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Title: Jingo: A Novel of Discworld by Terry Pratchett ISBN: 0-06-105906-4 Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 01 March, 1999 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.61 (83 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Pratchett scores again
Comment: Of all the series-within-a-series that the Discworld books include (Death, Rincewind, Granny Weatherwax, etc.), my favorite has to be the tales of Captain Vimes and the Ankh-Morpork Watch. "Jingo" continues their tales with an adventure that begins with a lost island arising from the sea. This, naturally, edges the city of Ankh-Morpork to the brink of war with Klatch for no apparent reason.
One of the things that made this book stand out, even from the other Watch books, is how Pratchett got to shine a spotlight on some lesser-used characters. Corporal Nobbs ("Nobby") gets a great, brilliantly funny subplot that starts with him wanting to find a nice girl and concludes someplace so wonderfully absurd I refuse to spoil it for you. Vimes is the level-headed leader of men we've come to expect. Even Lord Vetinari gets a chance to shine in this book like he hasn't in the earlier volumes. My personal favorite character, Captain Carrot, is pushed a bit to the background this time out, but he gets so much development in the other books it's hard to complain. Even here there are a few moments that show exactly how superhumanly rational Carrot is, rounding him out quite nicely.
Pratchett can blend satire, comedy and adventure in a way no one else can. If the day ever comes where I tire of the Discworld, you'll have to roll me away under a tarp.
Rating: 5
Summary: one of his best!
Comment: This is one of my favorite Pratchett books! If you've never read Terry Pratchett before: Welcome to a thinly veiled version of London in which social classes and races are represented by various fanatic creatures: gargoyles, humans, trolls, dwarves, etc.-all trying to live together and get along. Uberwald is Germany. Klatch is something like the near east. You'll recognize other places. Disc World is basically earth with London at the center and a few weird twists.
For those who are familier with Pratchett: This is one of the books featuring the Night Watch, but it's a somewhat mixed media performance with a lot from the Patrician (who is my favorite) and Lenard of Querm, also a bit from the wizards. A mysteries island rises out of the sea and both Klatch and Ank-morpork claim ownership. Some people in each country are willing to go to war over the island...but do they have ulterior motives?
In the confusion of a visit from the Klachian prince, Angua is kidnapped (want to know how to kidnap a werewolf? Read the book!) and the whole Watch sets off after her to Klatch, where they unravel a cunning conspiracy. The book has plenty of depth, makes a number of valid points about war, politics, racial prejudice (both prejudice against a minority race AND prejudice in favor of a minority race), and is just superior all-round storytelling. This is one of the few Pratchett's I've read twice.
Rating: 5
Summary: the so called war
Comment: A not-so-new island coming up from the sea causes diplomatic tension between Ankh-Morpork and its powerful neighbor, Klath. The tensions soon lead to a military confrontation - and yes, there's a problem. Only one side of the conflict has an army. Moreover, the army in question is led by a competent general, Ashal. Ankh-Morpork armed "forces" do include surprisingly good soldiers (like Willikins), but it is more than clear that they have not even a single goodish officer. The only one that is not a complete idiot turns out to be... oh, read for yourselves.
Little wonder the Klathians consider the war as a huge joke arranged for their amusement.
There's only one way to stop the ultimate destruction of the biggest city on Disc - diplomacy. With some support of idiot actions taken by people who either never dreamed to be considered soldiers (Vimes) or those who thought it's their birthright to be called officers (Rust) the necessary steps are taken.
And it all leads to an ... interesting end!
I admit I personally tell the difference between an "interesting" and "potentially interesting" Discworld book by checking out how much space is given to Vetinari, and I find that "Jingo" is absolutely satisfying. Take the "donkey-minaret" thing.
For all those of you who don't like Carrot=Superman thing, read the book. Oh, he does turn out to be abnormally clever and nice, but at least it doesn't make a big difference. For the Vimes's fans - read it, too. The man never claimed to be a soldier, after all. Vetinari's supporters will find themselves overhelmed with pure joy and purring . And it is nice to meet the other old friends - Angua, Detritius, Dorfl.
I strongly recommend reading earlier Watch books before this one, you'll miss too many jokes if you start with Jingo.
A must-read. Pratchett at his best.
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Title: Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett ISBN: 0061057649 Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 01 October, 1997 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: The Last Continent by Terry Pratchett ISBN: 0061059072 Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 01 February, 2000 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Hogfather by Terry Pratchett ISBN: 0061059056 Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 01 September, 1999 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: The Fifth Elephant: A Novel of Discworld by Terry Pratchett ISBN: 0061020400 Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 03 April, 2001 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Maskerade by Terry Pratchett ISBN: 006105691X Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 01 November, 1998 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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