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Pratchett, Terry - Men at Arms
Mon, Oct. 22nd, 2007 04:54 pmVimes is about to retire from the Guard, only before he can, he and Carrot have to solve a series of mysteries regarding a strange weapon that fires lead projectiles really, really fast. And we find out a wee bit more about that birthmark Carrot has...
I liked this, but I didn't like it quite as much as Guards! Guards. Part of this was because Vimes isn't in it very much; the book's most on Carrot. And I like Carrot, I do, but he verges a little too close to perfect in this book. Pratchett handwaves it a little by chalking it up to his heritage, but it means he can solve problems a little too quickly and a little too well. There wasn't this problem in GG because Carrot was a newbie. I sort of miss the newbie-ness; it gave him room to stumble.
Things I liked: The Carrot-Vetinari talk at the end. Dr. Whiteface (creepy!). Leonard of Quirm and Nanny Ogg. The mystery itself, which was nicely twisty and interesting. Cuddy and Detritus and the silicon brain (I geeked out at this). Angua as a general concept. Carrot as TCK.
Things I am ok about: Angua as she was executed... to me, she felt a little more like a collection of "cool woman" traits than an actual personality. Part of this may be because I am comparing her with other Pratchett women, who are bursting to the brim with personality. But I wanted some more -- I can't quite think of what she likes and dislikes right now, except that she was amused by Carrot's reading of the oath (as was I). I am guessing she'll get fleshed out more later though.
Things I didn't like: the racism/speciesism thing.
Now, before anyone comments defending Pratchett, let me say this. I think his portrayal of race and racism is wrong. That said, I think he's well-intentioned and somewhat clueless, but his cluelessness goes more toward institutional racism. And putting this in his book(s) means he's at least willing to think about it, which I appreciate. Also, I didn't throw this book against a wall. I know that sounds like I'm damning it with faint praise, but honestly, if I hadn't been giving Pratchett the benefit of the doubt, I would have thrown this book against a wall and probably left a frothing post here. (eta: fixed link)
So: I'm not actually offended or pissed off, I don't think Pratchett is a racist except in the sense that we are all products of institutional racism, and I still like and enjoy the Discworld books and this book. I just think he gets it wrong.
( More on this, minor spoilers )
I liked this, but I didn't like it quite as much as Guards! Guards. Part of this was because Vimes isn't in it very much; the book's most on Carrot. And I like Carrot, I do, but he verges a little too close to perfect in this book. Pratchett handwaves it a little by chalking it up to his heritage, but it means he can solve problems a little too quickly and a little too well. There wasn't this problem in GG because Carrot was a newbie. I sort of miss the newbie-ness; it gave him room to stumble.
Things I liked: The Carrot-Vetinari talk at the end. Dr. Whiteface (creepy!). Leonard of Quirm and Nanny Ogg. The mystery itself, which was nicely twisty and interesting. Cuddy and Detritus and the silicon brain (I geeked out at this). Angua as a general concept. Carrot as TCK.
Things I am ok about: Angua as she was executed... to me, she felt a little more like a collection of "cool woman" traits than an actual personality. Part of this may be because I am comparing her with other Pratchett women, who are bursting to the brim with personality. But I wanted some more -- I can't quite think of what she likes and dislikes right now, except that she was amused by Carrot's reading of the oath (as was I). I am guessing she'll get fleshed out more later though.
Things I didn't like: the racism/speciesism thing.
Now, before anyone comments defending Pratchett, let me say this. I think his portrayal of race and racism is wrong. That said, I think he's well-intentioned and somewhat clueless, but his cluelessness goes more toward institutional racism. And putting this in his book(s) means he's at least willing to think about it, which I appreciate. Also, I didn't throw this book against a wall. I know that sounds like I'm damning it with faint praise, but honestly, if I hadn't been giving Pratchett the benefit of the doubt, I would have thrown this book against a wall and probably left a frothing post here. (eta: fixed link)
So: I'm not actually offended or pissed off, I don't think Pratchett is a racist except in the sense that we are all products of institutional racism, and I still like and enjoy the Discworld books and this book. I just think he gets it wrong.
( More on this, minor spoilers )