Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Abridged ... but still a good story, 17 Feb 2008
This was my first Pratchett audio books and, though abridged, was a joy to listen to, especially when travelling.
I love the way Tony Robinson (not one of my favourite actors) voices the characters, it is virtually perfect. I would love to see him narrate the entire book, rather than the abridged version.
ISIS books produce the unabridged version - but a quick word of advice - Nigel Planer is deadpan with little alteration in his voice. At times he appears bored with the story, pausing where there shouldn't be pauses and placing emphasis (when he gets round to it) where it shouldn't be. It appears to be a paycheque for Planer.
Robinson, on the otherhand, appears to be a Pratchett fan, is narration is full of the depth of the true connoisseur.
Overall, abridged or not, I'd sooner have Robinson than Planer.
One final comment about the ISIS audio books - avoid the MP3 versions which have every chapter on one single disc. The chapters don't run properly due to the numbering system that they are using for the individual tracks. Instead of 01, 02 ... 10, 11, etc they have used 1, 2, 3, etc meaning that you start on track 1 then move to track 10, 11, etc. If you are after a straight run without problems, fork out the extra money and buy the multi disc versions, you can play these anywhere on any system.
If you're new to Pratchett, or travelling, or going into hospital, then the abridged version are well worth having.
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13 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
COWER BRIEF MORTALS. HO HO HO., 23 Sep 2006
"Hogfather" is the twentieth book in Terry Pratchett's hugely popular Discworld series and was first published in 1996. He has gone on to win the Carnegie Medal for "The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents" and was awarded the OBE in 1998.
"Hogfather" is sometimes known as the third book in "The Death Trilogy". Like the trilogy's first two instalments ("Mort" and "Reaper Man") it gives Death - tall guy, somewhat underfed, carries a scythe, big grin - more than just a brief cameo. Like "Reaper Man", it's the Auditors who are causing problems. The Auditors are in charge of the universe : they see that atoms spin, that gravity works and that things move in curves. However, they hate life - especially humans (too many irregularities). In "Reaper Man", they wanted to force Death into retirement. This time, they want the Hogfather - Discworld's version of Father Christmas - `removed' from office (or grotto, perhaps). To this end, they've hired the disturbed (and disturbing) Mister Teatime from the Guild of Assassins to make sure he stays `removed'. Luckily, Death has discovered what's going on : with Hogswatch Night looming, the Grim Reaper dons a false beard, strategically places a cushion and takes control of the sleigh.
Death shares the spotlight, though : his new duties cause some problems for his grand-daughter, Susan Sto-Helit. Susan is working as a governess in Ankh-Morpork and, as part of her job, she regularly beats up the bogeyman with her trusty poker. In her free time, she occasionally drops into Biers for a drink ("Sometimes you want to go...where nobody knows your name"). It's in the pub that She's warned about her grandfather's strange behaviour by the Death of Rats and his eyeball-obsessed sidekick, Quoth the Raven. Initially, she isn't at all pleased to see the pair, but she has no choice but to get involved. The last time Death neglected his Duty, Susan was expected to take over...
Despite his profession, Death is one of the funniest characters the Discworld has to offer, and Hogfather sees Pratchett on top form. Quoth and Death of Rats are a welcome addition - they're a great double act. It may be a slight advantage to have read at least one from "Mort", "Reaper Man" or "Soul Music" before this (all are very funny) - however, even if you haven't you'll still find "Hogfather" hilarious. Highly recommended.
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5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's pronounced 'Teh-ah-tim-ah'!, 23 Feb 2006
This is probably the first review I've written on Amazon, but how could I possibly resist, seeing as this is my favourite book of all time!The plot (like all Terry Prachett novels) is wonderfully unique, and I have to congratulate Terry on creating such amazing and well-formed characters. Even readers new to the Discworld can't help but relate to its inhabitants - the goth Mary Poppins, Susan; her grandfather, The Grim Reaper; the oh God of Hangovers, Bilious; and the Professor Marcus/Hannibal Lecter cross Assassin, Johnathan Teatime. The descriptions are great, and I'm looking forward to how this will transfer to the small screen in the 4 hour adaptation later this year. I honestly can't relate in words just how great this book is, so just buy it!
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by Terry Pratchett
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by Terry Pratchett
