Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
Mau is becoming a man when a tsumani wipes away the Nation. It takes away everything that he has known, and much that he never knew, but it also brings Daphne (not her real name), whose ship is wrecked on Mau's island. Together, they have to build their world up again, and they had better get it done before the raiders, known to eat their victims, arrive.
This is, basically, a fairy-tale for agnostics. Terry Pratchett is one of my favorite authors for dealing with the complexities of faith (or lack thereof) and he doesn't disappoint. This story could be understood as a YA Adam and Eve story, but it encompasses much more than where we came from. It attempts to explain why (and how) we stay together. I'm biased when it comes to Pratchett, but I can't think of a better book to give to young seekers. Recommended for YA readers of all ages, particularly those interested in questions of science, religion, and self-sufficiency.
This is, basically, a fairy-tale for agnostics. Terry Pratchett is one of my favorite authors for dealing with the complexities of faith (or lack thereof) and he doesn't disappoint. This story could be understood as a YA Adam and Eve story, but it encompasses much more than where we came from. It attempts to explain why (and how) we stay together. I'm biased when it comes to Pratchett, but I can't think of a better book to give to young seekers. Recommended for YA readers of all ages, particularly those interested in questions of science, religion, and self-sufficiency.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
He called himself the little blue hermit, scuttling across the sand in search of a new shell, but now he looks at the sky and knows that no shell will ever be big enough, ever.
A great standalone novel. You can always trust Terry Pratchett's stories to be freshly original. His writing style is unique: both beautiful and downright hilarious. I can't name anyone (yet) who better raises deep philosophical questions of belief, sense of self, meaning of life and death, choice and responsibilities... and combines humour that induces belly aching laughter, sometimes even in the same page. It's undoubtedly a good break from normal, dull reality of mundane life into a much needed exercise of the mind and the lungs. I was howling with laughter, waking up roommates, if I had any. The evocative messages will surely haunt you long after you finished the last page; the delightful descriptions will surely make you break out in a fit of giggles when they float up into your mind after days and months.
“It was, according to the history books, the fastest coronation since Bubric the Saxon crowned himself with a very pointy crown on a hill during a thunderstorm, and reigned for one and a half seconds.”
How about this one?
“They obeyed, as wise men do when a woman puts her foot down . . .”
I have to admit, his writing has a special kind of texture that needs a while to get used to. This is my third Terry Pratchett book, the first being Dodger followed by Amazing Maurice, which I needed several tries to understand what's going on. But every challenges come with rewards. The story takes a while to get into at first, but soon it transports you to another world, a parallel world like our own, albeit one set in the past (mentions of famous scientists remind me of Dodger) and action unfolding on an exotic tropical island, known as the Nation. That is, before everyone is killed by the Wave. Except Mau.
Mau's world is turned upside down... And it's going to be even more lopsided (wouldn't then it goes back in the right side? But what is right? What is wrong anyway?) when a pale ghost girl, who calls herself Daphne, turns out to be the sole survivor of a shipwreck -- unless you count the swearing parrot. With more people turning up, old enemies and friends arriving at the island, the story ends with a long anticipated scene, a twist and a bittersweet note.
And a lot of questions to ponder over on a train journey in the rain. Not that I'll experience that in the near future, but just how poetic that would be?
"...Whatever you choose, your choice will mean there are two new worlds. And perhaps sometimes, on the edge of sleep, we will see the shadow of the other world. There will be no unhappy memories."
"Yes, but --"
"No more words. We know them all, all the words that should not be said. But you have made my world more perfect."
I really love the characters. Daphne and Mau are the best!
PS I can't believe I finished it in 2 days! Wish I had read slower... But that wouldn't happen as you very well know... I'm too impatient to know what will happen next!
If you've made it down so far my review -- THANK YOU SO MUCH! I hope this persuades you to read the book, or comment so that I can hear your thoughts about it :D
A great standalone novel. You can always trust Terry Pratchett's stories to be freshly original. His writing style is unique: both beautiful and downright hilarious. I can't name anyone (yet) who better raises deep philosophical questions of belief, sense of self, meaning of life and death, choice and responsibilities... and combines humour that induces belly aching laughter, sometimes even in the same page. It's undoubtedly a good break from normal, dull reality of mundane life into a much needed exercise of the mind and the lungs. I was howling with laughter, waking up roommates, if I had any. The evocative messages will surely haunt you long after you finished the last page; the delightful descriptions will surely make you break out in a fit of giggles when they float up into your mind after days and months.
“It was, according to the history books, the fastest coronation since Bubric the Saxon crowned himself with a very pointy crown on a hill during a thunderstorm, and reigned for one and a half seconds.”
How about this one?
“They obeyed, as wise men do when a woman puts her foot down . . .”
I have to admit, his writing has a special kind of texture that needs a while to get used to. This is my third Terry Pratchett book, the first being Dodger followed by Amazing Maurice, which I needed several tries to understand what's going on. But every challenges come with rewards. The story takes a while to get into at first, but soon it transports you to another world, a parallel world like our own, albeit one set in the past (mentions of famous scientists remind me of Dodger) and action unfolding on an exotic tropical island, known as the Nation. That is, before everyone is killed by the Wave. Except Mau.
Mau's world is turned upside down... And it's going to be even more lopsided (wouldn't then it goes back in the right side? But what is right? What is wrong anyway?) when a pale ghost girl, who calls herself Daphne, turns out to be the sole survivor of a shipwreck -- unless you count the swearing parrot. With more people turning up, old enemies and friends arriving at the island, the story ends with a long anticipated scene, a twist and a bittersweet note.
And a lot of questions to ponder over on a train journey in the rain. Not that I'll experience that in the near future, but just how poetic that would be?
"...Whatever you choose, your choice will mean there are two new worlds. And perhaps sometimes, on the edge of sleep, we will see the shadow of the other world. There will be no unhappy memories."
"Yes, but --"
"No more words. We know them all, all the words that should not be said. But you have made my world more perfect."
I really love the characters. Daphne and Mau are the best!
PS I can't believe I finished it in 2 days! Wish I had read slower... But that wouldn't happen as you very well know... I'm too impatient to know what will happen next!
If you've made it down so far my review -- THANK YOU SO MUCH! I hope this persuades you to read the book, or comment so that I can hear your thoughts about it :D
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Any book by Sit Terry Pratchett is worth reading. This one is worth more. It's hard to describe this book - it feels like a mix of fairy tail and growing up, adventure and philosophy, in quite a lot of ways. I find it hard to believe any fan of STP will feel disappointed after reading Nation.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In addition to the usual Terry Pratchett hilarity and wry social commentary, this book was very moving and full of memorable and vivid images. It deals with some very heavy and dark topics, especially death and loss, in an eloquent and beautiful way.
Pratchett does some amazing things with this story. Nation is thought provoking and emotion evoking. It's both sad and funny and completely charming. While the novel skirts the depths of philosophical pondering, it does provide commentary on ways Westerners think and attempts to turn the world upside down.
For once I found I really had to push to get through a Pratchett. He writes all the characters with an eye to deflating idea of colonialism, and he writes it well, but I didn't really care for any of the characters and the relationships. Plus I almost kept calling Daphne 'Tiffany' because, well, she practically is the same girl (archetype), just in a different universe.