Terry Pratchett is a famous writer from the UK who created books in the style of satirical fantasy. He was born on April 28, 1948 and died on March 12, 2015. Pratchett's books were distinguished not only by satire, but also by an unobtrusive, but deep philosophy.
The future writer was a true humanist, but from a young age he was interested in how the universe works, and dreamed of becoming an astronomer. To do this, he did not have enough mathematical skills. As a result, Pratchett devoted his life not to the study of celestial bodies, but to the creation of literary stories that resonated in the hearts of readers of various ages.
Here is a list of the top 10 books by Terry Pratchett: a rating of poignant and funny satirical works with a deep meaning.
10. Shepherd's crown
In the center of the plot of the book "Shepherd's crown"- the story of Tiffany Bohlen, the young witch of the Flat World. This is a literary work about changes, about growing up, about a girl who did not change herself and risked to move through life in her own way.
Tiffany had to face a lot of problems. She was engaged in various witch affairs, defended the borders of the world, and then the need arose to take the place of leader. However, the young witch coped: she did well both to take care of everything around him and to solve issues related to morality.
9. The cat is unvarnished
Terry Pratchett loved cats very much and devoted an entire book to these cute creatures. "Unvarnished cat"- a work written with infinite positive and irony. Pratchett writes about the habits, habits of representatives of the cat family, about how they behave towards people.
Immersed in the writer's observations, it is simply impossible not to smile. He describes cats with special skill and love, sometimes goes into thoughts about the types of these mysterious creatures. True cat lovers will definitely like this work.
8. Witches abroad
This is a book from the series "Flat World", the sub cycle "Witches". Readers will meet with the already beloved characters: mother Vetrovosk, the nanny Yagg, the Chesnogk fairy. They are getting ready to get to Orlei. Cinderella lives there, the fairy godmother. The prince invited the girl to become his wife.
In the book "Witches Abroad"The writer says that the lifespan of fairy tales is very long, and they are repeated over and over again. The strongest are those stories that are repeated more often than others. The main characters will have to face invincible magical powers. Will they be able to cope with this difficult test?
The book intertwined plots of fairy tales, Voodoo magic, legends of various nations. There are philosophical considerations, and humor. This book is very easy to read and enjoyable.
7. Hat full of sky
The dream came true, witchcraft training has begun! But this initially seemed a bit wrong. No elegant spells, swings of a magic wand, light and beautiful magic - nothing of the kind. If everything is very difficult, you may have to forget about the beautiful and stop plaguing yourself with pipe dreams. It remains only to care for the elderly and milk goats.
However, Tiffany Bohlen, the protagonist of the book "Hat full of sky"Is not entirely hopeless. There is one trick in her sleeve: the ability to temporarily leave the body in order to observe herself from the side. But is this activity safe? The witch has to find out about this. This brave girl will not give in to difficulties.
6. The Guard! Sentinel!
The book "Sentinel! Sentinel!”Can be compared in some ways with“ The Hobbit ”and“ Harry Potter ”, but it differs all the same features: subtle satire and the original humor of the author. In this work, the shortcomings of society are ridiculed, dragons, gnomes and other fantastic creatures are masterfully described.
A plot is about to take place against the ruler, and the Night Watch is ready to take on stopping the intruders. The return of calm, the restoration of order are in their hands, but, unfortunately, these are only losers who are not capable of anything.
Noticing the criminals, the guards prefer to pretend that nothing is happening. Will these characters remain so forever? The author skillfully arouses readers' feelings, sadness, then laughter and smiles.
5. Keep the mark!
In the book "Hold the mark!"Tells of a difficult decision: every person has to choose one day. The plot focuses on the story of a real specialist in creating fakes and fakes.
Should the fraudster choose: to head the Postal Service or be hanged? Now he has to keep track of mail and delivery, despite competitors, bad weather, dogs and even killings.
The fraudster thought that his life would now be boring and boring, but everything turned out to be completely wrong. He is engaged in the revival of mail and in parallel investigates the fraud of the director of the semaphore company.
The plot of the book is rather unpretentious, but it even attracts, rather than repels.
4. To the weapon! To the weapon!
Heroes of the book "To the weapon! To the weapon!»Live in difficult times. They have to ask for help from such unreliable creatures as gnomes, trolls and women. However, Ankh-Morpork has to be defended, so there is simply no choice.
Recruits are imposed on Weimes - the commander who is preparing for the wedding celebration. Happiness is overshadowed by the fact that mysterious murders are being committed in the city, and during that time, previously unknown firearms were used.
The book tells about work, friendship, romantic feelings. Pratchett also raises serious topics: for example, that a person who owns a weapon eventually turns into his slave. Other adult themes, for example, on violence and sexual relations, are successfully interwoven into the “childhood” of the book.
3. Santa Grunt
Death has only one night to save Santa Boar. To do this, you have to try on the outfit of a good old man. If the balance of faith is not restored in the Universe, something irreparable and terrible will happen.
«Santa boar"Is both a magical horror story shining with New Year's lights, and another satirical parody of the world of people from the master of humorous works of Pratchett.
2. The shallow gods
Everything happened in those ancient times, when people spoke especially often about powerful gods and great prophets. The stout young man Brutus is a novice of the Citadel, he remembers absolutely everything. This unusual talent attracts completely unnecessary attention of others to him.
In the book "Petty gods”There is another important character, the great god Om, who appears as a small turtle. Sometimes this work is even very serious, it has a lot of philosophy, but it is not without satire.
1. The Grim Reaper
Can death die? What will the world be like if it suddenly happens? In the book "Grim Reaper»Death suddenly ceases to be eternal and does not know what to do after that. The first thought is to be in the world of people and spend all the time you need there.
Priests, vampires, mediums, and many others are drawn into events. This work is dedicated to the unbridled power of life, it makes you think about how valuable it is. The book supposedly allows you to touch the soul of immortality.