Rating: 
(53 reviews)
Author: Terry Pratchett
Publisher: HarperCollins
Product Description
The sea has taken everything.
Mau is the only one left after a giant wave sweeps his island village away. But when much is taken, something is returned, and somewhere in the jungle Daphne—a girl from the other side of the globe—is the sole survivor of a ship destroyed by the same wave.
Together the two confront the aftermath of catastrophe. Drawn by the smoke of Mau and Daphne’s sheltering fire, other refugees slowly arrive: children without parents, mothers without babies, husbands without wives—all of them hungry and all of them frightened. As Mau and Daphne struggle to keep the small band safe and fed, they defy ancestral spirits, challenge death himself, and uncover a long-hidden secret that literally turns the world upside down. . . .
Internationally revered storyteller Terry Pratchett presents a breathtaking adventure of survival and discovery, and of the courage required to forge new beliefs.
5 Comments
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As a dedicated Pratchett fan I was disappointed to find that this latest offering is not a Discworld novel and, in fact, is a complete departure from anything I have read of his before (and I think I’ve read EVERYTHING!). That being said, the story is good although lacking in the usual Pratchett witticisms and comedy, in fact lacking in anything definitively Pratchett at all. If you’re a Discworld fan and seeking another fix, this isn’t it. If you’re looking for a pleasant feel-good story but without the usual Pratchett bite, it’s a good read.
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A little disappointing, because I really miss the old Pratchett wit and humor. Still a very well written and thought provoking book, but Discworld fans will probably not find it very satisfying.
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The front flap of one of “Nation” author Terry Pratchett’s earlier books reads “In recent years [Discworld, his primary series] has split into “adult” and “children’s” series. The difference between them is that one deals with serious themes, while the other one is for adults.” Though “Nation” isn’t a Discworld book - it’s set on an island on an alternate Earth - it follows the pattern. A YA book, it’s really quite serious about growing up, critical thinking, and belief - the book’s biggest problem is that it’s Anvilicious in a way only Richard Dawkins could love.n
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What’s disappointing about this is though the latter half of the book is as emphatic as the first, it handles things more smoothly. The fault isn’t that the messages forms the entire plot scaffolding - there are times this works well - but that Pratchett feels the need to go on about it when he should let it demonstrate itself. Normally his YA novels handle this better. His trademark humor isn’t as present as usual either; the book undoubtedly has its moments and it’s not as serious as “Night Watch”, but they’re fewer and farther between than normal.n
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Which isn’t to say “Nation” is a bad book*; Pratchett’s previous books set a very high bar that most authors can’t meet. Mau, Daphne, and the rest of the book’s cast are wonderfully engaging people. This just isn’t the author’s best.n
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***1/2n
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(* I dislike Amazon’s “3 stars is negative” idea.)
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Nation may not be a typical Terry Pratchett book, and some people complained it was not too great, but I think they missed his point. As he wrote in his notes at the end, it does make you think. Maybe his usual side splitting story wasn’t in this but think what he was trying to say. n
I think he had something to say, and it was well worth reading Nation to find out what it was. Maybe those who didn’t like it should read it again, and this time really read it. I would recommend this book for adults and young adults more than the young readers. n
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This may be the finest thing Terry Pratchett has written, and that’s saying a lot. It’s a wonderful story in all respects, from characters to plot to the Big Ideas. The writing, especially, is beautiful, and I say that as a reader who adores the wink-and-nod satires of the Discworld series, from which this is quite different. Oh, it’s recognizably Mr. Pratchett wielding the pen, and developing ideas he’s addressed in other works (like religion, individuals’ role in the common good, and the power of stories), but we’re not in Ankh-Morpork anymore, Gaspode.n
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“The Nation” is funny and engaging and treats serious subjects seriously, but not solemnly. It shouldn’t be limited to the “young adult” category, although I’ll certainly be giving a copy to anyone of that description who crosses my path. This is one of the best works of fiction I’ve read lately. It really is wonderful.
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