Thud! by Terry Pratchett
Thud! is a perfect example of why critics have such a hard time dealing with Terry Pratchett. His books are labelled “fantasy”, and they take place in an imaginary world, and that category is supposed to be fluffy escapism. Especially when you add the term “humourous”. But he defies all that by making books that are funny but also proper literature that makes you think.
Thud! is about a murdered dwarf that a council of deep underground dwarfs has tried to cover up. But Watch Commander Vimes is not going to let them ignore a murder under his jurisdiction.
At the same time a painting of the famous dwarf vs. troll Battle of Koom Valley has been stolen from the art museum right before Koom Valley Day, when the dwarfs and trolls are building up to re-enact the battle in the streets of Ankh-Morpork.
This book is entertaining, infinitely re-readable and says a lot about racism and war. One of my favorite lines is near the end of the book:
“‘I need no axe to be a dwarf,’ said Bashfullson. ‘Nor do I need to hate trolls. What kind of creature defines itself by hatred?’”
Indeed.
blog comments powered by Disqus