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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Complicated
I will throw down with anyone you rates Terry Pratchett less than a wise and loving genius. That this is a book for young people (probably about 11-13) makes the above even moreso my conviction. I cannot wait to read this with my 11 yo.
The first non-Discworld book of Pratchett's I've read. It's very, very fast, feels like a short story. He has toned down the really dry wit (a bit) that Discworld readers are familiar with. The story is more straightforward. With Discworld, you're sitting down with Terry and he is telling you a story directly, as if it happened to him, with lots of jokes and sarcasm.
This book has that, but to a far lesser degree. And that was actually enjoyable. Most of the humor in DIscword is between the author and the reader, conversating directly. Here, the humor is in the story itself. The author is not (usually, sometimes he sneaks in) talking to the reader. It was refreshing.
And it has a very sweet ending clearly written by a man who loved the world and loved science.
This book has that, but to a far lesser degree. And that was actually enjoyable. Most of the humor in DIscword is between the author and the reader, conversating directly. Here, the humor is in the story itself. The author is not (usually, sometimes he sneaks in) talking to the reader. It was refreshing.
And it has a very sweet ending clearly written by a man who loved the world and loved science.
I did not want to read this book. I've checked it out from the library and returned it unopened several times, because while it is Terry Pratchett is is not a Discworld novel, and I had some vague idea that meant it wouldn't be as good. But then I read a collection of essays by Pratchett, and he mentioned Nation as the best book he's ever written, and talked about how much he loved it. I immediately tracked it down again, and I'm so glad I did.
This book isn't just angry. This book takes a look at all of the injustices in the world and rages at them. I wish I'd read this as an angry 13 year old just hitting adulthood. I wish I'd read this as an angry 19 year old just starting to discover the real world. I will be finding a physical copy of this book to add to my shelves, because I will probably add this to my rotation of annual reads.
This book isn't just angry. This book takes a look at all of the injustices in the world and rages at them. I wish I'd read this as an angry 13 year old just hitting adulthood. I wish I'd read this as an angry 19 year old just starting to discover the real world. I will be finding a physical copy of this book to add to my shelves, because I will probably add this to my rotation of annual reads.
Good beginning, good ending. Not much for the middle. Pratchett's sense of humor has always rubbed me the wrong way.
From one bad Alternate History book (House of Storms) to a really good one. It took me the longest of time to pick up 'Nation', because I generally don't like shipwreck tales, but I'm very glad I did. It's a fast read and well crafted and funny. It's not the Discworld, however, and what Pratchett's been going through shows up in his writing. It's a fair bit darker and more adult than the Discworld books (which can, on occasion, be quite dark and adult in their own way), but ultimately it's about thinking, and science and belief, and death (and life, because you can't have one without the other). There's a bunch of disclaimers in the authors notes at the end, the last one of which reads:
Thinking
This book contains some. Whether you try it at home is up to you.
Thinking
This book contains some. Whether you try it at home is up to you.
This may be one of the better books I've read. I picked it up at the library as the only Terry Pratchett book sitting on the shelf and I was NOT expecting the jewel I unwrapped. It is a children's novel but if you are an adult, I would definitely recommend you read this book too. The immersive story is the classic boy and a girl stranded on an island but takes off in an entirely unexpected way. It makes you think but is carried along by Pratchett's characteristic humor.
I have to start this by saying that this isn't your typical Terry Pratchett novel. If you're looking for Discworld, you're looking in the wrong book.
With that being said, this is one of the most enjoyable Young Adult books I've read in a long time. Terry Pratchett has a way of writing Young Adult novels that aren't condescending, with an interesting and thought provoking story line and three dimensional characters. Nation is a perfect example of this.
In Nation, we're introduced to two main characters, a male and female, both with flaws, and both trying to figure out who they are and where they belong. It's a coming of age story, but also deals with colonialism, belief systems, prejudice, bias, and even cannibals, pirates, and grandfathers. The characters learn that there is so much more to themselves and the world around them than they were raised to believe, and challenge the systems around them that try to tell them otherwise.
I would definitely recommend Nation to readers both young and old. I think it has something for everyone in it and something that everyone can take away from it.
I know that I couldn't put it down and was sad when I got to the last page.
With that being said, this is one of the most enjoyable Young Adult books I've read in a long time. Terry Pratchett has a way of writing Young Adult novels that aren't condescending, with an interesting and thought provoking story line and three dimensional characters. Nation is a perfect example of this.
In Nation, we're introduced to two main characters, a male and female, both with flaws, and both trying to figure out who they are and where they belong. It's a coming of age story, but also deals with colonialism, belief systems, prejudice, bias, and even cannibals, pirates, and grandfathers. The characters learn that there is so much more to themselves and the world around them than they were raised to believe, and challenge the systems around them that try to tell them otherwise.
I would definitely recommend Nation to readers both young and old. I think it has something for everyone in it and something that everyone can take away from it.
I know that I couldn't put it down and was sad when I got to the last page.
A delightful tale of new beginnings, coming of age, science and religion. As usual, lovely flashes of humour.
Having just completed his Nation's traditional transition from boyhood to manhood, Mau returns home to an island of death. A large wave has destroyed his village and killed everyone he knows. It has also washed ashore a European ship where the only passenger is Daphne, soon to be known as the Ghost Girl. As they struggle through language barriers, they are joined by other survivors. Together, they must protect their small community from death and raiders, while also challenging their understanding of religion and history.
This has to be the best book I've read/listened to in ages! I love the philosophical discussions hidden in compelling narrative and engaging characters. I'm afraid to say too much for fear of spoiling; the story is still so fresh in my memory that I can't write a full review without sharing too much. I can say that I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to read more from Pratchett.
This has to be the best book I've read/listened to in ages! I love the philosophical discussions hidden in compelling narrative and engaging characters. I'm afraid to say too much for fear of spoiling; the story is still so fresh in my memory that I can't write a full review without sharing too much. I can say that I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to read more from Pratchett.