The Hogfather by Terry Pratchett

354 pages (Fiction) Paperback

It didn't take me long to read another Pratchett book. He really is a fantastic writer and since it was almost Christmas I decided to give this book a read. This has actually been made into a two part miniseries on the BBC. I have seen the show and knew what was going on already, but there was enough additions to make the book interesting.

It is Hogswatch night, a night that is eerily similar to our Christmas Eve. The main difference is that instead of a jolly old elf sweeping the world delivering gifts; The Hogfather, a half man, half pig, pulled by a team of wild boars; distributes toys to those who believe. Only this night the Hogfather isn't showing up, someone else is. Death has noticed a lack of belief in the world and if the Hogfather doesn't deliver then there won't be enough belief in the world and that will have drastic consequences.

The tale follows Death as he attempts to fill the role of the Hogfather. It accompanies Susan, Death's granddaughter, as she attempts to find out what happened to the Hogfather. We look in on the Unseen University as the wizards there start to figure out that effects of belief are strangely out of whack. We also join an assassin and his band of ruffians who are attempting to make sure the Hogfather never delivers another present.

Pratchett delivers again. I enjoyed the book from beginning to end. In the show it is a bit confusing as to what actually happens at the end of the story, but in the book it seems to make more sense. It is lighthearted as all of Pratchett's books are and entertaining. Not only does he come up with interesting tales that poke fun at everyday happenings of our world, he ties it all together with interesting characters and a magical world. In addition to that he has a great way with language and uses that to add depth and humor to the book.

3 Intellectual/Emotional - Susan is becoming a favorite character as she has appeared in a few books. Death is a major player in this one and has always been a favorite. Even the bad guys are likable.

5 Style/Readability - Pratchett doesn't spoon feed a reader and allows you to figure out things for yourself. I never find it difficult to read, but find pleasure in the way he puts sentences together and uses the language to describe as well as amuse.

3 Long Term Impact - I don't understand why Pratchett isn't more renown. I have seen people glamorize his early book, The Color of Magic, but I honestly didn't think it was anywhere as good as his later stuff. Hogfather is one of his better books and deserves more recognition than it gets.

On Deck: The Fifth Elephant by Terry Pratchett (HA HA Another one!)

As always, Keep Turning Pages