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3rd out of 46 books
—
528 voters
Small Gods (Discworld #13)
'Just because you can't explain it, doesn't mean it's a miracle.'
Religion is a controversial business in the Discworld. Everyone has their own opinion, and indeed their own gods. Who come in all shapes and sizes. In such a competitive environment, there is a pressing need to make one's presence felt. And it's certainly not remotely helpful to be reduced to be appearing in...more
Religion is a controversial business in the Discworld. Everyone has their own opinion, and indeed their own gods. Who come in all shapes and sizes. In such a competitive environment, there is a pressing need to make one's presence felt. And it's certainly not remotely helpful to be reduced to be appearing in...more
Paperback, 400 pages
Published
August 1st 2005
by Corgi
(first published 1992)
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This was the first Pratchett book I read, and I'm glad of it. While it has the humor and satire that is inherent in all of the Discworld books, it also has something else - something to say. It was evident, even from the first time I read this book, that Pratchett had put some real heavy thinking into it.
This book is, as the title suggests, about gods. Where do they come from? Where do they go? What keeps them moving? Ordinarily, gods don't like this sort of question. People who think are not wh...more
This book is, as the title suggests, about gods. Where do they come from? Where do they go? What keeps them moving? Ordinarily, gods don't like this sort of question. People who think are not wh...more
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Nov 23, 2007
Monk
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy,
world_builders
This is the only Terry Pratchett book I've ever really been able to stomach. I've always found it odd that the stories of Discworld fail to strike home with me. I've tried to read several (Mort, The Color of Magic, Hogfather) and none have struck me enough within the first forty pages to keep reading.
This is the exception to the rule.
It covers the story of a forgotten god of the Discworld universe: the Great Turtle. Everyone knows about the Four Elephants holding up the great disc of the world,...more
This is the exception to the rule.
It covers the story of a forgotten god of the Discworld universe: the Great Turtle. Everyone knows about the Four Elephants holding up the great disc of the world,...more
4 likes · like · see review
Hands-down my favorite DiscWorld novel.
From the perfectly twisted and filigreed mind of Terry Pratchett we have a book that addresses why religion starts stupid and only gets dumber. And no religion is spared!
Brutha is a child-like novice in his religious order, and he will never achieve anything more than novice status. Until one day his god literally falls from the sky and realizes that Brutha is the only person in his entire religion who actually *believes* and isn't just going through the mo...more
From the perfectly twisted and filigreed mind of Terry Pratchett we have a book that addresses why religion starts stupid and only gets dumber. And no religion is spared!
Brutha is a child-like novice in his religious order, and he will never achieve anything more than novice status. Until one day his god literally falls from the sky and realizes that Brutha is the only person in his entire religion who actually *believes* and isn't just going through the mo...more
This wonderful standalone novel set in Terry Pratchett's Discworld starts with the idea that gods are only as powerful as their true believers. At the beginning of the novel a distant god who has long ignored his followers comes to awareness trapped in the body of a turtle. He has exactly one believer left; a naive farmboy. In order to stop being a turtle, he has to convince the farmboy that he's really a god, then get the boy to recruit more believers. As his campaign for new believers continue...more
An excerpt:
"It was the dreamtime. The unformed time.
The small gods chittered and whirred in the wilderness places, and the cold places, and the deep places. The swarmed in the darkness, without memory but driven by hope and lust for one thing, the one thing a god craves -- belief.
Then there was a day. In a sense, it was the first day.
Om had been aware of the shepherd for some ti--for a while. The flock had been wandering closer and closer. The rains had been sparse. Forage was scarce. Hungry mou...more
"It was the dreamtime. The unformed time.
The small gods chittered and whirred in the wilderness places, and the cold places, and the deep places. The swarmed in the darkness, without memory but driven by hope and lust for one thing, the one thing a god craves -- belief.
Then there was a day. In a sense, it was the first day.
Om had been aware of the shepherd for some ti--for a while. The flock had been wandering closer and closer. The rains had been sparse. Forage was scarce. Hungry mou...more
It started slowly, and I wasn't sure I was going to like it as well as some of Pratchett's other books. Then the story and the philosophical debates sucked me in and I loved it. It's a good story, but I think I may have to reread it for the theological and philosophical ideas Pratchett threw in. Yeah, someday people are going to read it and debate what he meant, and his ghost is going to be yelling "It's a work of fiction for Brutha's sake! Quit trying to read anything else into it!"
The turtle...more
The turtle...more
3 likes · like · see review
I am a Pratchett Fanatic. I buy all his books. This one is near the top of my list of favorite Pratchett books. I recommend it to everyone.[return][return]I describe it as The Catholic Church meets the Golden Age of Greece. The Catholic Church is represented by the Omnian Religion, Brutha, and the Great God Om (in the shape of a turtle). The Omnians believe that the Great God Om is the only True God and that the world is a sphere. The problem is that they are wrong on both points. There in fact...more
Because my life had become extremely stressful at the time I was reading this book, I decided to throw all reading rules and responsibilities to the wind and to throw myself into some comfort reading. I put aside the two or three books I was in the middle of, and should be reading, and bumped back into the queue the book I am supposed to be reading for my book club, the two books I borrowed from my dear friend, and the ten other books stacked up in my to-be-read pile. Instead, I walked myself ov...more
Terrific book, one of the best at grasping complex concepts and pulling them apart.
Pratchett uses great characters to illustrate debates, in this instance focusing on religion and its relationship with people.
Small Gods takes us on the journey of human error, ambition and reconciliation to show how well-meaning actions can turn sour within closed minds and societies.
Important messages uttered by the unlikely protagonist focus on the importance of broad knowledge (of other faiths) for harmony, o...more
Pratchett uses great characters to illustrate debates, in this instance focusing on religion and its relationship with people.
Small Gods takes us on the journey of human error, ambition and reconciliation to show how well-meaning actions can turn sour within closed minds and societies.
Important messages uttered by the unlikely protagonist focus on the importance of broad knowledge (of other faiths) for harmony, o...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Terry Pratchett makes you laugh so hard, you don't even realize you're learning something until it's too late.
This is one of his more overtly philosophical books and, in my opinion, it's also one of his best. As many other reviewers have pointed out, Small Gods is a stand-alone novel, so it can be read independently of the Discworld saga (although, a word of warning -- you might be hooked). Pratchett's dialogue and the cadence of his writing is enchanting. His plots, themes, and ideas are refres...more
This is one of his more overtly philosophical books and, in my opinion, it's also one of his best. As many other reviewers have pointed out, Small Gods is a stand-alone novel, so it can be read independently of the Discworld saga (although, a word of warning -- you might be hooked). Pratchett's dialogue and the cadence of his writing is enchanting. His plots, themes, and ideas are refres...more
I picked this up from the library when I was in need of some light-hearted comfort reading and had exhausted all of my usual list. Pratchett is always fantastic for readable, entertaining novels when you're in the mood for them, or for something a bit deeper if you look for it.
The trouble with Pratchett is that I have a couple of definite stand-outs (Mort; The Hogfather; Soul Music) and I find that the rest tend to blur together. Small Gods, however, has jumped straight into my list of favourite...more
The trouble with Pratchett is that I have a couple of definite stand-outs (Mort; The Hogfather; Soul Music) and I find that the rest tend to blur together. Small Gods, however, has jumped straight into my list of favourite...more
After reading "Small Gods", I'm now entirely convinced Terry Pratchett is the wisest man on earth. It's been a long time since I had read anything resembling science fiction or fantasy, not having dismissed the genres - Douglas Adams and Pratchett are some of my favourite authors -, but considering myself too "grown-up" for it. There is no denying that there is quite a lot of mediocre stuff amongst fantasy literature, as in any other genre, but that's why it's such a joy to read books like "Smal...more
this was my second attempt to enter disc World. My first attempt was Moving Picturesand while it is now one of my favorites, it was a tough starting book. it's densely packed with word play and i wasn't in on the joke yet. By the time i meandered back to disc world and ended up reading his book, i was in on the joke and prepared for the word play.
this book is recommended for people who love language and when authors are playful with language. this book made me think about religion and faith and...more
this book is recommended for people who love language and when authors are playful with language. this book made me think about religion and faith and...more
In many books, the main character needs his or her friends to get through his or her adventure/mission. In this book, Om needs believers to become more powerful. In a sense, this means Om needs friends to get through his adventure.
In the beginning of this book, Om is just a tortoise. While this may give the reader a humorous outlook on Om, considering he is a god, I think this symbolizes that, without other people's help, we are common and not very important. But, as the novel continues, Om get...more
In the beginning of this book, Om is just a tortoise. While this may give the reader a humorous outlook on Om, considering he is a god, I think this symbolizes that, without other people's help, we are common and not very important. But, as the novel continues, Om get...more
Oct 28, 2011
La Stamberga dei Lettori
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
daniele
Giusto per cominciare, comincio affermando che questo è uno dei migliori libri di Terry Pratchett tra quelli tradotti in Italia, in attesa di vedere nella nostra lingua anche perle come "Going Postal" e "The Last Continent". Il titolo italiano, "Tartarughe divine", è l'unica nota negativa, anche se piuttosto vistosa, di una edizione ben localizzata (tanto di cappello alla traduttrice Valentina Daniele che è riuscita nell'ardua impresa), lavoro tutt'altro che facile, visto che Sir Terry Pratchett...more
There once was a deity named Om who took the form of a bull or so people thought. However, the people began to turn away from his true teachings. Thus, the god who once was a bull (maybe) was reduced to the size of a tortoise. Now, this poor little tortoise found himself wandering through the desert. Hmm ... sound familiar? Perhaps. But I digress. The tortoise/god was attacked by an eagle, because eagles know that turtles make some kind of good eating. So the plan was to smash this turtle/god in...more
The powerful cult of the Great God Om rules an extensive theocratic empire, and rigidly enforces its every tenet and ritual in minute detail. The only problem? Nobody really believes in Om Himself any more, only in the rituals and rules of His cult. And since gods draw their power from the worship of their followers, Om now finds himself powerless and trapped in the form of a small turtle. The lowly acolyte Buthra, Om's last true believer, is the arrogant former deity's last hope.
Small Gods stan...more
Small Gods stan...more
Jul 18, 2010
Lisa (Harmonybites)
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone With a Sense of Humor
Recommended to Lisa (Harmonybites) by:
The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Ultimate Reading List
I had tried Pratchett more than once on friends' recommendations and just didn't click with him--never got far into one of his books. I decided to give this book 100 pages to see if it could hook me. I'm glad I did. I think it does take time to warm to this loopy flat world held up by four elephants standing on a turtle that swims in space. A world where Death talks in all caps. And the Ultimate Library has an orangutan librarian.
This novel is part of the Discworld universe that has 37 books to...more
This novel is part of the Discworld universe that has 37 books to...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Small Gods is, what the 13th Discworld book by Terry Pratchett? Like Pyramids, it's more of a stand alone book, with only few of the characters appearing in subsequent or previous books. It tells the story of Om, a god who decides to manifest himself physically on the Disk and is surprised to find himself trapped in the form of a lowly tortise due to a lack of followers. There are supposedly people who worship him, but everyone is sort of going along with the rote parts of the religion without r...more
My kids and I have discovered that Pratchett's Discworld books fall into several categories. The Night Watch books are invariably fascinating and entertaining. The books about wizards are somewhat amusing if they deal with the staff of Unseen University; those about Rincewind are not as much fun. The books about witches are an enjoyable read, better than Rincewind but not nearly as captivating as the Watch. And then there are the others, that have to do with miscellaneous features of Discworld:...more
Meet Brutha. He is not overly intelligent - in fact people think he is a bit nuts. But that might be because his god is trapped inside a tortoise, one he is carrying around and talking to. As it happens, he is right; and his mission, find some philosophers who can get the god out. Aroad trip is in order. Along the way they experience horrors such as the sea god, ship wrecks and war. All in all, another Discworld extravagant adventure, full of fantasy, humour and anticipation.
This is book thirtee...more
This is book thirtee...more
... Alzò gli occhi verso il Dio. "Ci aiuterai?"
"Tu non credi nemmeno in me!"
"Sì, ma sono un tipo pratico".
"E anche coraggioso, a dichiararti ateo davanti al tuo Dio".
"Questo non cambia niente, sai!" rispose Simony. "Non credere di potermi evitare solo perché esisti!"...
Pratchett questa volta ci porta nel mondo religioso di Mondo Disco. Ci presenta piccoli dei, all'affannosa ricerca di fedeli, e grandi dei, annoiati come solo i vip sanno essere. Tra di loro, il grande dio Om, alle prese con qualc...more
"Tu non credi nemmeno in me!"
"Sì, ma sono un tipo pratico".
"E anche coraggioso, a dichiararti ateo davanti al tuo Dio".
"Questo non cambia niente, sai!" rispose Simony. "Non credere di potermi evitare solo perché esisti!"...
Pratchett questa volta ci porta nel mondo religioso di Mondo Disco. Ci presenta piccoli dei, all'affannosa ricerca di fedeli, e grandi dei, annoiati come solo i vip sanno essere. Tra di loro, il grande dio Om, alle prese con qualc...more
Whoa. It's staggering the amount of stuff that Pratchett manages to cover. The main plot follows the Inquisition's evil mastermind Vorbis, who wants to inflict his religion on various other nearby countries. He is aided in his schemes by the young man Brutha who cannot read or write or sing, but has an eidetic memory, and also a very personal relationship with their god, Om, currently embodied in a tortoise.
That's plenty to be getting on with and would suffice a number of writers. But that's not...more
That's plenty to be getting on with and would suffice a number of writers. But that's not...more
6 likes · like · see review
Jul 25, 2011
Nenia Campbell
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
x-series-bk-13,
x-1990s
Brutha is a humble melon-grower for a local monastery. Nobody has ever paid him much attention before, so he is surprised when a tortoise falls from the sky into a nearby compost heap and immediately starts claiming that it is the great god Om, and he is the chosen prophet. Tortoises aren't much good for anything except eating (there's very good eating on them), and Brutha isn't much good for anything at all. Or so he thinks — but it turns out Brutha has some very unique properties. Properties t...more
May 26, 2012
Andrea Santucci
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy,
letture_2012
Mi sa che non sono un tipo da Terry Pratchett. Ho letto Il colore della magia un annetto fa e l'ho trovato pedante e noioso. Tartarughe divine era un regalo, accompagnato da eccellenti recensioni e da un'etichetta che lo indicava come l'assoluto capolavoro di Pratchett, il miglior romanzo della serie di Discworld.
Beh...
In realtà non mi è sembrato particolarmente divertente. In alcuni punti faceva sorridere, ma per i miei gusti l'umorismo di Pratchett stanca subito e, da solo, non è in grado di...more
Beh...
In realtà non mi è sembrato particolarmente divertente. In alcuni punti faceva sorridere, ma per i miei gusti l'umorismo di Pratchett stanca subito e, da solo, non è in grado di...more
If you want to boil this book down into a sentence, it's this: The Roman Catholic Church invades Ancient Greece. Of course, it's Discworld, not the Earth, but it's the clear allegory. To be fair, Omnia (worshipers of the Great God Om) can also be compared with fundamentalist Islam and fundamentalist Protestant Christianity as well, but the basic structure is of the Roman Catholic Church, and the Inquisition.
The trouble is, the people don't worship the god anymore, they worship the structure. On...more
The trouble is, the people don't worship the god anymore, they worship the structure. On...more
I love the Discworld books. They're funny and clever and easy as pie to read. Like candy for my brain, really.
"Small Gods" is about Brutha, a kid who is a novice at a monastery. He's not very bright and spends his free time working in the garden. Which is where he finds a turtle who speaks to him and turns out to be the Great God Om, who all the monks are supposedly worshipping. However, Om's lowly status as a turtle makes it painfully obvious that no one except maybe Brutha is actually worship...more
"Small Gods" is about Brutha, a kid who is a novice at a monastery. He's not very bright and spends his free time working in the garden. Which is where he finds a turtle who speaks to him and turns out to be the Great God Om, who all the monks are supposedly worshipping. However, Om's lowly status as a turtle makes it painfully obvious that no one except maybe Brutha is actually worship...more
Terry Pratchett has written a great many novels. At some point in my life (my teenage years), the works of Terry Pratchett (and Douglas Adams) were my main efforts at learning the English language.
Small Gods was my favourite.
Re-reading it now, many years later, I want to congratulate my earlier self, on recognising genious. Small Gods is the story of a tiny little cog (Brutha, a bit of an oaf, a Novice in a monastery, with the one remarkable gift of an almost savant type memory) and a tiny littl...more
Small Gods was my favourite.
Re-reading it now, many years later, I want to congratulate my earlier self, on recognising genious. Small Gods is the story of a tiny little cog (Brutha, a bit of an oaf, a Novice in a monastery, with the one remarkable gift of an almost savant type memory) and a tiny littl...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newest printing missing cover | 1 | 23 | Nov 23, 2012 04:44pm | |
| Goodreads Librari...: Couldn't find the quote in Terry Pratchett's Small Gods | 21 | 65 | Aug 22, 2012 07:03pm | |
| Enchanted Bookends: Small Gods | 3 | 4 | Apr 13, 2012 09:30pm |
Sir Terry Pratchett sold his first story when he was thirteen, which earned him enough money to buy a second-hand typewriter. His first novel, a humorous fantasy entitled The Carpet People, appeared in 1971 from the publisher Colin Smythe. Terry worked for many years as a journalist and press officer, writing in his spare time and publishing a number of novels, including his first Discworld novel,...more
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“Time is a drug. Too much of it kills you.”
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“His philosophy was a mixture of three famous schools -- the Cynics, the Stoics and the Epicureans -- and summed up all three of them in his famous phrase, 'You can't trust any bugger further than you can throw him, and there's nothing you can do about it, so let's have a drink.”
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