I finished Small Gods some time ago, but I’m only getting to posting my thoughts on it now. As I noted earlier, this is my first taste of Pratchett’s Discworld series. I’ve always shied away from these books because, well, there are so many and it seemed like I would have to start at the very beginning to get any sense of what was going on. But then a friend lent me a few volumes and encouraged me to start with Small Gods. I had no idea Pratchett was this funny. I don’t usually laugh out loud while reading, but I did while reading about the exploits of god-turned-tortoise Om and his only sincerely faithful acolyte, Brutha.
Pratchett pokes a great deal of fun at organized religion and its instruments of power (especially those instruments that are shiny with sharp edges), but his satire is never didactic or cruel. His sharp sense of pacing lets him toss in extended asides without losing the thread of the main story. I particularly enjoyed Death’s cameo appearances and I plan on seeking out the books where he, er, it is the main character. But I now understand why Pratchett’s books are so prone to being shoplifted.
I’m currently working my way through King Dork. After that, I’m not sure. Perhaps some nonfiction. Both Fiasco and the Tiptree biography look compelling. And I’m also eager to read S.M. Stirling’s Dies the Fire.
