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Interesting Times: A Novel of Discworld by…
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Interesting Times: A Novel of Discworld (original 1994; edition 2014)

by Terry Pratchett (Author)

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8,56580979 (3.98)170
Pratchett gives us the Discworld version of chaos theory and the Terracotta Army. Silly and fun. ( )
  electrascaife | May 22, 2018 |
English (72)  Spanish (3)  Norwegian (1)  Swedish (1)  German (1)  Polish (1)  All languages (79)
Showing 1-25 of 72 (next | show all)
The counterweight continent has sent a request for a great wizard and who else but Rincewind should meet the call?! Rincewind's adventures in the Aurient include meeting the Red Army, running into Cohen and his horde, and encountering countless butterflies.

My second favorite Rincewind novel, I love the exploration of ethical leadership and the Machiavellian manipulation by the Grand Vizier. ( )
  elorin | Mar 17, 2024 |
“You could say to the universe this is not fair. And the universe would say: Oh, isn’t it? Sorry.”

The gods have decided to play with Rincewind again, this time in a (not-quite) war-torn Ancient Asian inspired setting where they are trying to decide who the next emperor will be. And as usual, Rincewind manages to somehow get caught up in the middle of it! (And of course he's meant to be an all powerful wizzard which doesn't help matters much).

I think that this is the best we have seen Rincewind so far (and we even get to meet Twoflower again!). Although the earlier Rincewind books may not always be as strong I would definitely reccomend reading them first though due to how the characters are introduced - you get more background information in the earlier books. Be aware that Pratchett does make some questionable jokes in this one. Given Pratchett's other books I believe these are meant in a satirical fashion, but parts do maybe dig a little too much into stereotypes. I've seen some comments that people didn't like the mismatch of cultures, but I wasn't bothered by this. I don't know how much of this is because it's very common in African-inspired fantasy worlds (and I've seen far less of this kind of commentary in this case). (And hey, if you aren't trying to write historical fantasy or something it can help create a more unique world, assuming it's well done. This one could maybe have had a bit more nuance but I feel like I'm getting off track here).

I enjoyed a lot of the characters in this book. And we get more proof that there is a Dibbler everywhere! I do enjoy looking out for them in these more far-flung books. And The Luggage! Probably one of my favourite Discworld characters. (And I guess we get some potential background on how The Luggage exists despite the apparent rarity of sapient pearwood? I hope he (at least Rincewood think he's a he) find the love he seeks) I enjoyed seeing Rincewind get more confident here although obviously Fate doesn't like it! and getting to learn more about some of the first characters we met in Pratchett's books in the style that all but the first few are written in. ( )
  TheAceOfPages | Jan 4, 2024 |
Enn ein dásamleg vitleysa eftir Pratchett. Skemmtilegasta bókin um töframannsræfilinn Rincewind og hér er hann sendur í eitt elsta ríki Diskheims sem hefur mikil asísk ummerki. Villimaðurinn Cohen og 7 manna óvígur her hans ræðst sömuleiðis gegn ríkinu. Ekki má gleyma því að töfraakademían hefur fundið upp tölvu. ( )
  SkuliSael | Apr 28, 2022 |
Interesting Times is a perfectly pleasant read, containing all the usual Pratchett tropes. It is not, however, peak Pratchett, in which we learn something profound or useful through his work. Despite this we get a handful of good laughs, some great lines, a truly magnificent set-piece battle which sees seven very old men taking on an entire army, and more puns that you can shake a wizard's staff at. Not one of my favourites but by no means bad. ( )
  elahrairah | Dec 18, 2021 |
Ah, nothing like relaxing in a nice hot bath of Discworld. The Luggage arc is one of my favorite bits. With effort I managed not to read too much out loud to my husband. The mishmash of Chinese, Japanese and other east Asian cultures seemed weird but I suppose it's the same with Ankh Morpork which is a British/Austrian/etc. mishmash city.
( )
  Je9 | Aug 10, 2021 |
You've got to love a book that has you laughing & smiling right up to the last page. Endlessly entertaining & inventive. ( )
  Stephen.Lawton | Aug 7, 2021 |
Interesting Times is a fantastic Discworld novel, an excellent example of everything people expect when they talk about Terry Pratchett and the Discworld novels.

In a nutshell, Twoflower has taken everything he learned in The Color of Magic and The Light Fantastic and written a book about it. One thing leads to another and suddenly Rincewind is being summoned across the world to lead a revolution. The ending is a bit convenient, but it's really it's all about the journey, isn't it?

Characterwise, we have Rincewind (of course), but also the return of Twoflower Cohen the Barbarian. Great characters, just amusing as always. Especially when Cohen brings along some his entirely-too-old-but-don't-tell-them-that barbarian horde.

Also: Hex. More or less a magical computer, built on some spinning gears, ants, and a fishtank that may just have ended up sentient, it's amusing. I expect to see it again.

On the downside, there are a few times where you'll be listening along and suddenly... Wait, was that racist? The audiobook certainly doesn't help matters.

On the awesomeside: The Luggage has kids now. That's a thing.

Overall: probably my favorite Discworld book thus far (among only the Rincewind novels). It's not perfect, but it's getting there. ( )
  jpv0 | Jul 21, 2021 |
Whenever Rincewind shows up we're pretty much guaranteed some "interesting times..." Though I kind of feel bad for the old chap, since he clearly just wants to chill out on a deserted tropical island and eat potatoes in peace. ( )
  JaimieRiella | Feb 25, 2021 |
Another of Rincewind's "adventures". The Wizards in the academy at Ankmorpork received a request from the continent of HungHung for a Great Wizard. Guess who they send? Cohen the Barbarian and fellow warriors happen to be there too. Excitement ensues. ( )
  Angel.Tatum.Craddock | Dec 17, 2020 |
I love Pratchett and Rincewind. What more needs to be said? ( )
  lynnbyrdcpa | Dec 7, 2020 |
Another Great and entertaining book from Terry Pratchett. This one is harder for me to pick a 'main' thing that he is poking fun at other than 'government'. Had me laughing out loud several times. All have been great books and I have enjoyed them all. ( )
  readafew | Oct 12, 2020 |
A reread from 25 years ago, at first I was disappointed that this was another Rincewind story, as they tend to be weaker Discworld stories, but then along comes good old Cohen the Barbarian and his horde of six equally old barbarians plus Teacher, who is trying to teach them about civilisation (so that they can steal from it).
It just becomes delightfully silly, you know that if the odds are 700,000 to seven, then the poor army of 700,000 just don’t stand a chance! ( )
  CarltonC | Sep 25, 2020 |
The usual wonderful romp full of laughs. We had a little trouble with the depiction of what appeared to be a racist version of Asian culture. Otherwise fabulous use of the language and many laugh out loud moments. ( )
  njcur | Jul 28, 2020 |
Interesting Times
or,
When Cohen Established that Dynasty That Time
or,
Rincewind Gets a New Suit.

I really enjoyed this Pratchett, being one of the few people who actually think that Rincewind is a likable anti-hero, or rather, a good runner. But sometimes even good runners get caught in the affairs of Wizzards and revolution. Okay, maybe it's Wizards and if I count him, it's only Wizzard, but you get the idea. :)

Welcome to China-ish, buddy! The Emperor would like to meet you. Or chop off your legs so you can more easily search for that head that you just lost.

Classic Pratchett. And a welcome change from Ankh-Morpork. :) ( )
  bradleyhorner | Jun 1, 2020 |
A reread, to cheer myself up while we live in these interesting times. It worked. Rincewind may be the world's worst wizzard, but if Luck is on your side, you can overthrown an entire Empire... ( )
  atreic | Apr 2, 2020 |
The Disc World takes on the inscrutable east (mainly China) as Rincewind the Wizard is sent to the Counterweight Continent to save the situation. Two Flower, Cohen the Barbarian, Disembowel-Myself-Honorably Dibblah and the Luggage make an appearance as Pratchett makes many an awful pun.

"Interesting Times" isn't the best Disc World book but it's by no means the worst either. ( )
  MiaCulpa | Feb 14, 2020 |
Back when I first read Interesting Times, in the spring of 1998 when I was thirteen, I remember deciding that its title was misleading: this was the least interesting of all the books I’d read so far! In retrospect that was a little harsh, but it’s true that Interesting Times feels like a retrograde step after the sheer glory of Soul Music. After many books’ absence, we re-encounter the hapless Rincewind (last seen in Eric), who is snatched away from a life of desert-island contentment when Unseen University is confronted by a crisis that only he can solve. (Well, that’s the official line. The reality, as Rincewind knows only too well, is that they don’t want to risk any proper wizards.) A request has come from the mighty and secretive Counterweight Continent for ‘the Great Wizzard’ and, before you can say ‘travel insurance’, Rincewind finds himself up to the ears in a great clash of noble houses, revolution, insurrection, and some alarmingly familiar faces…

For the full review, please see my blog:
https://theidlewoman.net/2019/03/15/interesting-times-terry-pratchett/ ( )
  TheIdleWoman | Mar 24, 2019 |
Pratchett gives us the Discworld version of chaos theory and the Terracotta Army. Silly and fun. ( )
  electrascaife | May 22, 2018 |
I'm not a big Rincewind fan, but this is my favorite Rincewind book so far. Much fun. The Horde is a hoot. Good to see Twoflower again, too. 5/5 ( )
  MFenn | Apr 22, 2018 |
There is a curse.

They say:
May you live in interesting times.


The Agatean empire is sliding into chaos. The old Emperor is dying. Five noble families, the Hongs, the Sungs, the Tangs, the McSweeneys (very old established family) and the Fangs, gather their armies around the capital city of Hunghung in preparation for a war of succession. A revolutionary movement has begun by the peasants based on the mysterios text What I Did On My Holidays written about a place called Ank-More-Pork. There is also a barbarian invasion by the Silver Horde on it's way. A message has arrived at Unseen University requesting the "Great Wizzard" be sent to the Counterweight Continent immediately. In the interests of international relations the UU senior staff elect to send Rincewind to sort it all out since he has quite a knack for surviving adventures.

Interesting Times is the 17th Discworld novel and the 5th in the Rincewind sub-series. It is a direct sequel to the first two Discworld novels and, while it can be read out of order, I recommend having read those two first in order to have a good background on the major characters. I ended up enjoying this one a lot more than I expected. While there are no truly bad Discworld books, the Rincewind sub-series have been hit or miss for me. This one was a hit.

Many familiar faces make appearances. Rincewind is his cowardly self, trying to run away from pretty much everything. Cohen the Barbarian has renamed himself Ghengis Cohen. He and his Silver Horde are all set to pillage and plunder while Mr. Saveloy tries to show them a more civilized way of conquering. The Luggage is still there, though to a lesser extent. Twoflowers is back and he has daughters! Even Dibbler has his own Agatean counterpart, Disembowl-Myself-Honorably Dibblah.

The Counterweight Continent is the Discworld mashup of ancient China and Japan. Pratchett has fun playing with a lot of stereotypes, such as all Asians know martial arts, the great wall keeping everyone in, ninja and samurai, ancestral ghosts, sumo wrestlers, the caste society. This is also its downside as it makes the Agatean characters feel very one dimensional.

While it lacks the introspective depth of other Discworld novels, this installment is down right funny. It's culturally insensitive, idiotic, full of puns and there are parts that shouldn't be funny at all and yet they are. I would find myself chuckling out loud and just have to read off a line or two to my husband. ( )
4 vote Narilka | Nov 29, 2017 |
Rather a blah read not up to Pratchett's usual excellence. Less than stellar Wizzard (that's how his hat spells it) Rincewind is catapulted to the Contrary Continent, where he finds himself allied with Genghis Cohen and his Horde of Barbarians and the insurgent Red Army (whose revolutionary zeal is compromised by generations of civility) against the evil incarnate represented by the five families (the Tangs, the Fangs, the Hungs, the Sungs, and the McSweeneys) striving to fill the soon-to-be-vacated imperial throne. ( )
  dickmanikowski | Oct 26, 2017 |
This is definitely one of my favorite ricewind books. He is so funny, he is such an unlikely hero because hes not one but he still always manages to save everyone. ( )
  Samantha_D | Jul 16, 2017 |
What I expect from Pratchett-- a bit of a romp, some weird humour, completely farcical plot, maybe some commentary on parts of society. What I got - the stuff I was looking for, but with an aspect of racism that I hadn't expected. Not overt and nasty racism, more that kind of 'oh, those strange foreigners, look at how they do things differently'. And if it had just been a different within Disc country, that would have been relatively fine, but as it is a very thinly veiled Orient/China, it left me feeling a little on the uncomfortable side.

Probably one that I'll skip if I'm ever rereading all the Discworld books; probably one that I'll rehome at some point. ( )
  fred_mouse | Jun 4, 2017 |
Interesting Times is from the Rincewind subseries of Discworld. It’s been quite a few books since I’ve seen Rincewind, so it was fun to see him again. He always makes me laugh.

If you’ve read the earlier books, you may remember that Rincewind once had some adventures with Twoflower, a visitor from the Counterweight continent. In this book Rincewind finds himself, quite against his will of course, dropping in on the Counterweight continent and getting caught up in a revolution.

It was a lot of fun seeing Twoflower again, although we didn’t see as much of him as I would have liked. Cohen the Barbarian, an elderly hero, also shows up in this book along with his “horde” which consists of a bunch of other elderly barbarian heroes plus a former school teacher. I thought the horde was really funny. The book alternates, for the most part, between the stuff happening with Rincewind and the stuff happening with the horde.

There were some really funny parts in this book. October is full of business travel for me, and I was sitting in a hotel room trying very hard to stifle my laughter while reading the section where Rincewind tries to read a story written with pictograms [urinating dog, urinating dog]. It just got funnier the longer it went on. The story itself was ok. I didn’t think it wasn’t anything special, but the humor made up for it. ( )
  YouKneeK | Oct 12, 2016 |
Rincewind the 'wizzard' is sent to another country, which is the Discworld equivalent of a cross between China and Japan. He arrives as a revolution is underway.

Rincewind teams up with the ancient, but invincible barbarians and befriends the 'Red Army'. A series of unlikely happenings follow.

Good stuff, making some excellent points in a Pratchett kind of way, and an exciting story too. I didn't recall liking it all that much, but enjoyed it far more on re-reading after a couple of decades.

Latest full review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2021/01/interesting-times-by-terry-pratchet... ( )
  SueinCyprus | Jan 26, 2016 |
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