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shrimpy's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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? Yes
4.5
mdreadsandreviews's review against another edition
5.0
Previously had this as a 4/5. Upon re-reading, I think I understand why Sir. Terry Pratchett considered this the best book he'd ever written. Mau faces the complete destruction of his home and family and yet finds something inside that pulls him to rebuild his nation. With poignant, yet unvarnished, depictions of death as well as the pensive undercurrent common to all STP books, this is one of those "technically the publisher says young adult, but what do publishers know anyway?" books.
mlesmile's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
Just brilliant 👏🏻
celiapowell's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. What a fantastic departure from Discworld. "Nation" isn't quite set in today's world - we spend most of the book on an island in the South Pelagic Ocean, which might be something like the Pacific Ocean, except not quite. Mau, a young boy off on his manhood quest, return to his island home to find it devastated by an enormous wave, a tsunami. Daphne, a young English girl, is also marooned on the island, after the ship she was travelling on is washed up on its shores. Gradually, the "ghost girl" and the "savage" get to know one another, and come together to care for the other remnants of villages who come to their shore. Until the fires of the Nation draw cannibals to the beach...
I loved Daphne and Mau - Mau's reaction to his devastated village is handled so perfectly. While there are certainly some very funny moments in "Nation" (this is Pratchett, after all), this isn't a comedic novel like the Discworld books are. It's tragic in parts, funny in other, very human and wonderful.
I loved Daphne and Mau - Mau's reaction to his devastated village is handled so perfectly. While there are certainly some very funny moments in "Nation" (this is Pratchett, after all), this isn't a comedic novel like the Discworld books are. It's tragic in parts, funny in other, very human and wonderful.
corinna_naso's review against another edition
This book has been my favorite for a long time, with good reason. While many novels in this genre typically draw conflict from the protagonist versus nature, Nation involves the rebuilding of a community after a disaster. It's poignant, lovely, and one of the few books I own that I can't lend out, because I can't bear to part with it.
yippers's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, and Colonisation
rainonyourback's review against another edition
5.0
Gives a lot to think about. Quite the interesting intro to thinking about imperialism and colonialism. Colorful and realistic and diverse characters, awe-striking world building. Beautiful prose.
dmcke013's review against another edition
4.0
While he was alive, a new novel by [a:Terry Pratchett|1654|Terry Pratchett|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1235562205p2/1654.jpg] was always a treat.
This is one of those rare beasts, however: a non-Discworld Terry Pratchett novel, aimed more at the yound adult (I hate that term) readership.
I remember, as well, seeing a documentary at around about the time that Pratchett was first diagnosed with his 'embuggerance' (Alzheimers), as part of which they followed him to a convention. During that convention, he read several excerpts from his (then) new, as yet-unreleased book - this one. And kept losing his place.
That, for some reason, is something that I always associate with this book - perhaps because it was so uncomfortable to watch?
Anyway, this (completely fictional) novel is largely set on an island in 'the Great Southern Pelagic Ocean', following a tidal wave which sees the Nation of the title all but wiped out: all, that is, except for Mau who was on his way home following his coming of age ceremony and thus able to ride the wave out. Mau, and the sole female survivor of the shipwreck The Sweet Judy.
Thus follows various misunderstandings, with (I imagine) a bit of a role-reversal Robinson Crusoe, until the very last bitter-sweet ending.
This is one of those rare beasts, however: a non-Discworld Terry Pratchett novel, aimed more at the yound adult (I hate that term) readership.
I remember, as well, seeing a documentary at around about the time that Pratchett was first diagnosed with his 'embuggerance' (Alzheimers), as part of which they followed him to a convention. During that convention, he read several excerpts from his (then) new, as yet-unreleased book - this one. And kept losing his place.
That, for some reason, is something that I always associate with this book - perhaps because it was so uncomfortable to watch?
Anyway, this (completely fictional) novel is largely set on an island in 'the Great Southern Pelagic Ocean', following a tidal wave which sees the Nation of the title all but wiped out: all, that is, except for Mau who was on his way home following his coming of age ceremony and thus able to ride the wave out. Mau, and the sole female survivor of the shipwreck The Sweet Judy.
Thus follows various misunderstandings, with (I imagine) a bit of a role-reversal Robinson Crusoe, until the very last bitter-sweet ending.
halftimelord's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? Yes
3.0
Disclaimer: I wouldn't have picked up this book if I'd have realised it was a children's book, so this might be a biased opinion!
I haven't read much Pratchett and wanted to read something more light-hearted for a change. Although I don't read children's books, I did enjoy the beginning of the book and there were a lot of good characters.
The moral and theme of the story was good, and I was pleasantly surprised that it talked about colonialism. However, the book did seem to suggest that civilisations should be based on their scientific achievements which is a bit of a weird take. I got less interested as it went on, and the reveal at the endthat the story was being told in the future really didn't work for me.
I haven't read much Pratchett and wanted to read something more light-hearted for a change. Although I don't read children's books, I did enjoy the beginning of the book and there were a lot of good characters.
The moral and theme of the story was good, and I was pleasantly surprised that it talked about colonialism. However, the book did seem to suggest that civilisations should be based on their scientific achievements which is a bit of a weird take. I got less interested as it went on, and the reveal at the end
indiepauli47's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
3.5
I'm so sorry, Sir Pratchett, as I feel like I haven't truly honoured your book ; I've been putting it off for weeks, struggling to get through, while this book is actually great and the problem lies with my non-reading ass.
It was maybe not the right time for me to read this one, and also, I may have wanted more DW in my life, and obviously, this is not a DW book, but that doesn't make it bad.
It just makes *me* bad, for comparing what shouldn't be.
Anyway.
It still was a great story to read, Sir Pratchett's humour ever so present to tackle some deep questions about life.
This one is more on the YA side, but it didn't bother me.
I was *not* happy about the ending, but it couldn't have been more 'Pratchett-y' than that.
It was maybe not the right time for me to read this one, and also, I may have wanted more DW in my life, and obviously, this is not a DW book, but that doesn't make it bad.
It just makes *me* bad, for comparing what shouldn't be.
Anyway.
It still was a great story to read, Sir Pratchett's humour ever so present to tackle some deep questions about life.
This one is more on the YA side, but it didn't bother me.
I was *not* happy about the ending, but it couldn't have been more 'Pratchett-y' than that.