Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett
November 14th 2009 04:26
Recently I chose to quit smoking. I also decided that as a congratulatory self-gift I would take $50 of the money I had saved by not smoking and buy myself a treat each month. My first month came and went and while walking through K-Mart I found the latest Terry Pratchett Discworld novel Unseen Academicals. The search for my first months treat was over.
Unseens Academicals is the 37th novel in the phenomenally successful DIscworld Series. This particular story sees us returning to Ankh-Morpork and Unseen University, so ably mismanaged by Archchancellor Ridcully.
It also sees a street rough game called foot-in-the-ball morphed by the Tyrant Vetinari into football - soccer to those of us who aren't in Europe and the UK.
Favourite characters abound including Ridcully, Rincewind, The Chest and a special guest appearance by His Grace, Sir Samuel Vimes. There are some new characters introduced in this novel that I hope to hear - see - more of. Trevor LIkely, the lad about town, Juliet, the beautiful if slightly slow kitchen hand, Glenda Sugarbean, Mistress of the NIght Kitchen, baker of pies - with crunchy pickle onions inside - and Mr Nutt who lives only to gain worth and not disappoint Her Ladyship.
Unseen Academicals is Terry Pratchett at his best. Discovering that in order to retain a donation the wizards of Unseen University must take part in a football match every 20 years, the rotund wizards gather together - with the help of Mr Nutt and Ponder Stibbons - a team of football players, to take on the best Ankh-Morpork has to offer. After all, it's tradition and traditions must be followed.
Throw in the invention of micromail and a tin can, and you have a great novel and a wonderful way to fill in the commute to work.
Unseen Academicals is fantastic. There are so many bits that made me laugh out loud I can't begin to describe them to you. If you are a fan of Pterry or know someone who is, make sure to add this book to your Christmas Present wish list.
Just watch out for Andy Shank.. he's a nutter.
Terry Pratchetts Unseen Academicals is available from all good book shops and department stores. And make sure to follow Terry on his twitter account here Terry Pratchett
'Ho, the Megapode!'
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