectacularly un-great Wizard Rincewind is elected to play the role. Rincewind is packed off to the Aurient. Bluesman Albert Kings sings that "if it wasn't for bad luck you know I wouldn't have no luck at all." That is also what Rincewind has to say for himself: "Luck is my middle name," said Rincewind, indistinctly. "Mind you, my first name is Bad." Upon his arrival in the Aurient Rincewind finds, through no fault of his own, himself working with a cadre of young revolutionaries known as the Red Army who are determined to overthrow the Agataen Empire. They recite some extraordinarily obstruse and silly slogans in support of their cause. The Red Army seems based on Chairman Mao's cadres of the same name. On the other hand, this could be a sly reference to the supporters of the Aberdeen Footbal Club who refer to themselves as The Red Army. With Terry Pratchett you never know for sure.

Apart from Rincewind, Interesting Times features two other recurring Discworld players, Cohen the Barbarian and Two-Flower. All three rank as some of my favorite Discworld characters. I have a particular fondness for Rincewind. He comes across as a mild, inept figure who gladly accepts the mantle of `coward'. But after he gets knocked from pillar to post, after he has been slammed and slammed again, after he has tried every conceivable means of escape from danger a transformation occurs. In Rincewind's case the gods don't make him mad as in crazy but mad as in really, really angry. Once he gets angry he explodes in a fit of righteous indignation at the evil that men do. Cowardice is left behind and Rincewind becomes a fierce fighter for truth, justice, and the Ankh-Morporkian way. In short, he is transformed from mouse to mensch.

Here is Rincewind setting his young cadres straight on the issue of "leaders": "I know about people who talk about suffering for the common good. It's never bloody them! When you hear a man shouting "Forward, brave comrades!" you'll see he's the one behind the bloody big rock and the one wearing the only really arrow-proof helmet!" It may not be the most profound thought in the world but it is certainly one that bears repeating.

In another angry moment of clarity Rincewind comes to realize what Cohen knew instinctively when Cohen said that the Empire had something worse than whips to keep people in line: "The Empire's got something worse than whips all right. It's got obedience. Whips in the soul. They obey anyone who tells them what to do. Freedom just means being told what to do by someone different."

Chairman Mao once said that "a revolution is not a dinner party." That may be so, but in the capable hands of Terry Pratchett a revolution on Discworld makes for a very enjoyable read.

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