Hogfather by Terry Pratchett Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Hogfather
Book Review: An amazing book
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a huge fan and I found the Hogfather the best one yet. Death was funny and Susan was good. This book is the best.Book Review: Another great Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett
Summary: 5 Stars
This novel focuses on belief in general, and the difference between myth and reality in specific. Death is a major player of course, but his grown-up daughter is the hero.Book Review: Black but bewitching (sounds like a drug...)
Summary: 4 Stars
Possibly the darkest Pratchett novel, with Teatime being, as some sensible person a few reviews down wrote, truly repulsive. But even though parts of the book are black as black can be, others still crack me up, like the scenes with the wizards, or Death's 'jolly' laugh. But I don't rate it as high as some others because although it's a brilliant book, it can be a bit too unsettling. I mean, with the rain lashing against the window, the thunder rolling, the lights flickering etc etc...I think I'd rather stick with the guards than read Hogfather. But the book is still great, well-written and thought-provoking - don't let my cowardice put you off it!Book Review: COWER BRIEF MORTALS - HO HO HO
Summary: 5 Stars
So what happens when the Hogfather dissapears from the Discworld? Terry Pratchett answers this in this great book that will really make you think about what you belive in.
Visit with your favorite Discworld characters during Hogswatch - and see the reaction when Death (as the Hogfather) visits a department store. Find out how Susan deals with monsters (not the POKER!) and just what to give Hex for christmas.
Hogfather is very fast-paced and takes all the cliches of christmas and puts a spin on them as Death looks at them from his own special point of view.
Terry Pratchett is not only a very funny writer, he also has the knack of making you think - when you don't even realise you are doing it. This book contains very subtle insights - that you will find yourself realising only later how important and profound they actually are. He also pokes a sly dig at the X-Files (if you read carefully and don't miss any footnotes, you will find it).
For those lovers of Hex - the Discworld's only computer - you will be pleased to find he has a large role in this - and we watch as Ridcully and Death become computer literate: in their own individual ways.
I loved this book - and I know that you will as well. It's a great read not just for lovers of Terry Pratchett, but for those who want to re-discover the real meaning of christmas.
Book Review: COWER BRIEF MORTALS. HO HO HO.
Summary: 5 Stars
"Hogfather" is the twentieth book in Terry Pratchett's hugely popular Discworld series and was first published in 1996. He has gone on to win the Carnegie Medal for "The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents" and was awarded the OBE in 1998.
"Hogfather" is sometimes known as the third book in "The Death Trilogy". Like the trilogy's first two instalments ("Mort" and "Reaper Man") it gives Death - tall guy, somewhat underfed, carries a scythe, big grin - more than just a brief cameo. Like "Reaper Man", it's the Auditors who are causing problems. The Auditors are in charge of the universe : they see that atoms spin, that gravity works and that things move in curves. However, they hate life - especially humans (too many irregularities). In "Reaper Man", they wanted to force Death into retirement. This time, they want the Hogfather - Discworld's version of Father Christmas - `removed' from office (or grotto, perhaps). To this end, they've hired the disturbed (and disturbing) Mister Teatime from the Guild of Assassins to make sure he stays `removed'. Luckily, Death has discovered what's going on : with Hogswatch Night looming, the Grim Reaper dons a false beard, strategically places a cushion and takes control of the sleigh.
Death shares the spotlight, though : his new duties cause some problems for his grand-daughter, Susan Sto-Helit. Susan is working as a governess in Ankh-Morpork and, as part of her job, she regularly beats up the bogeyman with her trusty poker. In her free time, she occasionally drops into Biers for a drink ("Sometimes you want to go...where nobody knows your name"). It's in the pub that She's warned about her grandfather's strange behaviour by the Death of Rats and his eyeball-obsessed sidekick, Quoth the Raven. Initially, she isn't at all pleased to see the pair, but she has no choice but to get involved. The last time Death neglected his Duty, Susan was expected to take over...
Despite his profession, Death is one of the funniest characters the Discworld has to offer, and Hogfather sees Pratchett on top form. Quoth and Death of Rats are a welcome addition - they're a great double act. It may be a slight advantage to have read at least one from "Mort", "Reaper Man" or "Soul Music" before this (all are very funny) - however, even if you haven't you'll still find "Hogfather" hilarious. Highly recommended.