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The wizards of Unseen University in the ancient city of Ankh-Morpork must win a football match, without using magic, so they're in the mood for trying everything else. As the match approaches, four lives are entangled and changed forever.Tags
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I admit it was with some trepidation I picked this off the shelf in my local bookstore. I have been waiting for it for a long time, and in such cases there is always the worry that the book will not reach the inflated standard my brain has concocted -- in this case a distilled serum of all previous Discworld books (although, to be fair, if it had turned out to be simply a distilled serum of all previous Discworld books, I would have been terribly disappointed).
I worried some more when I noticed the back proclaimed that
`The thing about football -- the important thing about football -- is that it is not just about football.'
I really dislike football. And somehow I had managed to miss the fact that football played any part in this book. I show more had terrible visions of Moving Pictures with football substituted for film. I know. The lack of faith is disturbing. I am happy to say I was mistaken. It is tempting to do the trite thing and say something along the lines of "The important thing about Unseen Academicals is, despite the cover and the blurb, that it is really not just about football." (Of course, I wouldn't do that; I am just saying you could…)
It is one of the better Wizards-books, if not the best.
It is Pratchett as I love him. Wizards galore. Chasing the Megapode. Football on the side, yes, but it was football with Wizards (more importantly, Pratchett's Wizards), which makes all the difference in the world. And, if I may draw a comparison to Moving Pictures again, I always found that the problem with that book was that the main characters of the Hollywood storyline were sadly two-dimensional. Here, that is not the case. Perhaps because there is more to their story than football -- their characters are not dependent on it. Perhaps pies just make for better writing. Mr Nutt is one of my favourite single-book characters. Closely followed by a number of the rest of the cast. They even rival the regulars.
Vetinari. I have been worried about him. He was growing more amazing with each passing book, and it seemed he would have to hit the ceiling at some point -- I was worried it would kill him. I found that this book changed tack a little: Vetinari is not as inscrutable as he usually is. I enjoyed this, though. I find I want to go back and read other books over, just to check … something. I am not sure what. And he played very well off both Glenda and Lady Margolotta.
Rincewind, Ponder Stibbons (brilliant), the Librarian, Ridcully, the Dean -- all present and accounted for. As is Sam Vimes, although I could have survived seeing more of him (even if Vimes is always better in a Vimes-centered book, and this was not one of those). The same goes for Vetinari (and Death, for that matter), of course -- but then I would really be happier if Pratchett's books were all never-ending and about one of them or the other.
I won't go into the story itself. You will have to read it (there is no way a summary can do justice to a Pratchett book -- it inevitably completely fails to hit the crucial point). Like in a lot of his books, there is not really any attempt to hide the moral(s) of the story; but, considering the moral(s), there does not appear to be any way of objecting to that. It stops short of becoming cloying, and being delivered in the Pratchettian (?) manner, I don't see how anyone could complain. (Someone probably will, though, knowing people.)
Now. Pratchett is ill. It seems tactless to bring it up, really. But he is. This it the first Discworld novel since I found out. I was worried. Very. Which is why I mention it. In order to say that mentioning Alzheimers seems entirely unnecessary (except the obligatory "please give heaps of money to research so that we do not lose this brilliant mind"). I was half expecting to see signs of a falling off. If nothing else, a new rhythm of writing should have had an impact. I found nothing. Just bubbly wit and damned good characters.
I laughed out loud quite often, felt warm and cuddly inside rather frequently, constantly attempted to read snatches aloud to my long-suffering boyfriend, watched in horror as the pages grew fewer, and yet when it was all over I felt quite satisfied. Apart from my ever-present urge to read more on Vetinari. show less
I worried some more when I noticed the back proclaimed that
`The thing about football -- the important thing about football -- is that it is not just about football.'
I really dislike football. And somehow I had managed to miss the fact that football played any part in this book. I show more had terrible visions of Moving Pictures with football substituted for film. I know. The lack of faith is disturbing. I am happy to say I was mistaken. It is tempting to do the trite thing and say something along the lines of "The important thing about Unseen Academicals is, despite the cover and the blurb, that it is really not just about football." (Of course, I wouldn't do that; I am just saying you could…)
It is one of the better Wizards-books, if not the best.
It is Pratchett as I love him. Wizards galore. Chasing the Megapode. Football on the side, yes, but it was football with Wizards (more importantly, Pratchett's Wizards), which makes all the difference in the world. And, if I may draw a comparison to Moving Pictures again, I always found that the problem with that book was that the main characters of the Hollywood storyline were sadly two-dimensional. Here, that is not the case. Perhaps because there is more to their story than football -- their characters are not dependent on it. Perhaps pies just make for better writing. Mr Nutt is one of my favourite single-book characters. Closely followed by a number of the rest of the cast. They even rival the regulars.
Vetinari. I have been worried about him. He was growing more amazing with each passing book, and it seemed he would have to hit the ceiling at some point -- I was worried it would kill him. I found that this book changed tack a little: Vetinari is not as inscrutable as he usually is. I enjoyed this, though. I find I want to go back and read other books over, just to check … something. I am not sure what. And he played very well off both Glenda and Lady Margolotta.
Rincewind, Ponder Stibbons (brilliant), the Librarian, Ridcully, the Dean -- all present and accounted for. As is Sam Vimes, although I could have survived seeing more of him (even if Vimes is always better in a Vimes-centered book, and this was not one of those). The same goes for Vetinari (and Death, for that matter), of course -- but then I would really be happier if Pratchett's books were all never-ending and about one of them or the other.
I won't go into the story itself. You will have to read it (there is no way a summary can do justice to a Pratchett book -- it inevitably completely fails to hit the crucial point). Like in a lot of his books, there is not really any attempt to hide the moral(s) of the story; but, considering the moral(s), there does not appear to be any way of objecting to that. It stops short of becoming cloying, and being delivered in the Pratchettian (?) manner, I don't see how anyone could complain. (Someone probably will, though, knowing people.)
Now. Pratchett is ill. It seems tactless to bring it up, really. But he is. This it the first Discworld novel since I found out. I was worried. Very. Which is why I mention it. In order to say that mentioning Alzheimers seems entirely unnecessary (except the obligatory "please give heaps of money to research so that we do not lose this brilliant mind"). I was half expecting to see signs of a falling off. If nothing else, a new rhythm of writing should have had an impact. I found nothing. Just bubbly wit and damned good characters.
I laughed out loud quite often, felt warm and cuddly inside rather frequently, constantly attempted to read snatches aloud to my long-suffering boyfriend, watched in horror as the pages grew fewer, and yet when it was all over I felt quite satisfied. Apart from my ever-present urge to read more on Vetinari. show less
Come for the foot-the-ball, stay for the funny banter
... and the sport too, if you like that sort of thing.
The wizards of Unseen University have ignored their responsibilities one too many times and are now forced to play a football match. Should they refuse, the consequences could be dire. Academic minds might be above many things, but fewer snacking privileges are not among them.
Luckily for the wizards, they don't actually need to be good at football, plus Lord Vetinari's adamant about forcing some civility into the rules: lynching the losing team members feels a bit much. Until, of course, Archchancellor Ridcully and the Archchancellor-formerly-known-as-the-Dean get into a pissing contest, and all bets are off.
Long story short, it's show more up to the little people (i.e. the staff) to save the day, because the nobs are clearly in over their heads.
I seem to have a habit of appreciating Discworld books significantly more on the second read. I'm not a football fan, and I seem to recall there being rather a lot of ball-kicking in here. Turns out I was wrong. As a matter of fact, the first, and most important, actual football match takes place past the 80% mark. So if you're wary about too much sports references, this should help. Alright, so there is an episode where we get to see a football match through the lens of a spectator experience: with lots of shoving and chanting, but it's just the one.
As far as a book from the Rincewind subseries goes, it has very little screen time for said wizard. So much so that it would be a stretch to even consider him a secondary character. Though he does provide one of the best quotes:
Instead, the stage is taken by Nutt and Glenda. One is an apprentice whose job is to dribble candles (yes, really), even though he has an encyclopaedia’s worth of general knowledge. The other is the night cook, who ensures that Unseen University's supply of pies never runs out. On the surface, neither character would seem all that interesting. Yet once they join forces to help the wizards play a passable game, the Disc might as well become their oyster.
It's the perfect unassuming friendship and love story, starring the most capable secondary characters. The ones who are generally overlooked for not having the looks, the smile, or even the right social presence for the magazines.
Score: 4.3/5
Significantly more amusing on the second read, complete with the occasional near-blank page ironically breaking the fourth wall asking "You think this is finished?" show less
... and the sport too, if you like that sort of thing.
The wizards of Unseen University have ignored their responsibilities one too many times and are now forced to play a football match. Should they refuse, the consequences could be dire. Academic minds might be above many things, but fewer snacking privileges are not among them.
Luckily for the wizards, they don't actually need to be good at football, plus Lord Vetinari's adamant about forcing some civility into the rules: lynching the losing team members feels a bit much. Until, of course, Archchancellor Ridcully and the Archchancellor-formerly-known-as-the-Dean get into a pissing contest, and all bets are off.
Long story short, it's show more up to the little people (i.e. the staff) to save the day, because the nobs are clearly in over their heads.
I seem to have a habit of appreciating Discworld books significantly more on the second read. I'm not a football fan, and I seem to recall there being rather a lot of ball-kicking in here. Turns out I was wrong. As a matter of fact, the first, and most important, actual football match takes place past the 80% mark. So if you're wary about too much sports references, this should help. Alright, so there is an episode where we get to see a football match through the lens of a spectator experience: with lots of shoving and chanting, but it's just the one.
As far as a book from the Rincewind subseries goes, it has very little screen time for said wizard. So much so that it would be a stretch to even consider him a secondary character. Though he does provide one of the best quotes:
'I would like permission to fetch a note from my mother, sir.'
Ridcully sighed. 'Rincewind, you once informed me, to my everlasting puzzlement, that you never knew your mother because she ran away before you were born. Distinctly remember writing it down in my diary. Would you like another try?'
'Permission to go and find my mother?'
Instead, the stage is taken by Nutt and Glenda. One is an apprentice whose job is to dribble candles (yes, really), even though he has an encyclopaedia’s worth of general knowledge. The other is the night cook, who ensures that Unseen University's supply of pies never runs out. On the surface, neither character would seem all that interesting. Yet once they join forces to help the wizards play a passable game, the Disc might as well become their oyster.
It's the perfect unassuming friendship and love story, starring the most capable secondary characters. The ones who are generally overlooked for not having the looks, the smile, or even the right social presence for the magazines.
Score: 4.3/5
Significantly more amusing on the second read, complete with the occasional near-blank page ironically breaking the fourth wall asking "You think this is finished?" show less
A wizards in Ankh-Morpork romp with the wizards being wizards and Vetinari being Vetinari. What's interesting is Nutt, the new species in the city, and Glenda who runs the night kitchen at UU. The plot is not one for surprises or actually significant reveals, though it makes the attempts, they don't much matter and in the end the tropes win.
After being a little disappointed with [b:Raising Steam|11275323|Raising Steam (Discworld, #40, Moist von Lipwig #3)|Terry Pratchett|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1375882313s/11275323.jpg|16202400], this is more like it! ‘Unseen Academicals’ centres on the wizards and their domestic servants. Although it’s listed as a Rincewind book, he has only brief cameos, as does the Luggage. This seems only fair, as the poor guy has been through enough. In any case, this is a tale of class conflict via sport in Ankh Morpork, with the wonderful combination of bad puns and clever social commentary one expects from Discworld novels. I can’t believe I’m actually typing this, but… the final game of football actually had me on the edge show more of my seat. Just goes to show that a good enough writer can use character, plot, and setting to get you invested in subjects that you’re aggressively disinterested by. (My attitude to sport is best summed up by the only book I’ve deliberately read about it: [b:Barbaric Sport: A Global Plague|14451264|Barbaric Sport A Global Plague|Marc Perelman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1340506870s/14451264.jpg|20093664].) Of course, I wasn’t invested in the game itself, but its wider implications. I become very fond of the new characters, especially Glenda and Nutt, and glad to see old friends, especially Ridcully, Ponder Stibbons, and Lord Vetinari. The most reliably hilarious character, however, was Dr Hix:
In short, I enjoyed the whole thing very much. Entertaining, thoughtful, absurd, occasionally moving, and inimitably Pratchett. show less
”Of course, they have tons of stuff in there that’s never really been looked at properly and the city was through a prudish period then and didn’t care to know about that sort of thing.”
“What, that men have tonkers?” said Dr Hix. “That sort of news gets out sooner or later.”
He looked around at the disapproving faces and added, “Skull ring, remember? Under college statute the head of the Department of Post-Mortem Communications is entitled, nay, required to make tasteless, divisive and moderately evil remarks. I’m sorry, but these are your rules.”
“Thank you, Doctor Hix. Your uncalled-for remarks are duly noted and appreciated.”
[...]
“And who hit me?”
A general shuffling and murmuring indicated that by democratic agreement this was a question that could best be answered by Dr. Hix.
“It was acceptable treachery under college statute, sir. Wouldn’t mind the whistle for the Dark Museum if no-one objects.”
“Quite so, quite so,” said Ridcully. “Saw the problem, sorted it out. Well done that man.”
“Do you think I could be allowed an evil chuckle, sir?”
Ridcully brushed himself down. “No.”
In short, I enjoyed the whole thing very much. Entertaining, thoughtful, absurd, occasionally moving, and inimitably Pratchett. show less
I wanted to like this book but it is incredibly uneven. Several plot elements start and go nowhere, like the entire plot element about the modeling and the garment districts. Some of the new characters (Juliet and Trev Likely) are uninteresting and unsympathetic. The character of Pepe didn't make any sense. The actual football match feels bolted on to a story that cannot seem to find its footing.
That is not to say it is all bad. The addition of Dr. Hix, head of Post-Mortem Communications, was an excellent addition to the Wizarding Cast. Anything with Mustrum Ridcully is rife with pure Discworld goodness. The new character of Mister Nutt as the poorly named Orc with a penchant for literature and "talking like a nob" is a complete show more delight.
Thankfully, the book is mostly Ridcully and Nutt and, for reading Discworld banter, it definitely has its moments. But if you need classic Discworld, I recommend the other new city books, the Truth, Going Postal and Making Money over Unseen Academicals. show less
That is not to say it is all bad. The addition of Dr. Hix, head of Post-Mortem Communications, was an excellent addition to the Wizarding Cast. Anything with Mustrum Ridcully is rife with pure Discworld goodness. The new character of Mister Nutt as the poorly named Orc with a penchant for literature and "talking like a nob" is a complete show more delight.
Thankfully, the book is mostly Ridcully and Nutt and, for reading Discworld banter, it definitely has its moments. But if you need classic Discworld, I recommend the other new city books, the Truth, Going Postal and Making Money over Unseen Academicals. show less
Every time I start reading a Pratchett, I always ask myself why? Then I get 20 pages or so in, and ahhh, yes, that's why. MT asked me what about his writing made the beginning such an obvious struggle when I end up laughing myself stupid through the rest, and I think - for this book at least - it's because he starts with so many random bits. I never quite know where he's headed or what's necessarily important, and it makes my brain ache.
But it's generally worth the ache, as it was with this one. Unseen Academicals, even though it's about football, or foot-the-ball, as it's known in Ankh Morpork, and soccer everywhere outside Europe and the UK, was possibly the ... earthiest, in terms of humor and innuendo, of all the Pratchett's I've show more read so far. It was hilarious, and there were a few parts about the football that I had to read to MT. Pratchett nails both the lunacy, and I suppose, the community of fanatical sports.
Underneath all that though, were rather endearing stories about 4 different people who start out only tangentially acquainted through work (although Glenda and Julia grew up together), but who come together to help the Unseen University build a football team, and consequently find their dreams.
This felt like a very sympathetic, dare I say, romantic?, Pratchett, and it was one of the few where I became invested in the characters' outcomes. Oddly, I'm not sure how I feel about Mr. Nutt's resolution. I think I'd have liked his ending more if Pratchett hadn't turned him into a future hero. Regardless, he was my favourite of the four. The wizards got all the best lines, though.
When I started, I feared it was going to take me an age to finish, but once I got past the randomness and the story coalesced, I really did not want to put it down.
I read this for Halloween Bingo 2022's Dark Academia square, as the book takes place entirely at the Unseen University. It would also work for Gallows Humor, oddly enough, Monsters might work (Mr. Nutt's potential), Spellbound, and Sword & Sorcery. show less
But it's generally worth the ache, as it was with this one. Unseen Academicals, even though it's about football, or foot-the-ball, as it's known in Ankh Morpork, and soccer everywhere outside Europe and the UK, was possibly the ... earthiest, in terms of humor and innuendo, of all the Pratchett's I've show more read so far. It was hilarious, and there were a few parts about the football that I had to read to MT. Pratchett nails both the lunacy, and I suppose, the community of fanatical sports.
Underneath all that though, were rather endearing stories about 4 different people who start out only tangentially acquainted through work (although Glenda and Julia grew up together), but who come together to help the Unseen University build a football team, and consequently find their dreams.
This felt like a very sympathetic, dare I say, romantic?, Pratchett, and it was one of the few where I became invested in the characters' outcomes. Oddly, I'm not sure how I feel about Mr. Nutt's resolution. I think I'd have liked his ending more if Pratchett hadn't turned him into a future hero. Regardless, he was my favourite of the four. The wizards got all the best lines, though.
When I started, I feared it was going to take me an age to finish, but once I got past the randomness and the story coalesced, I really did not want to put it down.
I read this for Halloween Bingo 2022's Dark Academia square, as the book takes place entirely at the Unseen University. It would also work for Gallows Humor, oddly enough, Monsters might work (Mr. Nutt's potential), Spellbound, and Sword & Sorcery. show less
What can I say? This was my second time reading this book. I loved it and I hated it. The business with Nutt is handled so oddly in the beginning. It's definitely a Discworld novel, although it bore evidence of not feeling like one in a few spots. My favorite part? The trip to Sto Lat.
It's a book about the wizards and football but it's almost not about that at all. It's about micromail and plowman's pie and bullies and bullying and finding your worth. And love. Without which none of the rest of it matters.
It's a book about the wizards and football but it's almost not about that at all. It's about micromail and plowman's pie and bullies and bullying and finding your worth. And love. Without which none of the rest of it matters.
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ThingScore 75
That professors are impractical, though, is rather old information. It's said that Einstein couldn't remember where he parked his car, but isn't it more important that he came up with the special theory of relativity? The stylistic razzle-dazzle notwithstanding, rehashing a cliche gets tiresome because whether it's a game or a novel, fans want to be surprised.
added by Shortride
I wouldn't call this the best Discworld novel ever. But it's in the top five.
added by lampbane
The secret of Terry Pratchett's comic fantasy isn't so much the wackiness of the fantasy as the reliability of the comedy. The very least you get in any of these 400 pages is amiable, agreeable chuntering, and there is an instructively regular provision of terrific lines.
added by Shortride
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Past Discussions
Unseen Academicals: the spoiler thread. Don't read if you haven't read it!! in All Things Discworldian - The Guild of Pratchett Fans (October 2011)
Unseen Academicals in All Things Discworldian - The Guild of Pratchett Fans (December 2009)
Author Information
422+ Works 580,751 Members
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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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Unseen Academicals
- Original title
- Unseen Academicals
- Alternate titles
- El Atlético Invisible (España) (Españ | a)
- Original publication date
- 2009-09-22
- People/Characters
- Mustrum Ridcully; Rincewind; The Chair of Indefinite Studies; Death [Discworld]; Hex; Drumknott (show all 21); John Hicks - Discworld; Mossy Lawn; The Lecturer in Recent Runes; The Librarian of Unseen University; Trevor Likely; Lady Margolotta; Nutt; Verity Pushpram; Rhys Rhysson; Ponder Stibbons; Glenda Sugarbean; Havelock Vetinari; Sam Vimes; Mrs. Whitlow; William de Worde
- Important places
- Ankh-Morpork, Discworld; Unseen University, Ankh-Morpork, Discworld
- Dedication
- This book is dedicated to Rob Wilkins, who typed most of it and had the good sense to laugh occasionally.
And to Colin Smythe for his encouragement.
The chant of the goddess Pedestriana is a parody of the wonder... (show all)ful poem 'Brahma' by Ralph Waldo Emerson, but of course you knew that anyway. - First words
- It was midnight in Ankh-Morpork's Royal Art Museum.*
- Quotations
- It is a well-known fact in any organization that, if you want a job done, you should give it to someone who is already very busy. It has been the cause of a number of homicides, and in one case the death of a senior director ... (show all)from having his head shut repeatedly in quite a small filing cabinet.
"If there is any kind of supreme being, I told myself, it is up to all of us to become his moral superior." (Veterinari) - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)It was another good day.
[final page]
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