Making Money (Discworld) by Terry Pratchett Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Making Money (Discworld)
Book Review: Another entertaining addition to the Discworld series
Summary: 4 Stars
Terry Pratchett and his Discworld series need no introduction. Indeed, given the fact that the series has sold over 45 million copies worldwide, Pratchett's latest requires very little in the way of hype. By now, when one purchases a Disworld novel, one should know what to expect. And though making people laugh is not an easy gig, the author, somehow, always rises up to the challenge and delivers a book that lives up to the high expectations which are inherent to any Pratchett new release.
Following up on Going Postal, Terry Pratchett lets Moist Von Lipwig, he of the golden suit and new Postmaster General, the man notorious for introducing the commemorative cabbage stamp with the cabbage-flavored glue, once again shine in the spotlight. Naturally, familiar faces from various Discworld novels make appearances throughout Making Money.
When Lord Vetinari informs the Postmaster General that he plans to put him in charge of the Royal Mint, Lipwig is acutely aware that this is a man he can't say no to, and thus his life becomes more complicated. As if this predicament wasn't enough, to his dismay he suddenly finds himself running the bank next door. He soon realizes that the mint runs at a loss. He also discovers that a panoply of people want him dead. And, to add to his woes, he must take the Chairman of the bank, a dog named Mr Fusspot, for walks. But Moist Von Lipwig is always up for a challenge, even though he is about to be exposed as a fraud.
Witty humor permeates the narrative and the dialogues, of course. Which is not surprising, for this aspect has become Pratchett's trademark. Like a majority of the Discworld novels, Making Money is, in light of the current market, "light" fantasy fare. Still, after plowing through Thiong'o's Wizard of the Crow and then reading the first half of Donaldson's Fatal Revenant, I found Pratchett's latest to be oh so satisfying! You will find yourself smirking and chuckling in every single chapter, and there is not a boring moment in this one.
Watching Moist Von Lipwig trying to dig himself out of this hole makes for an enjoyable reading experience. In addition, it was interesting to witness Pratchett's introduction of the paper denominations instead of gold, as well as the parallel between the repercussions this causes on Ankh-Morpork's national economy and our own, if only from an historical standpoint. Though the Discworld installments can at times feel a little absurd, there is an underlying intelligence which pervades every page. This, in my humble opinion, is nothing short of brilliant.
The timing for Making Money's release is perfect. Summer is all but over, and everyone is back in school or at work. Hence, we could all use a few laughs, something that Making Money provides in industrial quantity.
This book should please Terry Pratchett's legions of fans and anyone looking for a light fantasy offering. As is the case with most Discworld books, you can enjoy this one even if you're not familiar with the entire saga.
Making Money appears to contain all the necessary ingredients to make it yet another memorable Discworld novel! It will be released in just a few days, so keep an eye out for that book.
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Book Review: I Don't Know How He Does It
Summary: 5 Stars
Terry Pratchett was born in 1948 and is one of the most popular authors writing today. He lives behind a keyboard in Wiltshire and says he 'doesn't want to get a life, because it feels as though he's trying to lead three already'. He was appointed OBE in 1998. He is the author of the phenomenally successful Discworld series
There is just no other author about who writes like Terry Pratchett. His humour is second to none. There are one or two writers who are trying to get close to him, but failing miserably. Making money is the latest book in the Discworld series, taking us once again to the streets of Ankh-Morpork. Streets frequented by Werewolves, Zombies, Vampires, Trolls and of course to keep everyone in line patrolled by the men of the Watch, under the scrutiny of their leader Vimes.
Everyone, with any sense would love to be able to make money and to be in charge of the Ankh-Morpork's Royal Mint is a dream come true. This is the theme for the latest Discworld novel and everything is in place for it to be a winner. Regular Pratchett reader's will be beating the door down to buy this book and for those (there must be somebody) who have not read any Discworld books. Treat yourself, you won't regret it.
Book Review: Money for nothing and your clacks for free
Summary: 5 Stars
It seems, after reading Terry Pratchett's latest Discworld novel "Making Money", that money does make the world go `round, even if that world is flat and balanced on the backs of four elephants standing on the back of a giant turtle.
In "Making Money", Terry Pratchett and his `hero' Moist von Lipwig do for and to the monetary system exactly what they did for and to the postal service in "Going Postal". The result is the same - a slapstick romp through the strange and wonderful world of Discworld.
It is impossible to detail the plot of this book without giving away spoilers so I think it best just to say that Lord Vetinari has determined that Ankh-Morpork's monetary system is in dire straits and in need of improvement. Vetinari picks, in his inimitable way, Moist von Lipwig to lead the way. The result is - well just about what you'd expect.
"Making Money" features a cast of mostly new characters. As to established characters, Vetinari is featured and he is as delightfully Machiavellian as ever. There are cameo appearances by DEATH, the Watch, and CMOT Dibbler. However, new or newer characters play the largest roles. Moist's second appearance is terrific. Pratchett does a very nice job turning him into what I hope is a recurring role. Moist's girlfriend the chain-smoking Adore Belle Dearheart makes her presence felt, especially when she puts her foot down. Mr. Bent, the oh-so serious bank manager plays straight man to Moist's light-hearted con-man character. Bent is tied to the old ways - where money must be based on gold and nothing but gold. He is serious, has never been known to laugh, and has a head for numbers that is astonishing. In some (admittedly very superficial) respects you could argue that Bent is to Moist what Gordon was to Tony.
Moist's antagonists are the Lavish family, particularly Cosmo Lavish and his rather large sister Pucci (of whom Pratchett says in a great line, "she had no idea how to handle people and she tried to make self-esteem do the work of self-respect, but the girl could flounce better than a fat turkey on a trampoline".) They make good foils for Moist and Vetinari.
As always the plot has many twists and turns and one-liners fly almost as fast as the slings and arrows of the Assassins' Guild. Pratchett has a great way with humour and manages to combine that humour with a good deal of insight into how `things' work in the real world. His look at the monetary system in "Making Money" can now stand with Pratchett's look at rock music, religion, the post office, and movies as some very funny looks at our world through the prism of Discworld.
"Making Money" was a fun book for me to read. It was typical Pratchett (high praise) and I think most Pratchett fans will enjoy it. I certainly did. L. Fleisig
Book Review: A very good novel
Summary: 5 Stars
Without giving the plot away, this book is another fine Pratchett work focused on the 'stupidity' of the real world when seen through the eyes of the characters in a post modern sword and sorcery novel.
Very topical given events of August and September 2007.
Book Review: Rather a Disappointment (sorry!)
Summary: 3 Stars
As a HUGE Terry Pratchett fan, I pre-booked 'Making Money' and set aside time to read it as soon as it arrived. I'm not in line with the other reviewers here as I think, compared with the others in the series, this is a disappointment. I got the impression that he'd written it in his sleep ... where were the wonderful intermeshed plots you see in so many of the other books? The same old characters were rehashed but in such a watered down fashion that they were mere shadows of their former selves from other books. It feels more like an attempt at a tribute novel than an original by the master storyteller.
If this is to be your first Disc World novel, then pause, rewind and choose almost any one of the others first, otherwise you just might never read another. If you are a hardcore fan, at least this book allows you back into Ankh Morpork for a short while - but that's the best that can be said about it. I hope Terry gets back on track with the next one. Oh, I hope so ....