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Sam Vimes, watch commander of Ankh-Morpork, is at long last taking a much-needed (and well deserved) vacation. But, of course, this is Discworld®, where nothing goes as planned-and before Vimes can even change his cardboard-soled boots for vacationer's slippers, the gruff watch commander soon finds himself enmeshed in a fresh fiasco fraught with magic, cunning, daring, and (for the reader more than for poor Vimes) endless hilarity. Did he really expect time off? As Vimes himself says in show more Feet of Clay, 'there's some magical creature called 'overtime,' only no one's even seen its footprints.' Following Unseen Academichals, Terry Pratchett delivers an enthralling new tale from a place of insuperable adventure: Discworld.Discworld® is a registered trademark. show lessTags
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The Discworld novels have always been the surface of a river - bubbles and froth and unexpected eddies that nonetheless take you somewhere interesting. Snuff moves past the surface into the deeper currents, where the naked power of Pratchett's vision is finally revealed.
It's a grim book, and a sad book, in many ways. While there are no shortage of poo jokes, delightful bit characters, and perhaps more sex than previous, the main story is about discovering that humanity is no better than it should be. Vimes, long the stalwart upholder of the law, begins to demand that the law bend to the good. Vetinari, always impenetrable, begins to remove his masks. And Pratchett dispenses with light satire to make a very serious point.
Pratchett's show more publicly discussed (and much-mourned) early-onset Alzheimer's may or may not have had an effect on the book in terms of focus or word choice - I can't tell. But I think it had an undeniable effect on the theme. Sir Terry is confronting his own ugly mortality, and it shows here. I wouldn't hand Snuff to a newcomer to Discworld - it relies too much on the long-running story of Sam Vimes. But for fans, it's unmissable. And perhaps the best yet. show less
It's a grim book, and a sad book, in many ways. While there are no shortage of poo jokes, delightful bit characters, and perhaps more sex than previous, the main story is about discovering that humanity is no better than it should be. Vimes, long the stalwart upholder of the law, begins to demand that the law bend to the good. Vetinari, always impenetrable, begins to remove his masks. And Pratchett dispenses with light satire to make a very serious point.
Pratchett's show more publicly discussed (and much-mourned) early-onset Alzheimer's may or may not have had an effect on the book in terms of focus or word choice - I can't tell. But I think it had an undeniable effect on the theme. Sir Terry is confronting his own ugly mortality, and it shows here. I wouldn't hand Snuff to a newcomer to Discworld - it relies too much on the long-running story of Sam Vimes. But for fans, it's unmissable. And perhaps the best yet. show less
Before reading the book, my emotions were a perfect mix of trepidation and excitement. I love Vimes books. Love them. Night Watch is probably my favorite fantasy book ever written. At the same time, wWith the author's declining health, I was afraid a Vimes book might lose its quintessential Vimesness.
After reading, my feelings are mixed. It was wonderful to see the characters again, to see Sam with his little son, to again walk in Discworld. The book has heart. It fairly drips with earnestness. At the same time, it is practically festooned in platitudes and aphorisms.
I had the odd feeling that I was reading a fanfiction of Discworld rather than a canon book. Most surprising to me was the alteration in writing style. Pratchett has show more always been brilliant at using snappy, clever exchanges between his characters to convey unstated emotions and beliefs. However, in Snuff, conversations between characters devolve into monologues that continue uninterrupted for two to four pages at a time. Rather than intimation and complex dialogue, Vimes repeatedly explicitly questions his own character and role, and other characters directly answer his questions in a manner I found awkward and unnatural. I felt the characters fell into the "tell rather than show" paradigm, often explicitly stating opinions and beliefs that would have been left to reader inference in previous books. The book felt to me like a familiar song played by an overeager student who had the tempo just slightly wrong.
For all that, Snuff is worth a read for Discworld fans. It features the return of many familiar characters and is quite enjoyable; if it were not for the high standard that books like Night Watch have led me to expect of Pratchett, I would have found it fantastic. Even with my disappointed expectations, I found the story heartfelt and very sweet. show less
After reading, my feelings are mixed. It was wonderful to see the characters again, to see Sam with his little son, to again walk in Discworld. The book has heart. It fairly drips with earnestness. At the same time, it is practically festooned in platitudes and aphorisms.
I had the odd feeling that I was reading a fanfiction of Discworld rather than a canon book. Most surprising to me was the alteration in writing style. Pratchett has show more always been brilliant at using snappy, clever exchanges between his characters to convey unstated emotions and beliefs. However, in Snuff, conversations between characters devolve into monologues that continue uninterrupted for two to four pages at a time. Rather than intimation and complex dialogue, Vimes repeatedly explicitly questions his own character and role, and other characters directly answer his questions in a manner I found awkward and unnatural. I felt the characters fell into the "tell rather than show" paradigm, often explicitly stating opinions and beliefs that would have been left to reader inference in previous books. The book felt to me like a familiar song played by an overeager student who had the tempo just slightly wrong.
For all that, Snuff is worth a read for Discworld fans. It features the return of many familiar characters and is quite enjoyable; if it were not for the high standard that books like Night Watch have led me to expect of Pratchett, I would have found it fantastic. Even with my disappointed expectations, I found the story heartfelt and very sweet. show less
This didn't do much for me; Snuff is the weakest of the eight City Watch novels by a clear margin. Part of my objection is a little unfair: I don't know if Pratchett meant for this to be the last one, but it doesn't feel satisfying for the final one to mostly take place outside of the city and largely not involve the majority of the Watch. Aside from a few scenes, it's all Vimes all the time meaning we don't get closure on long-running subplots, especially Carrot and Angua.
But even on its own terms, this didn't work for me. Both Willikins and Sybil felt out of character, and the book was full of elements that didn't seem to go anywhere. The opening has a big focus on what Lord Vetinari is up to that as far as I could tell turned out to show more be irrelevant, and a subplot about a Jane Austen spoof just gets forgotten. The big climax is good, but then the book just keeps on going.
But even a weak Pratchett is filled with strong moments. The rehabilitation of the goblins is great, and I love any scene where Vimes punctures others' pretensions and/or argues his way into being in authority. So, a frustrating way to go out: glimpses of greatness, but no one wants a series's last installment to be its weakest. show less
But even on its own terms, this didn't work for me. Both Willikins and Sybil felt out of character, and the book was full of elements that didn't seem to go anywhere. The opening has a big focus on what Lord Vetinari is up to that as far as I could tell turned out to show more be irrelevant, and a subplot about a Jane Austen spoof just gets forgotten. The big climax is good, but then the book just keeps on going.
But even a weak Pratchett is filled with strong moments. The rehabilitation of the goblins is great, and I love any scene where Vimes punctures others' pretensions and/or argues his way into being in authority. So, a frustrating way to go out: glimpses of greatness, but no one wants a series's last installment to be its weakest. show less
The City Watch have always been my favourite Discworld characters and ‘Snuff’ was an absolute delight from start to finish. Ostensibly the tale of Vimes being sent on holiday against his will, it combines moments of hilarious absurdity with a moving and meaningful plot about acceptance. Although Vimes’ adventures in the countryside dominate, the narrative also darts back to Ankh-Morpork to check on the rest of the Watch. Among the multitude of lines to make me laugh out loud were these, about Sergeants Nobby and Colon:
Other joys include Jane Austen’s cameo, little Sam’s obsession with poo, Vimes’ valet Willikins who is essentially Assassin Jeeves, the dramatic boat chase, the pig magazine, Vimes getting Flutter to turn King’s evidence, Wee Mad Arthur in general, Sybil’s masterful grasp of politics, Vimes copying Vetinari’s intimidation techniques, and sundry excellent bits of dialogue. Pratchett’s skill with names reached new heights with the sea captains: Captain Haddock made me smile, then Captain Murderer made me laugh every time Vimes repeated it in disbelief. Bewilderforce and Bewildred were likewise utter genius.
As with the best of Discworld novels, ‘Snuff’ makes you grin at puns and references while advancing powerful and subtle points about exploitation and empathy. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: fantasy novels only work for me if they can convincingly show why the status quo exists and how it can change. Pratchett was especially brilliant at this. Discworld novels are optimistic without naivety, showing how technological and social change can make a world more inclusive to everyone’s benefit. All this and a stream of irresistible puns. show less
And not least, oh my word not least, they were lucky. Many a crime had been solved because things that had fallen on them, tried to kill them, tripped one of them up, been found floating in their lunch, and in oneshow more
case had tried to lay its eggs up Nobby’s nose.
Other joys include Jane Austen’s cameo, little Sam’s obsession with poo, Vimes’ valet Willikins who is essentially Assassin Jeeves, the dramatic boat chase, the pig magazine, Vimes getting Flutter to turn King’s evidence, Wee Mad Arthur in general, Sybil’s masterful grasp of politics, Vimes copying Vetinari’s intimidation techniques, and sundry excellent bits of dialogue. Pratchett’s skill with names reached new heights with the sea captains: Captain Haddock made me smile, then Captain Murderer made me laugh every time Vimes repeated it in disbelief. Bewilderforce and Bewildred were likewise utter genius.
As with the best of Discworld novels, ‘Snuff’ makes you grin at puns and references while advancing powerful and subtle points about exploitation and empathy. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: fantasy novels only work for me if they can convincingly show why the status quo exists and how it can change. Pratchett was especially brilliant at this. Discworld novels are optimistic without naivety, showing how technological and social change can make a world more inclusive to everyone’s benefit. All this and a stream of irresistible puns. show less
Sam Vimes is off, against his will, to spend a few weeks vacation in the countryside at his wife’s estate. But Sam never gets a vacation. He comes across a mystery & cannot stop being a cop so he must investigate. It turns out his neighbors have been engaging in some terrible injustice over the years & Sam, being Sam, must correct it. The book is humorous, meaningful, adventurous, even touching in places. It is a very character driven story, the plot is there mostly as a framework for the characters themselves. We learn a lot more about Sam’s butler Wilikins & gain more knowledge about Sam & his wife as well as about a much maligned Discworld race. Pratchett’s themes this time are slavery & injustice and he does an excellent job show more with both. show less
In Snuff Sam Vimes is on his first holiday and "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a policeman taking a holiday will barely have had time to open his suitcase before he finds his first corpse." So while visiting Lady Sybil's country estate Sam comes across a mystery and his copper's instincts come into play as he uncovers the truth behind a death, smuggling and various nefarious goings on.
What to say about the latest in the Discworld series? I love Pratchett's work — his writing; his characters; his stories — but, in some ways his later books are getting less subtle. I don't go into his work expecting laugh out loud humour, more a recognition of the way societies work and the intrinsic humour of life and Snuff delivers. show more This is another great addition to the series and as long as he goes on writing I'll keep on reading. show less
What to say about the latest in the Discworld series? I love Pratchett's work — his writing; his characters; his stories — but, in some ways his later books are getting less subtle. I don't go into his work expecting laugh out loud humour, more a recognition of the way societies work and the intrinsic humour of life and Snuff delivers. show more This is another great addition to the series and as long as he goes on writing I'll keep on reading. show less
I have come to the conclusion that my favorite way to enjoy a Terry Pratchett book is through a combination of listening to an audio (preferably read by Stephen Briggs) and re-reading notable passages and chapters in print. What this means is I'm starting to amass duplicate copies of the Discworld novels.
Snuff by Terry Pratchett is the 39th Discworld novel. Commander Vimes is out of his element, taken on holiday to his wife's family estate. He's away from his bacon sandwiches, his Watch, and the streets of Ankh-Morpork. As an unwelcome outsider, and one who doesn't want to play by the rules ascribed to that of a lord, Vimes brings out the worst in people. He's also nearly framed for a murder.
Crime though is Vimes's thing. He has the law show more in his blood. The brutal killing of a goblin brings to the surface years of subjugation of, and violence against, goblins by humans (and other species of the disc). Vimes through his belief in the law swallows his prejudices long enough to get to know the goblins who live under the hills of this country township.
What surfaces through the investigation and growing friendship is a better understanding of goblin culture and the price they've paid for the expansion of human progress across the disc. While Jingo began the criticism of the spread of the British empire (through a political and military clash between Ankh-Morpork and Klatch), Snuff looks at the civilian cost of conquest Ñ indigenous people wiped out through war and disease, other peoples transplanted through slavery, institutionalized poverty, loss of native culture and the imposing of a new culture and morality.
Snuff is one of most heartbreaking volume of the Discworld stories (I Shall Wear Midnight in close second). What started off as a series of humorous episodes full of puns and ridiculous situations has evolved into a mature (albeit entertaining) discussion of politics, racism, sexism, war, injustice, poverty, class and caste systems, religion, and on and on. show less
Snuff by Terry Pratchett is the 39th Discworld novel. Commander Vimes is out of his element, taken on holiday to his wife's family estate. He's away from his bacon sandwiches, his Watch, and the streets of Ankh-Morpork. As an unwelcome outsider, and one who doesn't want to play by the rules ascribed to that of a lord, Vimes brings out the worst in people. He's also nearly framed for a murder.
Crime though is Vimes's thing. He has the law show more in his blood. The brutal killing of a goblin brings to the surface years of subjugation of, and violence against, goblins by humans (and other species of the disc). Vimes through his belief in the law swallows his prejudices long enough to get to know the goblins who live under the hills of this country township.
What surfaces through the investigation and growing friendship is a better understanding of goblin culture and the price they've paid for the expansion of human progress across the disc. While Jingo began the criticism of the spread of the British empire (through a political and military clash between Ankh-Morpork and Klatch), Snuff looks at the civilian cost of conquest Ñ indigenous people wiped out through war and disease, other peoples transplanted through slavery, institutionalized poverty, loss of native culture and the imposing of a new culture and morality.
Snuff is one of most heartbreaking volume of the Discworld stories (I Shall Wear Midnight in close second). What started off as a series of humorous episodes full of puns and ridiculous situations has evolved into a mature (albeit entertaining) discussion of politics, racism, sexism, war, injustice, poverty, class and caste systems, religion, and on and on. show less
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Pratchett is a master storyteller. He is endlessly inventive, even when telling a routine kind of tale. He gives you more information and more story than you need, just because he can, and this is completely satisfying. He is a master of complex jokes, good bad jokes, good dreadful jokes and a kind of insidious wisdom about human nature (and other forms of alien nature). I think his mad show more footnotes are there because he can't stop his mind whirring, and our whirring minds go with him. I read his books at a gallop and then reread them every time I am ill or exhausted. show less
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Author Information
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Terry Pratchett was on born April 28, 1948 in Beaconsfield, United Kingdom. He left school at the age of 17 to work on his local paper, the Bucks Free Press. While with the Press, he took the National Council for the Training of Journalists proficiency class. He also worked for the Western Daily Press and the Bath Chronicle. He produced a series show more of cartoons for the monthly journal, Psychic Researcher, describing the goings-on at the government's fictional paranormal research establishment, Warlock Hall. In 1980, he was appointed publicity officer for the Central Electricity Generating Board with responsibility for three nuclear power stations. His first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. His first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983. He became a full-time author in 1987. He wrote more than 70 books during his lifetime including The Dark Side of the Sun, Strata, The Light Fantastic, Equal Rites, Mort, Sourcery, Truckers, Diggers, Wings, Dodger, Raising Steam, Dragons at Crumbling Castle: And Other Tales, and The Shephard's Crown. He was diagnosis with early onset Alzheimer's disease in 2007. He was knighted for services to literature in 2009 and received the World Fantasy award for life achievement in 2010. He died on March 12, 2015 at the age of 66. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Contains
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title*
- Steife Prise
- Original title
- Snuff
- Original publication date
- 2011-10
- People/Characters
- Sam Vimes; Lady Sybil Ramkin Vimes; Young Sam Vimes; Havelock Vetinari (Patrician of Ankh-Morpork); Chief Constable Feeney Upshot; Fred Colon (show all 37); Nobby Nobbs; Felicity Beedle; Tears of the Mushroom; Captain Carrot; Inspector A. E. Pessimal; Lord Gravid Rust; Ted Flutter; Angua von Überwald; Constable Wee Mad Arthur; Constable Precious Jolson; Acting Captain Haddock; Lieutenant Perdix; Captain Murderer; Mr. Stump; Detritus; Lady Margolotta; Colonel Charles Augustus Makepeace; Letitia Makepeace; Miss. Pickerings; Knatchbull Harrington; William de Worde; Mr. Coffin; William Butler; Ariadne Gordon; Emily Gordon; Mavis Gordon; Fleur Gordon; Amanda Gordon; Jane Gordon; Hermione Gordon; Mad Jack Ramkin
- Important places
- Ankh-Morpork, Discworld; Howondaland, Discworld; Quirm, Discworld
- Dedication
- For Rob... for in between his days off.
For Emma... for helping me understand goblins.
And for Lyn... for always. - First words
- The goblin experience of the world is the cult or perhaps religion of Unggue.
- Quotations
- Vimes never understood where those explosive 'What's came from. After all, he thought, what's the point of just barking out 'What!' for absolutely no discernible reason? And as for "What, what!?" well, what was that all about... (show all)? What? 'What?' seemed to be tent pegs hammered into the conversation, but what the hell for? What?
Lady Sybil took the view that her darling husband's word was law for the City Watch while, in her own case, it was a polite suggestion to be graciously considered.
[said by Willikins] This is a stiletto I'm holding to your throat and it ain't no ladies' shoe, this is the real thing, the cutting edge, as it were. You are a little twit, and I ain't the commander and I will slice you to th... (show all)e bone if you make a move. Got that? Now don't nod your head! Good, we are learning, aren't we? Now, my lad, the commander here is trusted by Diamond King of Trolls and the Low King of the Dwarfs, who would only have to utter a word for your measly carcass to come under the caress of a large number of versatile axes, and by Lady Margolotta of Uberwald, who trusts very few people, and by Lord Veterinari of Ankh-Morpork, who doesn't trust anybody. Got that? Don't nod! And you, my little man, have the damn nerve to doubt his word. I'm an easygoing sort of fellow, but that sort of thing leaves me right out of sorts, I don't mind telling you. You understand? I said, do you understand? Oh, all right, you can nod now. [...] - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)The title of the book was Pride and Extreme Prejudice.
- Original language
- English
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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