68: Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

Date Finished: 10/04/2012
My Rating: 4/5

Is this a match made in heaven? Terry Pratchett, author of the Discworld books that I obsessed over as a mid-late teen and still get completely absorbed in when I read them now, matched with Neil Gaiman, creator of the wonderful Sandman comics (sorry, I mean) graphic novels (I think), that I obsessed over as a late teen/ early 20s and still keep my copies in their dust jackets. Yes, yes, YES!

Actually, thinking about it, it is probably a match made in hell, but I was in heaven when I read this.

So, Good Omens. A story about what happens if there happens to be a comedy baby mix-up after the birth of the son of Satan, complete with angels from both sides, a hell hound, the four bikers of the apocalypse (and their hangers-on), a witch, and a witch-hunter. Oh, and some telesales people. With Gaiman and Pratchett in the saddle, the book is somewhat predictably laugh out loud funny, without it actually being predictable in any other sense. I say that with conviction, I have read and loved Good Omens at least 3 times now, and with each re-read I can't remember what happens. Maybe there is some magic in those pages that makes you forget what almost happened...

So, who should read this book? I hesitate to say geeks, but I am one, I should learn to embrace it, and therefore I'm saying geeks. But Pratchett/Gaiman fans should definitely read it, geek or not (I am assuming there are some non-geeky Pratchett/Gaiman fans around, although that in itself might be something of a dichotomy). Mind you, I would be very surprised if they haven't already. After all, it's been around for a while now. It's an easy book to read, so if you're looking for something entertaining but you have a tendency towards devil worship and a gothy view on life, give it a go too.

Next book: The Magus, John Fowles

69: Guards! Guards!, Terry Pratchett

Date Finished: 30/03/2012
My Rating: 4/5

I don't think that it is particularly surprising that out of the four Discworld novels on the Big Read's Top 100, two of them are about the Watch. Guards! Guards! introduces the reader to the misfits that form the Night Watch. It strongly hints that the new recruit to the Watch, dwarf-raised, rule-abiding, Carrot comes from some kind of heroic background. It shows (the wonderful) Vimes as something of an alcoholic who is rather fed up with the current state of the Night Watch, and certainly sets the scene for his character's development over the remaining Watch novels.

And what more could you want from a book... it has a big, scary, scaly dragon. Summoned by magic and then uncontrollable once it had tasted that little bit of freedom. I'm sure there's a 'careful what you wish for' type message in there somewhere.

Like most Discworld books, I found it a very easy read. All of a sudden you've got through 40 pages, laughed through at least 38 of them, and forgotten that physics works differently in the real world. Everything moves along rapidly, the characters are colourful and intelligently written. Oh, did I mention that it's funny? I must have read Guards! Guards! at least 5 times before I read it for this challenge. I won't be surprised if I read it another 5 times once I've finished the Big Read.

So, who should read this book? If you haven't read any Discworld novels, why not start here? I love the Watch books, and as this is the first one, it seems an obvious place for me to recommend that you start. It's a million to one chance, but you might just like it...

Next book: Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

70: Lord of the Flies, William Golding

Date Finished: 17/03/2012
My Rating: 4.5 5/5

I don't know what I was expecting from this book. I remember hearing people talking about it and had in my head that I wasn't going to like it. But, my word, could I not put it down! Golding's first novel tells the story of a group of (fairly posh I think) schoolboys who survive a plane crash on an island. At first they try to instil some kind of order and routine, with the two natural leaders taking on different roles. However, what happens next is the result of fear, lack of discipline and not just a little bit of something akin to primitive savagery.

Lord of the Flies is a truely excellent read, disturbing in just the right way to make it incredibly intriguing, the characters were well developed and the descriptions of the island, the darkness and the loneliness were exquisite. When the boys were having fun (admittedly only at the beginning of the book) I laughed with them, but later in the story Golding managed to convey an atmosphere that had me feeling nervous and a little bit unsettled and I definitely cried at the sad bits.

I was so surprised by this book, and in such a good way. I originally gave it 4.5/5, but I've just bumped it up to 5. I think my main criteria for giving full marks is for a book that I could settle down on the sofa with a cup of tea and the dog curled up behind my knees, only to look up several hours later to find a full mug of cold tea and the dog pawing at the door because he needs a wee. This was that book.

So, who should read this book? Well, anyone who likes an intriguing tale of adventure, mixed with a little bit of horror, plenty of emotion and wonderful description.

Next book: Guards! Guards!, Terry Pratchett