To the thousands of tiny nomes who live under the floorboards of a large department store, there is no Outside. Then a devastating piece of news shatters their existence: the Store — their whole world — is to be demolished.
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Truckers: The First Book of the Nomes
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From Publishers Weekly
British author Pratchett's first YA novel is a rollicking tale about a race of "nomes"--little people who came from outer space and now live under the floorboards of a department store. Since the store is about to be demolished, the nomes must be convinced to move out, even though most of them don't believe in such a thing as Outside. After all, the store has "Everything Under One Roof!" In a story reminiscent of Mary Norton's The Borrowers , Pratchett has added distinctive touches of his own to the hilarious complications that ensue. One of the novel's greatest strengths is the depiction of the civilization the nomes have built for themselves, including an intricate religion based on advertising signs. hung in the store. Truckers is funny enough to warrant sequels (at least one more tale is promised), but a clearer resolution would have made this a more satisfying read. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
"Certifiably funny ... Truckers is a gem" -- Lloyd Alexander, Author Of "The Black Cauldron" "Terry Pratchett treats absurd subjects with meticulous care, cutting no corners on plot or character, respecting his readers' intelligence while he tickles them into fits of laughter ... Witty, funny, wise and altogether delightful" Locus "The Bromeliad is both funny and exciting and definitely suitable for kids aged from nine to ninety" RTE Guide 20070602
--This text refers to an alternate
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edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By EdenRose
Format:Paperback
Spoiler Alert***
This book was quite enjoyable. I don't like aliens and so did not finish it but it was clever and well thought out.
This book was quite enjoyable. I don't like aliens and so did not finish it but it was clever and well thought out.
Format:Paperback
Terry Pratchett's Bromeliad trilogy is a mix of childlike fantasy and offbeat SF. While the opening book, "Truckers" lags in places and takes quite some time to really get moving, it's imaginative and very funny. Certainly it's a good place to start off with Pratchett's fiction.
Masklin and the other nomes are tiny people who scavenge on the streets, and now there are only a handful of them left. In an act of desperation, they climb into a lorry and ride to... The Store. Also known as Arnold Bros (est. 1905), where a complex civilization of nomes (about two thousand) live in semi-peace and prosperity. They either are dazzled by the idea of "Outside," or insist that the whole world is in Arnold Bros (est. 1905).
Seemingly, everything is fine for Masklin and his friends, especially when the mysterious Thing (a black box that is a spaceship's flight computer) comes to life and tells them more about their history. But suddenly their world is disrupted by the news of "All Things Must Go -- Final Sales." Now the nomes must escape the
Tiny people living in a department store? Ones from another planet? That is something that could have bombed so easily. But it doesn't, at least not in "Truckers." Clever plot elements like the sign-based religion (they take "everything under one roof" seriously!) and the department-based clans (Stationari? Corsetri?) keep this unlikely plot afloat.
While "Truckers" is a self-contained story in itself, it has plenty of loose threads (mostly involving the Thing and the origins of the nomes) at the end, for the second and third books of the trilogy. The writing has Pratchett's usual sparseness and wit; the only problem is that it takes forever for the nomes to do anything. At least it's a fun slow ride. The drive near the end is one of the best parts of the book.
Masklin and his nome band (especially the indefatigable, vaguely frightening Granny) serve as a good window into the nome civilization, since they're learning about it too. The better-off nomes are a bit snottier but eager to explore the Outside. But the Thing steals the show; despite being just a computer, it has a better idea than the nomes what is going on.
"Truckers" will delight fans of Pratchett, but you don't need to be a fan already to enjoy this story. While the plot takes awhile to go anywhere, the quirky characters and wonderful worldbuilding make it worthwhile.
Format:Paperback
These books (Truckers, Diggers, and Wings) are a fun romp! Well thought out, well told, with a liberal dose of humor. If you have read any of Terry Pratchett's "Disc World" books, you'll love this light hearted series....
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4.7 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Fabulous and Hillarious Adventure
Truckers is the first book of the Bromeliad trilogy (followed by Diggers and Wings).
Masklin and his family are the last ten nomes of their warren, devastated by cold, predators... Read more
Published on May 2 2001 by Stephanie Noverraz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Big problems for little people.
Another race also inhabits this Earth, a race four inches tall that lives and moves very quickly, and they are called "nomes. Read more
Published on Oct 13 2000 by Kurt A. Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars
readable and re-readable
This is the first book in a great fantasy adventure series for kids (and adults). Nomes live 10 times faster than humans, which is why no-one notices them, and they are getting... Read more
Published on Sep 20 2000 by Kathleen Cobcroft
5.0 out of 5 stars
Truckers is a real classic.
Terry Pratchett (Author of the Discworld series) is a really good author about Gnomes and other worlds, Truckers is the first story to Pratchett's Gnome trilogy. Read more
Published on Aug 8 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brill. book - read it if you can. The first in the trilogy.
'In the beginning was Arnold Bros. (est. 1904) and Arnold Bros. (est. 1904) created the store and everything in it. Read more
Published on Jun 13 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
Truckers is a Terry Pratchett true Science fiction classic.
In Terry Pratchett's Gnome Classic Epic. A family of wild Gnomes lead by the brave Maskerlin become new arrivals inside the floor boards of a old superstore, only Maskerlin's black... Read more
Published on Jun 8 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Swift of 20th century
Do read this book and the two following (Diggers Wings) if you want to learn a few things about humans, and human society. Read more
Published on May 20 1999 by Manfred Kraut
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great for Children and Adults!
I really joined reading this book, as a child and now as an adult. I love the imaginative perspective Terry Pratchett gives on the world from the nomes point of view. Read more
Published on May 17 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
Funniest book ever!!!!
Terry Pratchet has done very well with this one and I believe I shall read the other two from the trilogy of the adventurous nomes(Diggers and Wings). I find it hillarious. Read more
Published on April 23 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best books I've ever read.
It's equally thrilling and hilarious, and just as enjoyable the third time through. I'm rather disgruntled to find out that this book is out of print, and only two Amazon. Read more
Published on Feb 15 1999
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