Going Postal [Hardcover]

 

 

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The book starts with classic Pratchett humour, the laughs coming fast and hard with the idiosyncracies of Vetinari playing particularly well off the character of Moist. It's terribly funny, but for the first hundred or so pages it doesn't really get beyond that.

Then, it turns out, the book isn't about Moist at all, it's about the Railroad robber barons, it's about the vulture -- sorry, venture -- capitalists of Silicon Valley, and most particularly it's about the engineers who fuelled both eras. Pratchett must have some close friends who are engineers to capture the enthusiasm, dedication, mania, and gullibility of those fine folks so well. From the character of Pony to the Smoking Gnu, any geek will find a tremendous amount to relate to.

I would definitely rate this as Pratchett's best work of the past few years. Non-geeks may not find as much to relate to, of course, but even then it's still one of his top works to date.

Going Postal (followed by Making Money) will make you laugh out loud. Moist is a fantastically clever and sassy character who is still no match for Vetinari. The problem with Moist is that he can't help but raise the ante even if at the time he has no idea how he is going to pay it.
If you love Pratchett novels with a lot of Vetinari you'll love this one.

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.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Gets the stamp of approval
Lord Vetinari is not a crude man, and would never offer anything as crude as "the offer you can't refuse." You can always refuse. Read more

Published on Oct 8 2005 by wiredweird

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book in a while
I didn't really enjoy Night Watch; it was a little bit too dark for me. For some reason my sister loved it though.

This book on the other hand really captured me. Read more

Published on Feb 1 2005 by Steve Delong

5.0 out of 5 stars The ignoble hero accomplishes an impossible task
"Going Postal" presents a wonderful picture of a condemned criminal who, given a second chance at life, uses every (unsavoury) skill at his command to survive till he can escape... Read more

Published on Jan 16 2005 by Chara

5.0 out of 5 stars Holly Crap!!!
Wow, and I say it again, Wow. This book was absoulty fantastic. Terry pratchett is the master of wry humor. The way he puts together his stories is pure genius. Read more

Published on Nov 12 2004 by Phillip

5.0 out of 5 stars Going postal
definetly one of the best discworld bookes ever, with new characters to make it.. well new. 2 thumbs up

Published on Oct 18 2004 by Sam

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