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Going Postal by Terry Pratchett
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Going Postal (original 2004; edition 2005)

by Terry Pratchett

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11,744207543 (4.26)314
Arch-swindler Moist Van Lipwig never believed his confidence crimes were hanging offenses-until he found himself with a noose tightly around his neck, dropping through a trapdoor, and falling into-a government job? By all rights, Moist should have met his maker. Instead, it's Lord Vetinari, supreme ruler of Ankh-Morpork, who promptly offers him a job as Postmaster. Since his only other option is a nonliving one, Moist accepts the position-and the hulking golem watchdog who comes along with it, just in case Moist was considering abandoning his responsibilities prematurely. Getting the moribund Postal Service up and running again, however, may be a near-impossible task, what with literally mountains of decades-old undelivered mail clogging every nook and cranny of the broken-down post office building; and with only a few creaky old postmen and one rather unstable, pin-obsessed youth available to deliver it. Worse still, Moist could swear the mail is talking to him.… (more)
Member:cat_empress
Title:Going Postal
Authors:Terry Pratchett
Info:HarperTorch (2005), Mass Market Paperback, 416 pages
Collections:Your library
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Work Information

Going Postal by Terry Pratchett (2004)

  1. 50
    Making Money by Terry Pratchett (kinsey_m)
    kinsey_m: Same protagonist, just as fun.
  2. 50
    Thud! by Terry Pratchett (ChillnND)
    ChillnND: One of Pratchett's best Discworld books, a fast paced detective novel set in his fantastic world. There's plenty of wry, satirical social commentary in Thud! as there is in "Going Postal"
  3. 01
    There Came Both Mist and Snow by Michael Innes (khrhome)
    khrhome: Dry humor!
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English (195)  Spanish (3)  German (3)  Swedish (1)  Norwegian (1)  Dutch (1)  Danish (1)  All languages (205)
Showing 1-5 of 195 (next | show all)
There is lots of advice on how to get into the Discworld series. One quiz suggested I start with "Guards! Guards!" But Laura S. started with this one, and since I got tired of waiting for "Guards" to come in, I checked this out.

Moist von Lipwig is snatched from the gallows and given the opportunity to revive and run the Ankh-Morpork post office. Turns out a thief and confidence trickster is just what is needed. That and golems. ( )
  yarmando | Jan 27, 2024 |
this type of book - fantasy- is normally not my cup of tea, but this is one of my fiancé's favorite books and author so i gave it go. it took me a REALLY long time to get into it. BUT in the end this book was very enjoyable. Pratchett's writing style is brisk and entertaining. the humor placed throughout the book was well-paced and his characters are amusing and strange, but also had a certain sincerity that kept me interested in their welfare. and what a main character.. Moist von Lipwig was entertaining to follow. Moist's efforts to revive the struggling postal service should make you grin.. if you don't laugh to yourself while reading this something is wrong ( )
  Ellen-Simon | Dec 21, 2023 |
Can Moist von Lipwig revitalize the Post Office in these days of the fast communication of the clacks? I found lots of satirical social commentary in this entry in the Discworld series that feels relevant to today's society (perhaps even more so than when it was written!). ( )
  leslie.98 | Jun 27, 2023 |
Con-man Moist von Lipwig is rescued from the hangman and given an offer he can't refuse: revive the defunct Ankh-Morpork postal system or return to the noose. Unfortunately, the Grand Trunk, a cutting-edge clacks firm, is intent on snuffing out any potential rivals. Hijinks ensue.

Lipwig is an unusually malicious protagonist for a Discworld novel. I just gave my sister Pyramids to read and, flipping through the opening sections, I was struck by the pains Pratchett went through in the earlier novel to make the almost-assassin Teppic a sympathetic and vulnerable hero. By contrast, Lipwig has a clear-eyed view of his own amorality, although he sugar-coats the culpability of his victims. Of course, the conclusion of the novel asserts that Lipwig's compromised nature makes it possible for him alone to do the necessary dark deeds for the public benefit. (And just now, I've realized the brilliance of having economic predator Lipwig grapple with physical predator Gryle, who was a satisfying creepy sub-villain.) ( )
  proustbot | Jun 19, 2023 |
Showing 1-5 of 195 (next | show all)
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» Add other authors (15 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Terry Pratchettprimary authorall editionscalculated
Briggs, StephenNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Cholewa, Piotr W.Tł.secondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Kidby, PaulCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Matthews, RobinPhotographersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
McKowen, ScottCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Pearson, BernardIllustratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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The flotillas of the dead sailed around the world on underwater rivers.
Quotations
'Can I not?' said Vetinari. 'I am a tyrant. It's what we do.' (chapter 14)
'Oh, *please* sue the University!' Ridcully bellowed. 'We've got a *pond* full of people who tried to sue the University--' (chapter 14)
'Neither Deluge Nor Ice Storm Nor The Black Silence Of The Netherhells Shall Stay These Messengers About Their Sacred Business. Do Not Ask Us About Sabre-Tooth Tigers, Tar Pits, Big Green Things With Teeth Or The Goddess Czol.' (Chapter 6)
'What? Funning? I never fun! I do not fun, Miss Maccalariat, and have no history of funning, and even if I were inclined to funning, Miss Maccalariat, I would not dream of funning with you.' (chapter 7A)
The man going to be hanged had been named Moist von Lipwig by doting if unwise parents, but he was not going to embarrass the name, insofar as that was possible, by being hung under it. (chapter 1)
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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Wikipedia in English (1)

Arch-swindler Moist Van Lipwig never believed his confidence crimes were hanging offenses-until he found himself with a noose tightly around his neck, dropping through a trapdoor, and falling into-a government job? By all rights, Moist should have met his maker. Instead, it's Lord Vetinari, supreme ruler of Ankh-Morpork, who promptly offers him a job as Postmaster. Since his only other option is a nonliving one, Moist accepts the position-and the hulking golem watchdog who comes along with it, just in case Moist was considering abandoning his responsibilities prematurely. Getting the moribund Postal Service up and running again, however, may be a near-impossible task, what with literally mountains of decades-old undelivered mail clogging every nook and cranny of the broken-down post office building; and with only a few creaky old postmen and one rather unstable, pin-obsessed youth available to deliver it. Worse still, Moist could swear the mail is talking to him.

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Haiku summary
It seems criminals
Are government workers, but
Are they any good?
(espadrile)

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