A Novel Ian Likes: Small World by David Lodge

Persse McGarrigle is attending his first academic conference and is not enjoying it. Newly appointed to a tiny Irish university, he is keen to stretch his wings professionally and do some networking. But it all seems to be very disillusioning until he meets Angelica Pabst, a beautiful doctoral student, and is instantly smitten. However, the … Continue reading A Novel Ian Likes: Small World by David Lodge →

The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 7: Pyramids

In a lot of ways, Pyramids, the seventh Discworld novel, is a bold effort. It was the first book since Mort to introduce completely new characters without references to books gone by. We also get a closer look at the Assassin’s School, referenced in Wyrd Sisters, but given a life (ironically) of its own here. … Continue reading The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 7: Pyramids →

The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 6: Wyrd Sisters

While Sourcery saw the return of Rincewind to varying degrees of success, Wyrd Sisters sees the return of another established character, but with greater impact to the series as a whole. Granny Weatherwax had previously appeared in Equal Rites, third in the series, and was back for a second appearance. This time, though, she brought … Continue reading The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 6: Wyrd Sisters →

The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 5: Sourcery

It’s tempting to call Sourcery a return to the “roots” of Discworld after a couple of books away from them but, really, using the rest of the series for some perspective, they hadn’t actually gone too far from them. We get Rincewind and his lethal luggage back, as well as the return of the faculty … Continue reading The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 5: Sourcery →