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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
This book is very hard for me to rate. Conceptually, it's probably a 5* book, as many Pratchett's stories are.
But in terms of personal enjoyment, this book was much closer to 2*s for me, unfortunately. It took me way too long to get through it and I had to take breaks. The story had some narrative elements that I did not appreciate, like plot conveniences with simplistic and unrealistic resolutions — this is also how you know it's intended for younger readers, and that's too close to 'dumb it down for the kids' for my liking. The book also felt very long, even longer than its ~400 pages would imply. The second half of the book is where most of the narrative issues happen, so if it had been written by anyone else, I probably would not have finished this book. My previous positive experiences with Pratchett's books kept me going, but I can't say that my patience was rewarded.
I am averaging this to 3.5*s, but that doesn't feel like a very accurate rating.
But in terms of personal enjoyment, this book was much closer to 2*s for me, unfortunately. It took me way too long to get through it and I had to take breaks. The story had some narrative elements that I did not appreciate, like plot conveniences with simplistic and unrealistic resolutions — this is also how you know it's intended for younger readers, and that's too close to 'dumb it down for the kids' for my liking. The book also felt very long, even longer than its ~400 pages would imply. The second half of the book is where most of the narrative issues happen, so if it had been written by anyone else, I probably would not have finished this book. My previous positive experiences with Pratchett's books kept me going, but I can't say that my patience was rewarded.
I am averaging this to 3.5*s, but that doesn't feel like a very accurate rating.
Rather deep stuff. I liked how it didn't come out to a happy ending.
I like Pratchett's humor, so I think I'll be going for Discworld next.
Just to let you know, this was sort of a Victorianish historical fiction, but in a parallel universe with slightly modified geography.
Also, I thought it was really awesome that it had tree octopi in it. See the Wikipedia page (which actually mentions this book, come to find out) and the official Tree Octopus site.
I like Pratchett's humor, so I think I'll be going for Discworld next.
Just to let you know, this was sort of a Victorianish historical fiction, but in a parallel universe with slightly modified geography.
Also, I thought it was really awesome that it had tree octopi in it. See the Wikipedia page (which actually mentions this book, come to find out) and the official Tree Octopus site.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
For many people, "Nation" is Terry Pratchett's finest book and I can see the appeal. Pratchett creates an alternate reality in which a shipwrecked English girl (whose father is in line for the English throne) meets the sole survivor of a tsunami on a small Pacific Island. Everything you might know about Pacific islands (not only colonialism, racism and some of the better stories from Stevenson's Pacific tales) are being turned upside down in this story about vengeful gods, scientific discoveries and human connection. The first part of the book is a bit exhausting and one can tell that Terry was ill and angry when he finished this book, but the underlying love for humanity and the intense wish to overcome Eurocentrism and division is amazing. I liked the second part much more but it's not a 5 star read for me. It's not as funny as I expected it to be too. I should reread it in a few years.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
Unique and not at all what I was expecting. This book was a pleasant surprise. The ending was somewhat out of the blue and slightly out of place as well (I didn’t like it very much) but having read another one of Terry Pratchet’s books, I should not have been surprised that he added something a bit weird. Mau and Daphne are so lovable and I kept cheering for them the whole way through. Although the book could be interpreted as a generally lighthearted book, it really isn’t. There are so many passages about gods and “what does it even mean to have a religion when your god isn’t doing what gods are supposed to do: protecting their people?” Definitely thought-provoking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Vomit
emotional
lighthearted
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:
No
Efectivamente, ha sido mi libro resaca. Llevaba tal tanda de libros buenos, que en algún momento alguno tenía que ser un pelín menos bueno y yo lo iba a notar como un salto abismal. Creo que me habría gustado mucho más en cualquier otro momento. No me sorprende cómo maneja cierta parte de la trama, pues a Pratchett los romances siempre se le han dado de aquella forma y, como el te sin azúcar o la cerveza, hay que aprender a paladearlos (ya me veía yo venir qué iba a hacer desde el principio, me temo). Y contiene la chispa genial del autor que tanto me gusta.
En fin, que me ha gustado, no en vano creo que podría decirse que es mi escritor favorito. Tiene, para empezar, un manejo precioso de la creencia y la divinidad que es reflejo de Dioses menores y de Papá puerco que me encantó. Me enamoré de ambes personajes protagonistas, pero sobre todo de Daphne. De hecho, sobre Daphne: se nota que está traumatizada (tanto como Mau), pero Pratchett la dibuja muy bien, reflejando su cambio y crecimiento de una forma preciosa. Lidia con su trauma a la vez que con sus creencias, de lo que ve con los ojos a lo que sabe que puede ser un engaño para los ojos. Se convierte en una líder y revela más de Pratchett que muchos de sus personajes. Si Mau es la furia de Pratchett, sosegada y firme, Daphne es su determinación de ser buena persona, de respetar, de autoidentificarse, de tomar las riendas de su vida y de hacer lo que hay que hacer.
Una persona no es nada. Dos son una nación.
En fin, que me ha gustado, no en vano creo que podría decirse que es mi escritor favorito. Tiene, para empezar, un manejo precioso de la creencia y la divinidad que es reflejo de Dioses menores y de Papá puerco que me encantó. Me enamoré de ambes personajes protagonistas, pero sobre todo de Daphne. De hecho, sobre Daphne: se nota que está traumatizada (tanto como Mau), pero Pratchett la dibuja muy bien, reflejando su cambio y crecimiento de una forma preciosa. Lidia con su trauma a la vez que con sus creencias, de lo que ve con los ojos a lo que sabe que puede ser un engaño para los ojos. Se convierte en una líder y revela más de Pratchett que muchos de sus personajes. Si Mau es la furia de Pratchett, sosegada y firme, Daphne es su determinación de ser buena persona, de respetar, de autoidentificarse, de tomar las riendas de su vida y de hacer lo que hay que hacer.
Una persona no es nada. Dos son una nación.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is something completely different to the Discworld books. Gone is the dry wit and humour and in its place is something that is quite serious and profound. I read this many years ago when it first came out, and I was also very lucky to see a performance of the play adaptation at the National Theatre in London when it was showing.
Definitely give this a read if you like Terry Pratchett, and also read it if you don't (but if you don't then what is wrong with you?!). Also, don't be put off by the fact that it's technically a children's book, as adults can get so much out of it too.
This is something completely different to the Discworld books. Gone is the dry wit and humour and in its place is something that is quite serious and profound. I read this many years ago when it first came out, and I was also very lucky to see a performance of the play adaptation at the National Theatre in London when it was showing.
Definitely give this a read if you like Terry Pratchett, and also read it if you don't (but if you don't then what is wrong with you?!). Also, don't be put off by the fact that it's technically a children's book, as adults can get so much out of it too.
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
I took a break from reading early Discworld to check out Pratchett's later novels as I found I just wasn't exactly vibing with the early stuff. Considering this book had me crying by the second chapter, I think its safe to say that his books got better (and reminded me just why I loved his other YA works as kid).
What I respect about Pratchett's YA novels is that they never condescend young readers and aren't afraid to delve into dark topics, especially here. A few chapters in and I already loved Mau and Daphne as characters, how they both deal with grief after the wave and the loss of loved ones and how they then question the structure of society and the world in general.
This book doesn't go the easy route of giving an answer, instead encouraging readers to think about what the story brings forth, all wrapped around an alternative history that turns the world upside down.
What I respect about Pratchett's YA novels is that they never condescend young readers and aren't afraid to delve into dark topics, especially here. A few chapters in and I already loved Mau and Daphne as characters, how they both deal with grief after the wave and the loss of loved ones and how they then question the structure of society and the world in general.
This book doesn't go the easy route of giving an answer, instead encouraging readers to think about what the story brings forth, all wrapped around an alternative history that turns the world upside down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Vomit, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Colonisation
Minor: Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Cannibalism, Cultural appropriation, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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