Snuff

I saw Sir Terry Pratchett at the Royal Institute in London this year, promoting his new book "The Long Earth" alongside Stephen Baxter. It's the first time I've ever seen him live, and if I can, I will see him again. I've been reading his books for the last 10 years, and I think we a couple of exceptions (namely I Shall Wear Midnight and Eric), I have read all the books in the Discworld series, some of them several times over.

Snuff deals with the implications of classism and othering, in the guise of goblin slavery and tobacco smuggling. It follows Commander Vimes (and the Ankh-Morpork City Watch) as he goes to the countryside for a holiday -- a holiday naturally involving a case, a murder, lots of puns and goblins. It's almost like Pride and Prejudice meets Midsommer Murders. The charm, the humour, it's all there again, and I almost felt, at times, as if I were 15 again, romping about through Lancre with the witches.

The witch books remain my favourite by far. After the disappointment of Unseen Academicals earlier this year, I was worried that this wouldn't be the best watch book. But it's right up there with Thud!, though not as good as Night Watch. Someone suggested that new readers of Discworld should start off with this. No! Most certainly not! It has huge spoilers, and to be frank, I doubt anyone would know what the Koom Valley Accord was, or how it came about, or even why it's such a big deal. The book assumes the reader to be familiar with the characters, relationships and past events.

All in all, it's a real return to form for Sir Terry. I eagerly await his next Discworld book, Raising Taxes, and hope that there is another witch book in the works soon.