Pratchett, Terry - Hogfather

[oyceter]

Someone tries to get rid of the beloved Hogfather, and it's up to Death to take his place! And while he's doing that (much to the disgruntlement of the faithful but snarky Albert), Susan attempts to figure out exactly what's going on and why previously non-existant deities and myths keep popping up, like the oh god of hangovers.

Everyone was right! This is my favorite Death book so far, not in the least because all the subplots worked together, the main threat was genuinely creepy, and ... it was good.

I wasn't actually that scared of Mr. Teatime, largely because I was reading The Truth at the same time and all the amoral assassin figures were running together for me. On the other hand, that world Susan ends up finding herself in? THAT was creepy.

I loved Death and Albert's conversations about how things should be, particularly Death's insistence that people would have a good Hogswatch and he would damn well make sure of that. I also liked Susan a lot more than in Soul Music, largely because I got a much better sense of her personality in this book.

I feel I should have more comments, except I keep saying the same things about Pratchett's books.

ETA: Oh! I forgot! One of my favorite parts was Susan berating her charges for attempting to be twee via lisping and cute looks. And the poker. And "I was fairly confident."

Comments

[chomiji]

And Death of Rats, yes? And the Raven with the eyeball fixation? And Death giving the little girl a real sword? And Death with the Auditors: "HAVE YOU BEEN NAUGHTY - OR NICE? ... HO HO HO." (It's bizarre how satisfying I find that last scene ... .)

[oyceter]

I am always happy to see the Death of Rats!

I love Death's random HO HO HOs and how they worry Albert.

[oracne.livejournal.com]

I like this one a lot, too.

[oyceter]

It was really fun! And I very much liked the theme as well.

[kate_nepveu]

Favorite Susan line ever: "Hi! I'm the Inner Babysitter!"

I think the plot maybe going on one twist too long, but I like it very much all the same.

[oyceter]

I love Susan very much now. Especially when she is wielding a poker.

[coraa.livejournal.com]

Favorite Susan line ever: "Hi! I'm the Inner Babysitter!"

I was just about to post to say the same thing. This was the book in which I fell in love with Susan.

[oyceter]

She is indeed awesome!

[vito-excalibur.livejournal.com]

Yes, this was the book where I fell madly in love with Susan.

[oyceter]

I can see why! I love the contrast of her clothes and her matter-of-fact attitude, and how of course she sees the monsters under the bed and etc. and how that equips her especially to deal with the plot.

[telophase.livejournal.com]

rachelmanija is in possession of two DVDs that contain parts I and II of the BBC production of Hogfather. About 3 hours total running time.

Just to let you know so you can start badgering her to bring them, since I think you said something over on yhlee's LJ about seeing her soon. :)

[oyceter]

I am going down to LA, so hopefully she will have them there!

[telophase.livejournal.com]

She's been traveling so much lately, I assumed it was her coming up to you. XD Unless she shipped them back from Kyoto, she should have them. And she might even have them anyway in that case - I got my Kyoto box today, so hers is probably waiting for her. :D

[oyceter]

Eeee my Gaiden 3 is in her box!

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

Oh, I got my Kyoto box! So I have my kimono and Oyce's Gaiden 3, which I will nag her to translate for me.

I actually had Hogfather all along, but haven't watched it yet.

[oyceter]

Yaaaaay Gaiden!

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

I think my favorite bit is when Death gives a member of the watch a crossbow.

[oyceter]

Oh yeah! That was really cool.

[telophase.livejournal.com]

I think my major problem with the BBC's depiction of Nobby Nobbs in the filmed version is that he's way too human. XD

[chomiji]

But ya know, I don't think television (even U.K. television) is ready for the real Nobby!

[telophase.livejournal.com]

True! XD

[octopedingenue]

I love this book so much! I read it every Christmas with eggnog and pie and Nightmare Before Christmas.

I love Susan and Death's awkward familialness and the sporking of Good King Wensecelas and Susan's poker. And the first time around I totally did not see the teeth twist coming!

[oyceter]

Ohhhhhh! So Death making the king not give stuff to the beggar, that was a take on Good King Wensecelas!

I didn't see the teeth twist coming either, and that was nicely creepy.

[octopedingenue]

Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine-logs hither
Thou and I shall see him dine
When we bring them thither!

I still like the song (it has warm The Dark Is Rising associations for me), but yeah, Pratchett's right, what's the guy going to eat the rest of the year? Good King Slacktivist!

Totally nicely creepy, and a hit-myself-in-the-brain moment. "Teeth voodoo!! Why didn't I (or the rest of literature) think of that before?!"

[oyceter]

Yes, I always think of The Dark Is Rising when I hear it!

I loved the teeth voodoo. Though now it freaks me out a little.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Yay! I love Hogfather, so I am glad you liked it as well. I always quote Death's line about how people need stories to be human if I'm arguing with someone about the importance of fiction/novels/fanfiction/something similar.

[oyceter]

I am going to try and make rachelmanija show me the tv production later!

I love the thing about the sun vs. the flaming ball of gas.

[fresne.livejournal.com]

I'll chime in and go squee! Because I love the Susan's wielding of pokerish nonchalance, and HO HO HO. And of all the various philosophical of the later Pratchett books, the conversation on the nature of the sun is the one that pings me.

[chomiji]

>> the conversation on the nature of the sun is the one that pings me <<:

Yes!!! Pratchett is so wise, and so good at making his characters let us in on the secrets ... .

[oyceter]

Yeeees! I had forgotten about that conversation, but it is the awesome.

[jinian.livejournal.com]

You know, I'm going to go read this again. Right now.

[oyceter]

^__^

Btw, does Pratchett have pet rats or something? It seems like he is very kindly disposed towards rats, but I can't tell if it's him randomly deciding to have a Death of Rats and going with it or because he just likes rats. Not that I am complaining! I highly enjoy the rattery!