|
Sourcery (Discworld Novel) | 
| Author: Terry Pratchett
Publisher: Corgi Books
Category: Book
List Price: £7.99
Buy New: £5.99
You Save: £2.00 (25%)
New (20) Used (24) Collectible (1) from £1.66
Avg. Customer Rating:  21 reviews
Sales Rank: 2627
Media: Paperback
Edition: New edition
Pages: 269
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9
ISBN: 0552131075
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780552131070
ASIN: 0552131075
Publication Date: July 1, 1989
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
|
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 16 more reviews...
 All-out war, Discworld-style December 20, 2008
The one where Rincewind (last seen in `The Light Fantastic') rides again, this time joined by Conina the Hairdresser (daughter of Cohen the Barbarian) and the very fearsome Nijel the Destroyer. Together, they take on the Sourcerer, with his grand plans for a Discworld run by wizards. Features a spectacular magical war, in which the wizards' seat of learning, Unseen University, comes under some very peculiar bombardment. Heavy on the spells, curses and magical hocus-pocus, so not as flowing an adventure as some in the series.
 Pivitol Event In Discworld History July 16, 2008
Sourcery is one of the pivitol moments in the Discworld series, and one any fan should be greatful for. Whilst the first two novels were large in scope, and introduced a vast array of colourful, exciting characters, in an exciting universe built on satire, the plots don't feel so much thought out, as thrown together, and the following two novels seemed independant to the rest of the charcater saga's (The Witches and Death respectively), in the exclusion of main characters (Nanny Ogg and Magrat) and obvious character differences(Death in Mort is such a contrast to Death in Reaper Man), almost as if the lead roles were different people of the same name to the ones we have become familiair to.
No, Sourcery is special in that Rincewind, the accidental hero, is the same Rincewind that appears in the later episodes, but is allowed room to develop into a more rounded character. It also feels tighter as a story, in that the actions of Rincewind, Conina and Ipslore in the begining few pages of the book, and important elements of the story, and affect everybody. It was some time later that Pratchett discovered subtlety of narrative, often best displayed in the Guards novels, but here you can feel it beginning to develop, and as pace goes, this book has the right combination of speed and depth to be greatly entertaining.
It must also be applauded for it's cast of supporting characters. Conan's daughter Conina is funny, and refreshingly strong, whislt remaining feminine (like a proto-Susan D'eath), and the cowering, naive Nijel the barbarian, as well as Coin, and the Librarian (ok, he is a recurring character, but fantastic in this none the less), all give the book a vibrancy missing in a lot of modern fiction.
Whilst this isn't the best Rincewind novel (Interesting Times is much more accomplished), it is still great fun to read, with jokes densley populating each page, and worth buying, even if you don't like Pratchetts early work.
Zap May 9, 2008
This is the story of how the world of wizzards (sic) gets turned upside down by a young boy who's reincarnated dad has grand plans for him. It is a typically bizarre Pratchett outing and includes everyones favourites Rincewind and the Luggage.
Its a strange book though in the fact it doesnt end on the happiest note, accepted it ends with a sort of tranquillity, but its hard to call it happy - and for that reason you need to read it PLUS read the next instalment just to find out exactly how Pratchett puts his normal cast back together.
 Pardon my Klatchian February 10, 2008
"Sourcery" is the fifth novel in Terry Pratchett's hugely popular Discworld series, was first published in 1988 and is the third to give a starring role to Rincewind, the cowardly one-spell wizard.
Wizardry is widely seen as the most appropriate profession for the eighth son of an eighth son - however, given that it's also a celibate profession, is isn't a job that is intended to run in the family. Unfortunately, accidents do occasionally happen and the eighth son of a wizard is known as a Soucerer - a wizard who is also a source of magic. They are hugely dangerous, and will increase the background levels of magic to such a degree that other wizards may just start building towers and launch another round of the Mage Wars...
Ipslore the Red is one of the exceptions : he fled the halls of the Unseen University, married and had a family. The inevitable eighth son, Coin, is only a baby when Death arrives for Ipslore and the ex-wizard decides to choose his son's destiny. The future he picks for Coin includes wearing the Archchancellor's Hat of the Unseen University and, in an attempt to cheat Death, Ipslore enters his staff when he leaves his body. His intention is to guide Coin to his destiny....
Coin is roughly ten years old when he makes it to the University, and isn't long in taking over. When he deals with two of the Wizards - including the incoming Archchancellor - in a swift and very final manner, the remaining members of staff are understandably reluctant to stand against him. However, two of the survivors - a rather devious pair called Spelter and Carding - smell an opportunity. In seeing themselves as Coin's most senior and trusted advisors, they don't realise that Ipslore already has that role to himself.
Coin's arrival isn't universally welcomed - the rats and the gargoyles are amongst the first to flee, while the books in the University's library are distinctly unsettled. Rincewind, now acting as the University's honourary assistant librarian, is the first member of staff to realise there's something strange happening and nips off to the pub in a panic with the Librarian (an orang-utan), and his Luggage. (Luggage is a large brass-bound box, made from sapient pearwood - the same material wizard's staff is traditionally made from. It can move around by itself, has rather a vicious temper and - like Dr Who's Tardis - appears to be much bigger on the inside than on the outside). While Rincewind has been lucky enough to avoid Coin at the University, he's unfortunate enough to be apprehended by Conina at the Mended Drum. Conina, a very successful thief, is the daughter of Cohen the Barbarian and has pilfered the Archchancellor's Hat from the University. In this case, however, she stole the hat at its own request. (It is a magic hat after all...and it has realised that Coin's arrival will signal the Apocralypse). Under the Hat's instructions, Rincewind and Conina travel to Klatch, where the Hat believes there is a mind devious enough to wear it...and stand against the Sourcerer.
As usual from Pratchett, this is an easily read, rather silly and very enjoyable book.
Not a Pratchett's best novel January 21, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have not enjoyed this novel as much as other of the Discworld series. Of course, there is material for the Pratchett fan, and as other reviewers point out, it has some really good points like War, Famine, Hunger and Death playing dice and becoming quite drunk at a roadside inn. Again, Rincewind, that coward and ungifted magician is entrusted with the world's safety. But in my opinion, a much shorter novel, would make the message come trough much better. The central part of the novel, with the two magial towers covers up the core of the novel, and we do not know what a sourcerer actually does. Also the character of Cohen the Barbarian's daughter could be better developed, because in the end she plays no real role.
All in all, a read if you have read some other Discworld novels.
|
|
|
| |
