How do you keep reading the book...

[usable001]

For those reading Terry Pratchett for the first time, I strongly recommend the short story Troll Bridge, but only if you promise to read it all the way through (which is why I recommended a short story).

If you read the silliness at the beginning and stop, you'll have the impression that his writing is all silliness, like Monty Python. You'll miss the point when the silly situation takes a left turn and gets deep. Troll Bridge is a microcosm of Terry Pratchett's longer works.

 

[sirhugs]

For those reading Terry Pratchett for the first time, I strongly recommend the short story Troll Bridge, but only if you promise to read it all the way through (which is why I recommended a short story).

If you read the silliness at the beginning and stop, you'll have the impression that his writing is all silliness, like Monty Python. You'll miss the point when the silly situation takes a left turn and gets deep. Troll Bridge is a microcosm of Terry Pratchett's longer works.

IMHO, Monty Python is MUCH more than "all silliness". They were among the greatest social and poliical philosphers of our time, making their observations widey accessible, packaged in a way that subtly snuck up on viewers, while provoking thoughtfulness and conversation on important issues, like the absurdity of governments .

And, as a one time history major, I applaud all the goofy goodness that The Holy Grail did by poking fun at history, while promoting interest in history.

Calling them "all silliness" is like calling George Carlin "just a stand-up comedian".

Viva los revolucionarios!

 

[JuicyLittleKitty]

Short answer: I don't.

Long answer:

I still remember picking a book years ago, and finding there was an entire chapter early on that consisted of the Evil Bad Guy sitting alone in a room. He spends something like 20 printed pages just thinking about his Incredibly Subtle Evil Plans, so the reader knows the situation.

It was some of the clumsiest writing I've seen in an actual published book. Not just the almost bizarrely-labored exposition, but the fact that all surprises for the hero were eliminated, by the author, on page 50 or so.

I put it down and never picked it up again.

Excuse me, but that is quite hilarious. xxx

 

[Kelliezgirl]

IMHO, Monty Python is MUCH more than "all silliness". They were among the greatest social and poliical philosphers of our time, making their observations widey accessible, packaged in a way that subtly snuck up on viewers, while provoking thoughtfulness and conversation on important issues, like the absurdity of governments .

And, as a one time history major, I applaud all the goofy goodness that The Holy Grail did by poking fun at history, while promoting interest in history.

Calling them "all silliness" is like calling George Carlin "just a stand-up comedian".

Viva los revolucionarios!

Python, and Pratchett are creators who can be experienced on different levels. Which is an obtuse way of saying you are both right.
You can appreciate the silliness and blow right past the depth, or you can plumb the depths and ignore the silliness.
Ideally you do both, but it isn't necessary to enjoy/appreciate them.

 

[SimonDoom]

I've read two of the O'Brien/Aubrey books so far and enjoyed them a lot. The nautical terminology can be a bit daunting, but the first book has a section that smartly goes through a lot of it, and is useful if you pay attention. I have two more of his books sitting on my shelf, waiting to be read.

I'm in the midst of finally reading William Gibson's Neuromancer, and so far it hasn't done much for me. The writing style is jacked-up cyberpunk/detective noir but I don't find the story or the characters that gripping.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I've read two of the O'Brien/Aubrey books so far and enjoyed them a lot. The nautical terminology can be a bit daunting, but the first book has a section that smartly goes through a lot of it, and is useful if you pay attention. I have two more of his books sitting on my shelf, waiting to be read.

I'm in the midst of finally reading William Gibson's Neuromancer, and so far it hasn't done much for me. The writing style is jacked-up cyberpunk/detective noir but I don't find the story or the characters that gripping.

Neuromancer suffers from being the first of its kind - cyberpunk has been done better since IMO, but its existence was necessary.

See also epic fantasy and LoTR...

 

[sirhugs]

I'm a huge William Gibson fan, which is odd because his niche is pretty far outside my usual wheelhouse, but I think I've read everthing he's written. I just enough the word play I think.

 

[Britva415]

The writing style is jacked-up cyberpunk/detective noir

You're talking about the very novel that jacked that style up in the first place

People (maybe not you, but "people") in 2026 call shit that isn't even noir at all "cyberpunk" anymore. It's a travesty!

 

[SimonDoom]

You're talking about the very novel that jacked that style up in the first place

People (maybe not you, but "people") in 2026 call shit that isn't even noir at all "cyberpunk" anymore. It's a travesty!

I don't read much of that type of science fiction, although I've read lots of classic noir detective fiction, so I can see those elements in the story. My feeling about the book so far is it's stronger on attitude than substance, and it leaves me feeling a bit meh about it. But I'm not done with it. I'll give it a fair shake.

 

[Britva415]

My feeling about the book so far is it's stronger on attitude than substance

You found it. "Style over substance" is a pretty strong element of, not only the cyberpunk aesthetic, but in fact the cyberpunk message itself.

It's a prediction, a warning, about cultural values, far more than about technology. And look how much of it has come true since 1984, the year Neuromancer came out. I'd go so far as to say that it's a show-not-tell, regarding what its own substance is. Or, I wouldn't argue too hard with someone who insisted "no, it just isn't substantial." I'd lift a finger, but I wouldn't try to win.

I'm not saying you should appreciate that and like the book for it. Just saying, it's there for a reason, and, in my opinion, if that and noir are absent from a particular piece of work, it isn't cyberpunk at all, it's just futuristic science fiction with dystopian snark.