Going Postal by Terry Pratchett Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $3.74 You Save: $4.25 (53%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.82 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Going Postal
Book Review: This one shines brightly
Summary: 5 Stars
Here's a perfect example of why it is difficult to find consistent criteria for rating a book. This is a less than perfect book. It's not among the finest books I've ever read. There's nothing earth shattering about a humorous and satirical exercise dressed up as a fantasy tale. I've rated other books very highly that were on an entirely different literary plane. And yet... I enjoyed this book so much that I have to give it high marks simply on that basis. And I don't intend to demean it with these comments. The enjoyment factor was a direct result of an expertly woven story, with so much fun and brightness on each page that it was easy to miss the very real deeper moments and themes thrown in. My first exposure to Pratchett was a resounding success.
Basically, we meet Moist von Lipwig as he is about to be hanged. The bright and humorous atmosphere is unexpectedly built during that opening scene. Moist is surprised when he survives to get another chance at life. The ruler of Ankh-Morpork gives him a choice. Death, or life as a new postmaster for the long defunct Post Office. Moist accepts the position. He meets his aging and odd staff, who still inhabit the decaying postal building. They exist by following daily postal routines, as outlined in regulations. Except mail hasn't actually been delivered for decades. Moist's conning and criminal mind immediately sees endless opportunity with his gullible staff. But he soon discovers that his staff actually like him, to his amazement. And they believe in him and all his lies he tells them about how they will be successful again some day. And confusingly, Moist begins to start believing his own lies.
It's all a lot of fun, and more. Moist's character is surprisingly complex. His staff are odd and lovable, one and all. And a nice story is built around the battle that Moist and the Post Office must wage against the other con artist in town, who runs the competition. It is a technological communications system that seems superior and more efficient. But it has a weakness. The manager is someone who Moist knows all too well - another con man. Moist believes the world is a show, and that it's all about who is the best showman. By the end, Moist and the reader see it a little more clearly. Maybe it is a show. But there may be some strange and powerful forces at work behind the scenes, gently guiding the actors by using their own tendencies against them. Or for them. Or maybe not. The fun is what is apparent throughout the book. A hint of some deeper themes creeps in, if you're not careful. And probably even if you are. Here is a thoroughly enjoyable book, too full of bright surprises to hold in any but the highest regard.
Book Review: Typical terrifically funny Pratchett Discworld novel
Summary: 5 Stars
A typically funny Terry Pratchett novel satirizing the Postal Service. The Patrician of Ank-Morpork figures the only way to reform/modernize the postal service is by putting a devout thief/con-man in charge. Great fun.Book Review: Watch Out Yahoo!
Summary: 4 Stars
Although only my second foray into Mr. Pratchett's Disc World series, GOING POSTAL has enough wit, interest, and modern day parables to make it a read worth anyone's while.
My first introduction was with Thud! A tremendous achievement, THUD! had enough quirks in terms of setting and characters to make it a thoroughly enjoyable read (I gave it 5 stars). And although Going Postal can claim its own level of quirkiness, it doesn't quite measure up to my first experience.
Equal parts comedy, fantasy, and crime-drama, Going Postal takes its lead from our current day use of email over the post office. But in the city of Ankh-Morpork, this is taken to an entirely new level. When Moist von Lipwig (don't ask) is given the option of death versus government service as the new postmaster, he has to think about it; that's how bad it might be. But enjoying a heartbeat and being able to breath, Moist accepts the new job only to find out that he has to compete with the Yahoo/Google masters of electronic communications known as the "clacks" which is a series of digital/semaphore towers run by the corrupt Grand Trunk Company.
But trying to get the post office sorted out is a job in itself. The use of old mailmen, stolen equipment, wizards, and a seemingly magical golden suit all hold sway within the postal walls. Oh, and so do tons and tons ...and tons of undelivered mail. So much mail, in fact, that it can talk. Words have power and unless they are delivered to the appropriate address, they may very well drive you mad.
Moist, having been a criminal himself, uses his skills to further the post office. And finding that he actually likes helping people comes as a shock! His first delivered letter helps bring two old lovers together and launches him on a path of destroying the man he once was.
Fires, Golems, vampires, and geeks all aid or damage Moist's hopes for a future postal service that city-dwellers can depend on. And love between Moist and a tough reporter might also blossom, given enough time.
This isn't your standard fiction fodder for those not-in-the-Pratchett-know. But it is fun reading. Light enough to lift spirits, but dense enough to keep your interest and make you think, Going Postal might have you licking stamps instead of clicking send the next time you communicate with friends or family.
Book Review: Welcome to Government Service
Summary: 4 Stars
Terry Pratchett's first novel, "The Carpet People", appeared in 1971. "Going Postal" is the twenty-ninth novel in Terry Pratchett's hugely popular Discworld series and was first published in 2004. He won the 2001 Carnegie Medal for "The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents" and was awarded the OBE in 1998.
Moist von Lipwig, a very gifted con-artist, is in trouble as "Going Postal" opens - he's on his way to the gallows for a crime he didn't commit. (Unfortunately, he's on his way to the gallows for a crime Albert Spangler - one of his aliases - committed). Luckily, his hangman (Daniel "One Drop" Trooper) proves is be something of an expert at his job; Moist is only hung to within an inch of his life and comes round in Lord Vetinari's office. Vetinari is Ankh-Morpork's Patrician, described by some as a tyrant while others simply question his parentage. He is also incredibly resourceful, fantastically well-informed and a graduate of the Guild of Assassins. He knows Moist's real name, his profession and has identified Moist as a fraudster by vocation, a habitual liar and totally untrustworthy. As such, Vetinari has realised that Moist is ideally suited for a job in government and offers him the position of Postmaster General. Moist could turn the job down; the decision would only cost him his life. However, largely because he doesn't fully realise what he's letting himself in for, he accepts the job offer...
Although Moist would rather disappear under another false name, Vetinari has wisely appointed a parole officer to him - a very determined golem called Mr Pump. Neither Moist nor Mr Pump are going to have an easy time in their new positions : for a start, the Post Office itself is a mess. There hasn't been a letter delivered in twenty years - all of them are still in the building, leaving very little room for people and golems inside. Moist only has two members of staff - a geriatric Junior Postman called Groat and Apprentice Postman Stanley (a little odd, though an expert on pins). Mr Pump indirectly leads Moist to Adora Bell Dearheart, a tall dark-haired woman who works for the Golem's Trust. She dresses severely, smokes and, by her own admission, is utterly lacking in a sense of humour. (In fact, she sounds a bit like Frasier Crane's ex-wife). For some reason, however, Moist falls for her and she becomes the closest thing to a friend he has.
Moist's biggest problem is going to be the Grand Trunk Semaphore Company and its new Board of Directors. The Grand Trunk provide a high-speed communication service, better known as the clacks - something like the Discworld's version of email. It's pretty clear the new board have cheated, embezzled and stolen their way to the company, are mistreating the workforce and are generally running things into the ground. Although represented by Mr Slant (not only a zombie, but also a lawyer), the most dislikeable and dangerous member of the board is Reacher Gilt. Like Moist, he's obviously a very gifted con-artist. However, it's his willingness to use buzzwords that really send shivers down the spine. (Anyone who has been at a meeting and heard phrases like "core competencies", "synergistically" and "striving for excellence" will know exactly what I mean).
This is the first of the Discworld series to feature Moist, with only very brief appearances from some `established' stars. As a result, it's a pretty good starting point if you've never read any of the other Discworld books and want to see what you're missing. Pratchett's books are always very funny - this one takes a particular swipe at big business. Definitely recommended.
Book Review: even better than the usual Terry book
Summary: 5 Stars
wow, I am a fan of the dsicworld novels but thought this one really stood out.
If you work in industry particularly in America then this us a great read. I am stunned by it's truth :-)