Brutha has been chosen. His god, the great and powerful god Om, has spoken to him. Brutha is a simple lad, but, he's quite good at growing melons. Among other things, he wants peace, justice, and brotherly love. But what he wants, more than anything, is for his god to choose someone else.

Possibly the best of the Discworld novels; I say possibly since I haven't actually read them all yet. But it's not everyday that you find a book that forces you to care about the characters and think about the philosophical implications of the plot at the same time that you're rolling around on the floor in tears of laughter. I find that humorous books don't usually stand up well to multiple readings, but this one certainly does.

If you only read one Pratchett novel ever, read this one. The world at large tends to agree that it's the best introduction to the series, because it's hilariously funny but doesn't rely on characters or plot points introduced in previous books. ( )

A bit of a parody on the Persians and the Greeks, this story could also apply to many eras of our history when "religion" ran away with godliness. The great god, Om, finds himself in a tortoise body with only one true believer left. We follow him and his believer through trials and errors as they are caught between a tyrant and a fanatic. Of course this is full of Discworld humor, fun characters and thought-provoking ideas. I enjoyed the spotlight on the weakness of organized religion compared to true faith. Sadly, I don't think Pratchett is convinced there is such a thing as true faith, so it is lacking in answers, but that doesn't hurt the story. ( )

The turtle moves! ( )

http://pixxiefishbooks.blogspot.com/2...

So while I was going through my mini sci-fi/fantasy reading binge, I added this book to the list (yes, same bookshelf). The only other Terry Pratchett I have read is Good Omens, which he co-wrote with Neil Gaiman. And I am, oddly enough, constantly getting the two books confused. But Small Gods is a good book, though not laugh-out-loud funny like Good Omens. It takes place in a time when the various small gods have been largely forgotten in favour of a few large, very important gods. One of these, Om, unfortunately has somehow gotten trapped in the body of a very small tortoise, and he must convince his chosen disciple, Brutha, and the people of his land that he is in fact the god Om and must be obeyed. There are, of course, neighbouring lands with competing gods, and most worrying of all, the Quisition, a thinly-veiled version of the Spanish Inquisition. Hilarity ensues. Read it. ( )

A decent comedy set in the Discworld universe. It did not, in my opinion, have the same polish or personal appeal as Christopher Moore's stuff, but it was okay. I would not specifically recommend it to someone looking for something new to read.

I can only take so much over-the-top silliness at a time, so it will be a few months before I give another book in the series a shot. ( )

The middle is a bit boring, I do like the view of Discworld and its cosmology given here. ( )

Enjoyed this more than other Pratchett books. Probably as I have a thing for turtles. The ending was brilliant. ( )

We've been listening to a lot of the Discworld books, and while Pratchett is often able to make very human characters amid a field of skewered caricatures, this one really does a great job. I also love the open-endedness the book finishes with.

Highly recommended. ( )

A stand-alone novel, the thirteenth in the Discworld series. When published it was probably the most philosophical of the Discworld novels. There are plenty of amusing moments, often involving a tortoise, or Death, or possibly an Ephebian philosopher trying to explain something. However, the main theme is a prolonged wrestle with questions of faith, truth and freedom and the ways in which organised religion tends to crush each of these. ( )

I enjoy all Pratchett's books.

This one is my favo(u)rite. ( )

In which we learn how gods are made. Terry moves into the somewhat sensitive area of religion and what some unscrupulous people can do with it.

This novel introduces all new characters, although it strikes me that Vorbis shares certain characteristics with the Patrician of Ankh-Morpork; the difference mainly being that Vorbis sees reality as he wishes it to be wherease the Patrician sees it as it is. Brutha makes an interesting transition, as does Om, and the unregarded gardener will return in future novels. ( )

The vengeful, turtlish god of a fire-and-brimstone religion tries to figure out why only one dim-witted believer can hear him. ( )

It was obvious where Pratchett was coming from with this novel, and the ideas are definitely strong and fun, and with a powerful anti-theistic message. But I just found the plotting a little confused and unnecessary in places to get really into for some reason, and the main character a bit dull, despite his prodigious memory. ( )

In Omnia, everybody worships the great god Om, immortalized in temple art as a virile bull. So it comes as a surprise then, to simple-minded temple acolyte Brutha, when a tortoise speaks to him claiming to be Om. Turns out Om has been trapped in the body of a tortoise for the last few years and Brutha is the only person who can hear him. Before long Om and Brutha are sent on a mission to Ephebe as the Omnian Empire tries to expand, and new gods battle with the old.

I think this is one of my favourite Discworld novels. It’s one of the few that isn’t set in Ankh-Morpork, though Ankh-Morpork does feature in it a bit, but most of it takes place in Omnia and Ephebe, a city-state of philosophers modeled after Ancient Athens. Very few familiar characters appear, but what the book does is hilariously satirize organized religion. Pratchett pokes fun at religious doctrine and politics, contrasting them to simple, good-hearted Brutha. Brutha represents the best of the human spirit and his portrayal, especially as he matured, was incredibly tender. Small Gods also poses the question of where gods come from and why religion exists.

A fun, smart, warm book. I cheered for Brutha and Om the entire way through. ( )

The first book of Pratchett's that I ever read; it remains my favourite Discworld novel. ( )

Not in any particular Discworld series. ( )

This isn't my favourite Discworld novel by any stretch. Possibly because it's a parody of organised religion, and the Inquisition in particular. It does pick up towards the end, but parts of it are a little dull. ( )

Possibly Pratchett's best. I refer you to the concise review by Artur - that's the nub of it!
Read this very funny book - more than once! ( )

This book should be required reading for anyone who has profoundly held religious beliefs. Pratchett effectively, and with pointed humor, parodies institutionalized religion from many angles, but still allows that sincere and simple belief exists within it. One of Pratchett's best, and that's up against some serious competition. ( )

Am I mixing it up with a canticle for leibowitz?

Link to a review on my personal website (might be in Swedish). ( )

Another fabulous Discworld novel. This one started off a bit slow and I was beginning to think this might end up being my least favorite of the series. However, it soon exploaded into a great story that never leads where one might expect it to. Pratchett's take on religion and philosophy is almost spot-on and wildly entertaining and thought-provoking. ( )

Brain candy! (Of the best sort...) ( )