Subtle irony on the topic of religion and esotericism is not an easy thing. Especially when vampires are the topic. 'You mean vampirism is like… pyramid selling?' said Agnes. (p. 221) That's one of the many gemstones to be found in this book as like in any other of the Discworld novel series I have read. For the …
Read MoreThis book is kind of a jackpot for me: I like Terry Pratchett's Discworld, and I like Australia, oh sorry, I mean EcksEcksEcksEcks.¹ Reading this book, you feel the spirit of Down Under – even the Wizards are relaxed; and the guards, to Rincewind's astonishment and delight. This book is of course about loads of other …
Read MoreThis one was once again a recourse to old times. ‘Cakes and Ale’ was the first book in English language i bought voluntarily, at the age of about sixteen. My first attempt to read it failed already at the third page or so, I am not sure, why. So it went onto a book shelf and then moved from one flat to another. In this …
Read MoreLoving tiny little details? Then this book is right for you. George Dyson has collected a really huge pile of data, most of if personal facts of people more or less involved into the construction of first digital computers in the US. So, there is an alamanac of interesting but to some extent pointless trivia. The …
Read MoreNothing less than war is the main topic of the latest Discworld novel I have read. A most delicate issue, moral hazards are anywhere. This is another book of The Watch of Ankh-Mopork. The mob of the city demands war with Klatch (Discworld's Arabia), but three wise men (with mere help from others) fight war and win …
Read MoreAfter having read some serious (nevertheless excellent) books, I return to the serious unseriousness of the Discworld. Happily so. “Hogfather” has it all what should make it one of my favourites in the series: Death (General and of Rats), Susan Sto-Helit, Wizards, Hex. Additionally a brilliant (literally) villain …
Read MoreMy first computer-like device was a Phillips G7000 Video Console. For that also a cartridge named "Computer Programmer" was available, and my parents bought it for my brother and me. As a kid I was unable to cope with the complexity of its Assembly language; so the cartridge with the number "9" started to be my first …
Read MoreThe Discworld has returned. Much is said about it, but it does not become boring. And I think it will never get. Again Pratchett centers a story around great philosophical topics of mankind: Religious stories (Golems), Politics (the inner anarchist of the commander of the watch) or minorities (or how would you call …
Read MoreThis book has relationships to two books I have been reading earlier this year: It is the second one authored by Hemingway and the second classical American novel set at a World War stage. And in both cases I felt a lot of similarities. For "The Old Man and the Sea" it seems obvious, but also in Joseph Heller's "Catch …
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